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- Sara Donnellan | NJ.com
Looking for your next television obsession but feeling overwhelmed by the seemingly endless options? Look no further than this list of Emmy-nominated TV shows
The 2026 Emmy nominations were announced on July 8, offering viewers a roadmap of must-watch television
Of course, not all Emmy darlings are ideal for binging. HBO Max’s medical drama “The Pitt” is the most-nominated show of the year, but watching more than a couple episodes in a row might spike your anxiety. Then there are beloved comedies that simply have too many episodes for one weekend, like “Abbott Elementary” and “Hacks.”
Short, sweet and critically acclaimed, here are six Emmy-nominated TV shows that make for the perfect weekend binge
#1. ‘Widow’s Bay’
Number of episodes:10
Nominated for 19 Emmys including Outstanding Comedy Series, “Widow’s Bay” premiered in April. The comedy horror series has been renewed for season 2
“Widow’s Bay” is set on a fictional New England island with a long history of supernatural events. Matthew Rhys stars as Mayor Tom Loftis, who is stubbornly insistent on bringing tourism to the small town despite mounting evidence of a curse
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The laugh-out-loud funny, legitimately creepy series features a stellar ensemble cast. Rhys, Kate O’Flynn (Patricia Moyer), Dale Dickey (Rosemary) and Stephen Root (Wyck Crawford) all received acting nominations for their work in season 1
#2. ‘Pluribus’
Where to watch: Apple TV
Number of episodes: 9
“Pluribus” was nominated for 18 Emmys, including Outstanding Drama Series. Season 1 premiered in November 2025, and season 2 is expected to begin filming this fall
From “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” creator Vince Gilligan, “Pluribus” follows Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), one of only 13 people immune to the effects of “The Joining,” an event in which an alien virus transformed the rest of humanity into one hive mind. The science-fiction series manages to be darkly funny while raising deep philosophical questions about individuality vs. interconnectedness
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Rhea Seehorn (Carol Sturka), Karolina Wydra (Zosia) and Carlos Manuel Vesga (Manousos Oviedo) all received acting Emmy nominations. Seehorn won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Carol in January
#3. ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’
Where to watch: HBO Max
Number of episodes:6
Nominated for nine Emmys including Outstanding Drama Series, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is must-see TV for any “Game of Thrones” fan
The fantasy series takes place about 90 years before the events of “Game of Thrones” and about 80 years after the events of “House of the Dragon.” It’s a relatively peaceful time in Westeros, but there’s still plenty of action and bloodshed in “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.”
The HBO show, which premiered in January, follows hedge knight Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his young squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). Dunk is initially unaware that Egg is Prince Aegon Targaryen in disguise
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“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is much smaller in scale than “Game of Thrones.” Rather than epic battles, the drama centers on tournament jousts. Still, the show’s humorous, lighthearted tone turns darker in later episodes
Season 2 is expected to premiere in 2027
#4. ‘DTF St. Louis’
Where to watch: HBO Max
Number of episodes: 7
“DTF St. Louis,” which premiered in March, was nominated for 13 Emmys, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
The dark comedy follows three adults experiencing mid-life malaise, which leads to a love triangle between them. One of them ends up dead, and two detectives learn that his death is connected to a dating app for married couples seeking affairs
“DTF St. Louis” isn’t your average story of sex, lies and death. The quirky, often bizarre tone makes for a hilarious and memorable cautionary tale
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Jason Bateman (Clark Forrest), David Harbour (Floyd Smernitch), Linda Cardellini (Carol Love-Smernitch), Richard Jenkins (Detective Donoghue Homer) and Joy Sunday (Jodie Plumb) all received acting Emmy nominations
#5. ‘Task’
Where to watch: HBO Max
Number of episodes: 7
Nominated for six Emmys, “Task” follows Tom Brandis (Mark Ruffalo), an FBI agent and former Catholic priest who heads a task force investigating a series of armed robberies
Now is the perfect time to watch the gritty crime drama, because a recent casting decision has confirmed that “Task” is set in the same world as another popular HBO show. Julianne Nicholson will reprise her Emmy-winning “Mare of Easttown” role as Lori Ross in season 2 of “Task.” Filming for season 2 began earlier this month
Ruffalo earned an Emmy nomination for season 1 of “Task,” as did his costar Tom Pelphrey, who plays garbage collector and thief Robbie Prendergrast. The HBO series premiered in September 2025
#6. ‘The Beast in Me’
Where to watch: Netflix
Number of episodes: 8
“The Beast in Me,” which premiered in November 2025, was nominated for nine Emmys, including Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series
The psychological crime thriller follows author Aggie Wiggs (Claire Danes) as she begins writing a book about her new neighbor Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys), who allegedly killed his wife. Aggie is both terrified and fascinated by Nile, leading to a tense game of cat and mouse
Both Danes and Rhys received Emmy nominations for the series
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Also nominated for “Widow’s Bay,” Rhys is one of several actors who received two acting nominations this Emmy season. He’s in good company with Jason Bateman (“DTF St. Louis” and “Black Rabbit”), Nick Offerman (“Death by Lightning” and “Margo’s Got Money Troubles”), Laurie Metcalf (“Hacks” and “Monster: The Ed Gein Story”) and Colman Domingo (“The Four Seasons” and “Euphoria”)
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards are set to air on NBC and Peacock on Sunday, Sept. 14
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This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by Cleveland.com staff
