It is officially Emmy season, and although phase one has been put to bed, the meat season, or phase two, has yet to take shape. And from early days, we can safely say that overall, the look and feel of the 2026 Emmy season is a bit like watching a rerun. This is not to say it is a bad thing, but as we look over this year’s contenders, it’s mostly a revisit of marquee names from previous years
In the drama category, last year’s winner, The Pitt, is in the frontrunner seat, though newcomer Pluribus, Vince Gilligan’s critically acclaimed but less seen darling starring Rhea Seehorn, isn’t far behind, and Keri Russell’s The Diplomatshould also be in the mix. There’s speculation about whether bubble contenders like Task, The Gilded Age, or Industry could break through after years of being ignored by the television academy, but this year’s biggest new show contenders mostly appear in the Comedy and Limited Series categories.
Hacksfinished out its run with another incredible season, making it hard to argue against it taking the top comedy prize, but there’s still drama to be had. Yes, Jean Smart is likely to walk away with yet another Emmy. But a new upstart show courtesy of Apple TV might also make some noise, as Widow’s Bay is a must-see series gaining popularity by word of mouth at just the right time. Additionally, shows like Rooster and another Apple TV show, Margo’s Got Money Trouble starring Elle Fanning, are making a case in several comedy categories.
For our money, the biggest contest is whether the long-suffering Harrison Ford will finally win a competitive prize for best supporting actor in a comedy series. After shows like The Bear and Hacks made him a non-contender for many years, Ford finally has a shot to win his first competitive award. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, let’s mark that yet again: Harrison Ford has never won a competitive prize at a major award show, which is an unforgivable injustice. His stellar work in Shrinking as Dr. Paul Rhoades, the patriarchal therapist with Parkinson’s, is some of the best acting of his career, and we, for one, are absolutely hoping that justice is finally served. Elsewhere, Michael J. Fox, the 5-time Emmy winner and 20-time nominee, is also poised to pull off a Best Guest Actor in a Comedy win for his work on the same show.
On the limited series side, it could be a clean sweep for Beef Season 2 with Cailee Spaeny, Charles Melton, Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, and series creator Lee Sung Jin all likely to be nominated and win their respective categories. The most interesting twist would be if Youn Yuh-jung, the Oscar winner from Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari, could grab an Emmy to place alongside her Oscar for her work in Beef. No matter who wins on Emmy night, we will be recapping all the events leading up to it
Read on for our predictions for the 78th annual Emmy nominations, and check back on our Awards Tour Hub for all Emmy and Awards News
Outstanding Comedy Series
Who will be nominated:HacksWidow’s BayAbbot ElementaryShrinkingOnly Murders in the Building
Woulda, coulda, shoulda:The Comeback,Rooster, Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Who will be nominated:Jean Smart – HacksLisa Kudrow – The ComebackQuinta Brunson – Abbott ElementaryAyo Edebiri – The BearElle Fanning – Margo’s Got Money Troubles
Woulda, coulda, shoulda:Kristen Bell – Nobody Wants This, Keke Palmer – The Burbs
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Who will be nominated:Adam Brody – Nobody Wants This Martin Short – Only Murders in the Building Jeremy Allen White – The Bear Steve Carell – RoosterMatthew Rhys – Widow’s Bay
Woulda, coulda, shoulda:Alexander Skarsgård – Murderbot, Ethan Hawke – The Lowdown, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II – Wonder Man
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Who will be nominated:Hannah Einbinder – HacksJanelle James – Abbott ElementaryJessica Williams –ShrinkingMichelle Pfeiffer – Margo’s Got Money TroublesSheryl Lee Ralph – Abbott ElementaryMeg Stalter –Hacks
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Who will be nominated:Harrison Ford – ShrinkingPaul W. Downs – HacksMichael Urie – ShrinkingNick Offerman – Margo’s Got Money TroublesEbon Moss-Bachrach – The BearBowen Yang – Saturday Night LiveShoulda, woulda, coulda:Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary, Stephen Root – Widow’s Bay
Outstanding Drama Series
Who will be nominated:The PittPluribusThe DiplomatSlow HorsesParadise
Shoulda, woulda, coulda:Made in Korea, Task
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Who will be nominated:Zendaya – EuphoriaRhea Seehorn – PluribusKeri Russell – The DiplomatCarrie Coon – The Gilded AgeJennifer Aniston – The Morning ShowShoulda, woulda, coulda:Chase Infiniti – The Testaments
Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Who will be nominated:Noah Wyle – The PittSterling K. Brown – ParadiseGary Oldman – Slow HorsesMark Ruffalo – TaskWalton Goggins – Fallout
Shoulda, woulda, coulda:Jon Hamm – Your Friends & Neighbors, Rufus Sewell – The Diplomat
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Who will be nominated:Katherine LaNasa – The PittKarolina Wydra – PluribusTaylor Dearden – The PittAllison Janney – The DiplomatSepideh Moafi – The PittChristine Baranski – The Gilded Age
Shoulda, woulda, coulda:Julianne Nicholson – Paradise
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Who will be nominated:Patrick Ball – The PittTom Pelphrey – TaskJack Lowden – Slow HorsesGerran Howell – The PittCarlos-Manuel Vesga – PluribusShawn Hatosy – The Pitt
Outstanding Limited Series
Who will be nominated:BeefThe Beast in MeAll Her FaultLove StorySt. Louis DTF
Shoulda, woulda, coulda:Half Man, Black Rabbit, Bait
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Who will be nominated:Oscar Isaac – BeefMatthew Rhys – The Beast in MeJamie Bell – Half ManCharlie Hunnam – Monster: The Ed Gein StoryPaul Anthony Kelly – Love Story
Shoulda, woulda, coulda:Jason Bateman – Black Rabbit, Riz Ahmed – Bait
Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Who will be nominated:Carey Mulligan – BeefSarah Snook – All Her FaultClaire Danes – The Beast in MeSarah Pidgeon – Love StorySally Field – Remarkably Bright Creatures
Shoulda, woulda, coulda:Kerry Washington – Imperfect Women, Tessa Thompson – His and Hers
Nominations for the 2026 Emmy Awards will be announced this Wednesday, July 8, at 8:30a.m. PT / 11:30a.m. ET
Find Something Fresh! Discover What to Watch, Read Reviews, Leave Ratings, and Build Watchlists. Download the Rotten Tomatoes App
