2026 Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Actor and Actress in a Drama or Comedy Series

Best Actor in a Drama Series

Will Win - Noah Wyle "The Pitt"

Could Win - Noah Wyle "The Pitt"

Should Win - Noah Wyle "The Pitt" or Mark Ruffalo "Task"

Commentary - This is Wyle's to lose, and I don't see how he does.

Best Actress in a Drama Series

Will Win - Rhea Seehorn "Pluribus"

Could Win - Keri Russell "The Diplomat" or Zendaya "Euphoria"

Should Win - Seehorn or Russell

Commentary - Finally, we get to hear Rhea Seehorn's name after "And the Emmy goes to...". Hopefully. But Zendaya is such a big star, and she has upset here before and Keri Russell's role won at SAG this year. Might not be the slam dunk we think. 

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

Will Win - Matthew Rhys "Widow's Bay"

Could Win - Martin Short "Only Murders in the Building"

Should Win - Rhys

Commentary - I think he has this one locked up.

Best Actress in a Comedy Series

Will Win - Jean Smart "Hacks"

Could Win - Lisa Kudrow "The Comeback"

Should Win - Kudrow or Smart

Commentary - Duh. 

2026 Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Supporting Actor and Actress in a Drama and Comedy Series

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Will Win - Patrick Ball "The Pitt"

Could Win - Tom Pelphrey "Task" or Shawn Hatosy "The Pitt"

Should Win - Patrick Ball "The Pitt"

Commentary - Patrick Ball is fantastic in The Pitt, but he has a lot of internal competition, including from last year's Guest Actor winner Shawn Hatosy, who has been bumped up to supporting. That could leave an opening for Tom Pelphrey, who is so good in Task. If he wants to upset, he will have to overcome his show being snubbed in Best Drama Series.

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Will Win - Katherine LaNasa "The Pitt"

Could Win - Karolina Wydra "Pluribus"

Should Win - LaNasa or Moafi

Commentary - Katherine LaNasa's Emmy win last year was so inspiring, and she really is the quiet yet fierce heart and soul of The Pitt. They love repeat winners, so I am sticking with her. But this year, with so many actresses nominated from The Pitt, watch out for Karolina Wydra to squeeze in an surprise. 

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Will Win - Stephen Root "Widow's Bay"

Could Win - Harrison Ford "Shrinking"

Should Win - Ford or Paul W. Downs "Hacks"

Commentary - Harrison Ford is a legend, he is great in Shrinking, and has never had enough awards recognition during his career. But if Jeff Hiller in the small (wonderful, by the way, this is not a slight) Somebody Somewhere can win over a living legend for a show nominated for Best Comedy Series, it might just not be meant to be. I would love to see Paul W. Downs win for his acting in Hacks, but I think this is Stephen Root's to lose as Widow's Bay surges at just the right time. 

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Will Win - Kate O'Flynn "Widow's Bay"

Could Win - Hannah Einbinder "Hacks"

Should Win - O'Flynn or Megan Stalter "Hacks"

Commentary - Voters clearly watched Widow's Bay, and if they did, Kate O'Flynn is the standout of the bunch. I think she wins as this show surges. Einbinder could repeat (and I would not be shocked if she did), but if voters are going Hacks, I would love to see a surprise win for the (FINALLY!) nominated Megan Stalter. 

2026 Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Directing and Writing in a Drama and Comedy Series

Best Directing in a Drama Series

Will Win - The Pitt - 12:00 p.m.

Could Win - Pluribus - We is Us or Slow Horses - Scars

Should Win - The Pitt - 12:00 p.m.

Commentary - The Pitt won last year without winning either Writing and Directing, both of which we interesting upsets. A lot of folks think that Pluribus' Pilot takes both of these categories, and it could, but if it does, that means its probably winning Best Drama Series, and I feel like The Pitt is still on top. I am going for a split, and think that the directors will want to reward the work of the show here. Also, after last year's win, watch out for a Slow Horses repeat. 

Best Writing in a Drama Series

Will Win - Pluribus - We is Us

Could Win - The Pitt - 12:00 p.m. 

Should Win - Pluribus - We is Us

Commentary - See Directing, but honestly, the writing feels like a better fit for Pluribus. 

