First 2026 Emmy Winner Predictions

Best Drama Series - The Pitt

Best Comedy Series - Hacks

Best Actor in a Drama Series - Noah Wyle "The Pitt"

Best Actress in a Drama Series - Rhea Seehorn "Pluribus"

Best Actor in a Comedy Series - Matthew Rhys "Widow's Bay"

Best Actress in a Comedy Series - Jean Smart "Hacks"

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Patrick Ball "The Pitt"

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Katherine LaNasa "The Pitt"

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Paul W. Downs "Hacks"

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Hannah Einbinder "Hacks"

Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series - Ernest Harden 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 Directing in a Drama Series - The Pitt "12:00 P.M."

Best Writing in a Drama Series - The Pitt "12:00 P.M."

Best Directing in a Comedy Series - Hacks "Hacks"

Best Writing in a Comedy Series - Hacks "Hacks"

Best Limited Series - Beef

Best Television Movie - Remarkably Bright Creatures

Best Actor in a Limited Series/TV Movie - Oscar Issac "Beef"

Best Actress in a Limited Series/TV Movie - Carey Mulligan "Beef"

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

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

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

Best Writing in a Limited Series/TV Movie - Beef

Best Variety Series - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

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

Best Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) - Nikki Glaser: Good Girl

Best Directing in a Variety Series - Saturday Night Live

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

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

Best Writing in a Variety Special - Nikki Glaser: Good Girl

Best Reality Competition Series - The Traitors

Best Reality Host - Alan Cumming "The Traitors"

78th Primetime Emmy Award Nominations

BEST DRAMA SERIES

The Diplomat

The Gilded Age

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Paradise

The Pitt

Pluribus

Slow Horses

Your Friends & Neighbors

BEST COMEDY SERIES

Abbott Elementary

The Bear

Hacks

Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Nobody Wants This

Only Murders in the Building

Shrinking

Widow’s Bay

BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Sterling K. Brown, Paradise

Gary Oldman, Slow Horses

Mark Ruffalo, Task

Rufus Sewell, The Diplomat

Noah Wyle, The Pitt

BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Carrie Coon, The Gilded Age

Chase Infiniti, The Testaments

Keri Russell, The Diplomat

Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus

Zendaya, Euphoria

BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary

Ayo Edebiri, The Bear

Elle Fanning, Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Lisa Kudrow, The Comeback

Jean Smart, Hacks

BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Wonder Man

Steve Carell, Rooster

Matthew Rhys, Widow’s Bay

Jason Segel, Shrinking

Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Patrick Ball, The Pitt

Billy Crudup, The Morning Show

Shawn Hatosy, The Pitt

Gerran Howell, The Pitt

Jack Lowden, Slow Horses

Tom Pelphrey, Task

Carlos-Manuel Vesga, Pluribus

BES SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Taylor Dearden, The Pitt

Fiona Dourif, The Pitt

Allison Janney, The Diplomat

Katherine LaNasa, The Pitt

Sepideh Moafi, The Pitt

Julianne Nicholson, Paradise

Karolina Wydra, Pluribus

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Dale Dickey, Widow’s Bay

Hannah Einbinder, Hacks

Janelle James, Abbott Elementary

Kate O’Flynn, Widow’s Bay

Michelle Pfeiffer, Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Megan Stalter, Hacks

Jessica Williams, Shrinking

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Colman Domingo, The Four Seasons

Paul W. Downs, Hacks

Harrison Ford, Shrinking

Nick Offerman, Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Stephen Root, Widow’s Bay

Michael Urie, Shrinking

Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary

BEST GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Colman Domingo "Euphoria"

Ernest Harden Jr. "The Pitt"

Jeff Hiller "Pluribus"

Jeff Kober "The Pitt"

Jonathan Pryce "Slow Horses"

Bradley Whitford "The Diplomat"

BEST GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Brittany Allen "The Pitt"

Tal Anderson "The Pitt"

Tina Ivlev "The Pitt"

Miriam Shor "Pluribus"

Merritt Wever "The Gilded Age"

Shailene Woodley "Paradise"

BEST GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Michael J. Fox "Shrinking"

Brett Goldstein "Shrinking"

Hamish Linklater "Widow's Bay"

Christopher McDonald "Hacks"

Rob Reiner "The Bear"

Connor Storie "Saturday Night Live"

BEST GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Leslie Bibb "Hacks"

Jamie Lee Curtis "The Bear"

Betty Gilpin "Widow's Bay"

Cherry Jones "Hacks"

Laurie Metcalf "Hacks"

Kaitlin Olson "Hacks"

Lauren Weedman "Hacks"

BEST DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

The Gilded Age, “My Mind Is Up”

Paradise, “Exodus”

The Pitt, “12:00 P.M.”

Pluribus, “We Is Us”

Slow Horses, “Scars”

Task, “Out Beyond Ideas Of Wrongdoing and Rightdoing, There Is A River.”

BEST WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

The Diplomat, “Amagansett”

The Pitt, “1:00 P.M.”

The Pitt, “12:00 P.M.”

Pluribus, “We Is Us”

Slow Horses, “Scars”

Task, “A Still Small Voice”

BEST DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES

Abbott Elementary, “Ballgame”

The Bear, “Bears”

The Chair Company, “Life Goes By Too F**king Fast, It Really Does.”

Hacks, “Hacks (Finale)”

The Ms. Pat Show, “Give It Arrest”

Widow’s Bay, “Welcome To Widow’s Bay!”

BEST WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES

Abbott Elementary, “Team Building”

The Chair Company, “Life Goes By Too F**king Fast, It Really Does.”

The Comeback, “Valerie Does It All”

Hacks, “Hacks (Finale)”

Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat, “Mergers And Acquisitions”

Widow’s Bay, “Welcome To Widow’s Bay!”

BEST LIMITED SERIES

All Her Fault

The Beast in Me

Beef

DTF St. Louis

Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette

BEST TV MOVIE

Heads of State

Miss You, Love You

People We Meet on Vacation

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War

BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE

Riz Ahmed, Bait

Jason Bateman, Black Rabbit

Charlie Hunnam, Monster: The Ed Gein Story

Oscar Isaac, Beef

Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me

BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE

Claire Danes, The Beast in Me

Sally Field, Remarkably Bright Creatures

Carey Mulligan, Beef

Sarah Pidgeon, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette

Sarah Snook, All Her Fault

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE

Jason Bateman, DTF St. Louis

Richard Gadd, Half Man

David Harbour, DTF St. Louis

Richard Jenkins, DTF St. Louis

Charles Melton, Beef

Nick Offerman, Death By Lightning

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE

Linda Cardellini, DTF St. Louis

Dakota Fanning, All Her Fault

Laurie Metcalf, Monster: The Ed Gein Story

Joy Sunday, DTF St. Louis

Youn Yuh-jung , Beef

Constance Zimmer, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette

BEST DIRECTING FOR A LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE

Beef, “It Will Stay This Way and You Will Obey”

Beef, “Oh, The Comfort, The Inexpressible Comfort”

Black Rabbit, “The Black Rabbits”

DTF St. Louis

BEST WRITING FOR A LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE

All Her Fault, “Episode 8”

The Beast In Me, “Sick Puppy”

Beef, “All The Things We’re Never Going To Have”

Death by Lightning

DTF St. Louis

BEST VARIETY SERIES

The Daily Show

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

Saturday Night Live

BEST VARIETY SPECIAL (LIVE)

The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny

83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards

68th Annual Grammy Awards

The Oscars

The 78th Annual Tony Awards

BEST VARIETY SPECIAL (PRE-RECORDED)

Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable...

The Muppet Show

Nikki Glaser: Good Girl

Taylor Swift - The Eras Tour - The Final Show

Wicked: One Wonderful Night

BEST DIRECTING FOR A VARIETY SERIES

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Saturday Night Live

BEST WRITING IN A VARIETY SERIES

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

BEST DIRECTING IN A VARIETY SPECIAL

The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny

Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable...

Taylor Swift - The Eras Tour - The Final Show

The 78th Annual Tony Awards

Wanda Sykes: Legacy

BEST WRITING IN A VARIETY SPECIAL

Chris Fleming: Live at the Palace

The Muppet Show

Nikki Glaser: Good Girl

The Oscars

Wanda Sykes: Legacy

BEST REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM

Dancing With the Stars

RuPaul’s Drag Race

Survivor

Top Chef

The Traitors

BEST REALITY HOST

RuPaul Charles, RuPaul’s Drag Race

Alan Cumming, The Traitors

Kristen Kish, Top Chef

Ariana Madix, Love Island USA

Jeff Probst, Survivor

2026 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Final List

Best Drama Series

The Diplomat 

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Paradise

The Pitt

Pluribus

Slow Horses

Stranger Things

Task 

Best Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary

The Bear

The Comeback

Hacks

Margo's Got Money Troubles

Only Murders in the Building

Shrinking

Widow's Bay

Best Actor in a Drama Series

Sterling K. Brown "Paradise"

Walton Goggins "Fallout"

Gary Oldman "Slow Horses"

Mark Ruffalo "Task"

Noah Wyle "The Pitt"

Best Actress in a Drama Series

Kathy Bates "Matlock"

Carrie Coon "The Gilded Age"

Keri Russell "The Diplomat"

Rhea Seehorn "Pluribus"

Zendaya "Euphoria"

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

Steve Carell "Rooster"

Matthew Rhys "Widow's Bay"

Jason Segal "Shrinking"

Martin Short "Only Murders in the Building"

Jeremy Allen White "The Bear"

Best Actress in a Comedy Series

Quinta Brunson "Abbott Elementary"

Ayo Edebiri "The Bear"

Elle Fanning "Margo's Got Money Troubles"

Lisa Kudrow "The Comeback"

Jean Smart "Hacks"

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Patrick Ball "The Pitt"

Billy Crudup "The Morning Show"

Shawn Hatosy "The Pitt"

Gerran Howell "The Pitt"

Jack Lowden "Slow Horses"

Tom Pelphrey "Task"

Carlos Manuel-Vesga "Pluribus"