Best Directing in a Comedy Series

Will Win - Widow's Bay - Welcome to Widow's Bay

Could Win - Hacks - Hacks (Finale)

Should Win - Widow's Bay - Welcome to Widow's Bay

Commentary - Two great shows, one new to the game and one leaving out on a high. Like in Drama, I think they split and honestly, that probably is how it should go. Widow's Bay for Directing, Hacks for Writing, and fun sprint to the finish for Best Comedy Series. 

Best Writing in a Comedy Series

Will Win - Hacks - Hacks (Finale)

Could Win - Widow's Bay - Welcome to Widow's Bay

Should Win - Hacks - Hacks (Finale)

Commentary - See Directing 

2026 Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Limited Series, Actor and Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Best Limited Series

Will Win - DTF St. Louis

Could Win - Beef

Should Win - DTF St. Louis

Commentary - Beef is still going to do very well, and could still pull it off. But after winning writing, directing, both supporting actor and actress, editing and cinematography, I have a feeling that DTF St. Louis is prime for an upset.

Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Will Win - Oscar Isaac "Beef"

Could Win - Matthew Rhys "The Beast in Me"

Should Win - Oscar Issac "Beef"

Commentary - Without DTF competition Isaac should easily win this, although the Matthew Rhys love could land a double Emmy night for him.

Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Will Win - Carey Mulligan "Beef"

Could Win - Sarah Snook "All Her Fault" or Sally Field "Remarkably Bright Creatures"

Should Win - Carey Mulligan "Beef"

Commentary - Snook had early wins and Field is a legend, but I expect Mulligan to pull this one out. 

18th Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association (GALECA) Dorian Television Award Winners

BEST TV DRAMA

Heated Rivalry (HBO Max)  

BEST TV COMEDY

Hacks (HBO Max)  

BEST LGBTQ TV SHOW

Heated Rivalry (HBO Max)

BEST TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES

Half Man (HBO Max)  

BEST NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE TV SHOW

Squid Game (Netflix)  

BEST LGBTQ NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE TV SHOW

The Boyfriend (Netflix)  

BEST WRITTEN TV SHOW

Hacks (HBO Max)  

BEST TV PERFORMANCE — DRAMA

Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus (Apple TV)  

BEST SUPPORTING TV PERFORMANCE — DRAMA

François Arnaud, Heated Rivalry (HBO Max)  

BEST TV PERFORMANCE — COMEDY

Jean Smart, Hacks (HBO Max)  

BEST SUPPORTING TV PERFORMANCE — COMEDY

Kate O’Flynn, Widow’s Bay (Apple TV)  

BEST TV MUSICAL PERFORMANCE

Bad Bunny, The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show  

BEST UNSUNG TV SHOW

Boots (Netflix) 

BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS SHOW

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS) 

BEST TV DOCUMENTARY OR DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Mr. Scorsese (Apple TV)  

BEST LGBTQ TV DOCUMENTARY OR DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery (Hulu)  

BEST GENRE TV SHOW

Widow’s Bay (Apple TV)  

BEST REALITY SHOW

The Traitors (Peacock)  

BEST ANIMATED SHOW

South Park (Paramount+)  

MOST VISUALLY STRIKING TV SHOW

(TIE) Alien: Earth (FX/Hulu) AND Pluribus (Apple TV) (

CAMPIEST TV SHOW

The Hunting Wives (Netflix)  

WILDE WIT AWARD

Hannah Einbinder 

GALECA TV ICON AWARD

Lisa Kudrow  

GALECA LGBTQIA+ TV TRAILBLAZER

Jacob Tierney 

2026 Television Critics Association (TCA) Award Winners

Program of the Year

Heated Rivalry, Crave/HBOMax

Outstanding Achievement in Comedy

Widow's Bay, AppleTV

Outstanding Achievement in Drama

The Pitt, HBO Max

Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries or Specials

Death by Lightning, Netflix

Individual Achievement in Drama

Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus, Apple TV

Individual Achievement in Comedy

Kate O'Flynn, Widow's Bay, Apple TV

Outstanding Achievement in News and Information

The American Revolution, PBS

Outstanding Achievement in Variety, Talk or Sketch

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CBS

Outstanding Achievement in Reality

The Traitors, Peacock

Outstanding Achievement in Family Programming

Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Disney+

Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming

Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical, Apple TV

Outstanding Achievement in Animation

Long Story Short, Netflix

Outstanding International Series

Squid Game, Netflix

Outstanding New Program

Widow's Bay, AppleTV

Heritage Award

In Living Color

Career Achievement

Stephen Colbert

2026 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys: Night Two

Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series - Ernest Harding Jr. "The Pitt"

Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series - Shailene Woodley "Paradise"

Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series - Rob Reiner "The Bear"

Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series - Betty Gilpin "Widow's Bay"

Best Movie - Remarkably Bright Creatures

Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie - David Harbour "DTF St. Louis"

Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie - Linda Cardellini "DTF St. Louis"

Best Directing in a Limited Series or Movie - DTF St. Louis

Best Writing in a Limited Series or Movie - DTF St. Louis

Best Animated Program - South Park

Best Character Voice-Over Performance - Julie Andrews "Bridgerton"

Best Casting for a Comedy Series - Widow's Bay

Best Casting for a Drama Series - The Pitt

Best Casting for a Limited Series or Movie - Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette

Best Choreography for a Scripted Series - Brooke Lipton "Palm Royale"

Best Cinematography for a Series (Half-Hour) - Widow's Bay

Best Cinematography for a Series (One Hour) - Spider-Noir

Best Cinematography for a Limited Series or Movie - DTF St. Louis

Best Contemporary Costumes for a Series - Margo's Got Money Troubles

Best Contemporary Costumes for a Limited Series or Movie - Beef

Best Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes - Fallout

Best Period Costumes - Palm Royale

Best Picture Editing for a Drama Series - Pluribus

Best Picture Editing for a Single-Camera Comedy Series - Hacks

Best Picture Editing for a Multi-Camera Comedy Series - Leanne

Best Picture Editing for a Limited Series or Movie - DTF St. Louis

Best Contemporary Hairstyling - Margo's Got Money Troubles

Best Period/Sci-Fi Hairstyling - Bridgerton

Best Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) - Margo's Got Money Troubles

Best Period or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) - Palm Royale

Best Prosthetic Makeup - The Pitt

Best Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) - Widow's Bay

Best Music Composition for a Limited Series or Movie (Original Dramatic Score) - The Beast in Me

Best Music Supervision - Widow's Bay

Best Original Music and Lyrics - The Pitt - Need Someone

Best Main Title Theme Music - Pluribus

Best Production Design for a Narrative Program (Half-Hour) - Widow's Bay

Best Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary Program - Pluribus

Best Production Design for a Narrative Period or Fantasy Program - Fallout

Best Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half Hour) - Widow's Bay

Best Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) - Spider-Noir

Best Sound Editing for a Limited Series or Movie - Beef

Best Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half Hour) - Widow's Bay

Best Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) - Pluribus

Best Sound Mixing for a Limited Series or Movie - Beef

Best Special Visual Effects for a Series or Movie - Stranger Things

Best Special Visual Effects for a Single Episode - Spider-Noir

Best Stunt Coordination for Drama Programming - The Boys

Best Stunt Coordination for Comedy Programming - Spider-Noir

Best Stunt Performance - A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Best Title Design - Spider-Noir

2026 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys: Night One

Best Variety Special (Live) - The Apple Music Super Bowl XL Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny

Best Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) - The Muppet Show

Best Structured Reality Series - Antiques Roadshow

Best Unstructured Reality Series - Love on the Spectrum

Best Host for a Reality Competition Program - Alan Cumming "The Traitors"

Best Directing for a Variety Series - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Best Directing for a Variety Special - The Apple Music Super Bowl XL Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny

Best Writing for a Variety Series - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Best Writing for a Variety Special - The Muppet Show

Best Directing for a Reality Program - The Traitors

Best Documentary or Nonfiction Series - Mr. Scorsese

Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special - My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay

Best Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special - Tucci in Italy

Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking - The Librarians

Best Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program - My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay

Best Writing for a Nonfiction Program - The Daily Show Presents: Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse"

Best Game Show - Jeopardy!

Best Host for a Game Show - Jimmy Kimmel "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?"

Best Narrator - Octavia Spencer "Lost Women of Alaska"

Best Emerging Media Program - Uncanny Alley: A New Day

Best Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series - Inside The Pitt

Best Short Form Comedy, Drama, or Variety Series - Colbert Before Air

Best Performer for a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series - Desi Lydic "The Daily Show: Desi Lydic Foxsplains" 

Best Casting for a Reality Program - Love on the Spectrum

Best Choreography for a Variety or Reality Program - The Apple Music Super Bowl XL Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny

Best Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program - Ocean with David Attenborough

Best Cinematography for Reality Program - The Traitors

Best Commercial - I'm Not Remarkable - Apple

Best Picture Editing for Variety Programming - The Muppet Show

Best Picture Editing for Variety Programming (Segment) - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Best Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program - Sean Combs: The Reckoning

Best Picture Editing for a Structured Reality Program - The Traitors

Best Picture Editing for an Unstructured Reality Program - Love on the Spectrum

Best Hairstyling for a Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Program - RuPaul's Drag Race

Best Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Series - The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

Best Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Special - The Apple Music Super Bowl XL Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny

Best Makeup for a Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Program - Saturday Night Live

Best Music Composition for a Documentary/Nonfiction or Reality Program (Original Dramatic Score) - John Candy: I Like Me

Best Music Direction - The Apple Music Super Bowl XL Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny

Best Production Design for a Variety or Reality Series - The Traitors

Best Production Design for a Variety Special - The Muppet Show

Best Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program - Ocean with David Attenborough

Best Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special - The Apple Music Super Bowl XL Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny

Best Sound Mixing for a Reality Program - Welcome to Wrexham

Best Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction Program - Billy Joel: And So it Goes

Best Technical and Camerawork for a Series - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Best Technical and Camerawork for a Special - The Apple Music Super Bowl XL Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny

2026 Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Television Movie, Guest Actor and Guest Actress in a Drama and Comedy Series

Best Television Movie

Will Win - Remarkably Bright Creatures

Could Win - Miss You, Love You

Should Win - Remarkably Bright Creatures

Commentary - In a weak category, the decent Remarkably Bright Creatures, which has the star power of Sally Field should triumph. 

Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Will Win - Colman Domingo "Euphoria"

Could Win - Ernest Harden Jr. "The Pitt", Jeff Kober "The Pitt", or Jeff Hiller "Pluribus"

Should Win - Ernest Harden Jr. "The Pitt"

Commentary - Colman Domingo is so well-liked, that I think he overcomes the Emmy crash out of Euphoria. However, The Pitt is so strong, so Kober or Harden could in, and do not discount Jeff Hiller. Recent winners often repeat. 

Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Will Win - Shailene Woodley "Paradise"

Could Win - Brittany Allen "The Pitt" or Tal Anderson "The Pitt"

Should Win - Shailene Woodley "Paradise"

Commentary - Woodley's performance really is a standout amongst the bunch, but the power of The Pitt could propel Allen (who has a great story) or Anderson to big Emmy wins.

Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Will Win - Michael J. Fox "Shrinking"

Could Win - Rob Reiner "The Bear", Hamish Linklater "Widow's Bay"

Should Win - Michael J. Fox "Shrinking"

Commentary - Michael J. Fox is an Emmy winning legend in a great role. But do not discount the posthumous power of Rob Reiner or the great turn from Hamish Linklater in a hot new series. 

Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Will Win - Betty Gilpin "Widow's Bay"

Could Win - Kaitlin Olson "Hacks" or Cherry Jones "Hacks"

Should Win - Kaitlin Olson "Hacks"

Commentary - There are just so many Hacks stars, that even standouts like Olson and Jones might be pulled back in favor of Betty Gilpin in Widow's Bay. 

2026 Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Directing, and Writing in a Limited Series or Movie

Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series/Movie

Will Win - David Harbour "DTF St. Louis"

Could Win - Charles Melton "Beef"

Should Win - David Harbour "DTF St. Louis"

Commentary - In terms of performance, Harbour's fantastic turn is the easy favorite. But watch out for a Beef sweep, which happens often, and Charles Melton coming along for the ride.

Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series/Movie

Will Win - Linda Cardellini "DTF St. Louis"

Could Win - Youn Yuh-jung "Beef" 

Should Win - Linda Cardellini "DTF St. Louis"

Commentary - A similar race to supporting actor, where Cardellini's bold performance stands out, but Oscar-winner YJ (who I also love, so I'm good either way) could win on the strength of Beef and these voters love Oscar winners.

Best Directing in a Limited Series/TV Movie

Will Win - DTF St. Louis

Could Win - Beef

Should Win - DTF St. Louis

Commentary - The explosiveness of DTF St. Louis feels like a perfect fit for the directors here. Also Beef could split votes with two submissions. 

Best Writing in a Limited Series/TV Movie

Will Win - Beef

Could Win - DTF St. Louis

Should Win - DTF St. Louis

Commentary - I think that DTF St. Louis is about to make a huge play for the top award. Beef still has the pedigree and the nominatins lead, and I think the writers will reward it no matter what happens in Limited Series.