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Isa Briones "The Pitt"

Fiona Dourif "The Pitt"

Taylor Dreaden "The Pitt"

Allison Janney "The Diplomat"

Katherine LaNasa "The Pitt"

Sepideh Moafi "The Pitt"

Julianne Nicholson "Paradise"

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Paul W. Downs "Hacks"

Harrison Ford "Shrinking"

Ebon Moss-Bachrach "The Bear"

Nick Offerman "Margo's Got Money Troubles"

Stephen Root "Widow's Bay"

Michael Urie "Shrinking"

Tyler James Williams "Abbott Elementary"

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Hannah Einbinder "Hacks"

Janelle James "Abbott Elementary"

Kate O'Flynn "Widow's Bay"

Sheryl Lee Ralph "Abbott Elementary"

Michelle Pfeiffer "Margo's Got Money Troubles"

Meg Stalter "Hacks"

Jessica Williams "Shrinking"

Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Colman Domingo "Euphoria"

Eric Dane "Euphoria"

Ernest Harden Jr. "The Pitt"

Jeff Kober "The Pitt"

Jonathan Pryce "Slow Horses"

Bradley Whitford "The Diplomat"

Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Brittany Allen "The Pitt"

Tal Anderson "The Pitt"

Ayesha Harris "The Pitt"

Miriam Shor "Pluribus"

Merritt Wever "The Gilded Age"

Shailene Woodley "Paradise"

Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Jon Bernthal "The Bear"

Jeff Daniels "Shrinking"

Michael J. Fox "Shrinking"

Brett Goldstein "Shrinking"

Christopher MacDonald "Hacks"

Rob Reiner "The Bear"

Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Candice Bergen "Shrinking"

Lesley Bibb "Hacks"

Jamie Lee Curtis "The Bear"

Laurie Metcalf "Hacks"

Cherry Jones "Hacks"

Kaitlin Olson "Hacks"

Best Limited Series

The Beast in Me

Beef

DTF St Louis

Half Man

Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette

Best Television Movie

Deep Cover

People We Meet on Vacation

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Straw

Swiped

Best Actor in a Limited Series/TV Movie

Jamie Bell "Half Man"

Charlie Hunnam "Monster: The Ed Gein Story"

Paul Anthony Kelly "Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette"

Oscar Isaac "Beef"

Matthew Rhys "The Beast In Me"

Best Actress in a Limited Series/TV Movie

Claire Danes "The Beast In Me"

Sally Field "Remarkably Bright Creatures"

Carey Mulligan "Beef"

Sarah Pigeon "Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette"

Sarah Snook "All Her Fault"

Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series/TV Movie

Jason Bateman "DTF St. Louis"

Richard Gadd "Half Man"

David Harbour "DTF St. Louis"

Charles Melton "Beef"

Alessandro Nivola "Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette"

Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series/TV Movie

Linda Cardellini "DTF St. Louis"

Dakota Fanning "All Her Fault"

Laurie Metcalf "Monster: The Ed Gein Story"

Cailee Spaeny "Beef"

Naomi Watts "Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette"

Yuh-Jung Youn "Beef"

Best Competition Program

The Amazing Race

RuPaul's Drag Race

Survivor

Top Chef

The Traitors

Best Reality Host

RuPaul Charles "RuPaul's Drag Race"

Alan Cumming "The Traitors"

Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Kevin O'Leary, Barbara Corcoran, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, Daniel Lubetzky "Shark Tank"

Kristen Kish "Top Chef"

Jeff Probst "Survivor"

Best Variety Series

The Daily Show

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Saturday Night Live

2026 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Drama and Comedy Series

Best Drama Series

The Diplomat 

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Paradise

The Pitt

Pluribus

Slow Horses

Stranger Things

Task

Other Contenders - The Gilded Age, The Morning Show, Industry, Euphoria, Fallout, Landman, IT: Welcome to Derry, Matlock

Commentary - The Pitt, The Diplomat, Paradise, Pluribus, Task, Slow Horses. Six slots are locked and loaded. I think the good reviews and buzz behind A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will make it in, similar to House of Dragon's first season. After that, I don't know. Stranger Things has always overperformed and it was the last season. I have it in a shaky eighth place. The Gilded Age could easily make it in, as it really is unique in this bunch. The Morning Show, Euphoria, Fallout might still have some goodwill in their favor. Or maybe this is the year that popular and well-reviewed offerings like Landman, Welcome to Derry, or Industry make the cut. 

Best Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary

The Bear

The Comeback

Hacks

Margo's Got Money Troubles

Only Murders in the Building

Shrinking

Widow's Bay

Other Contenders - Rooster, Nobody Wants This, Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat, The Chair Company, Wednesday, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, Palm Royale, Big Mistakes, I Love LA, The Lowdown, Murderbot

Commentary - Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Hacks, Only Murders, and Shrinking. Five slots locked.  Two unproven newcomers are getting a lot of support, Widow's Bay and Margo, and I expect the well-received new season of The Comeback to get some support. Rooster, Nobody Wants This, Jury Duty, and The Chair Company are fun wildcards. Wednesday is a previous nominee, and I think The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, I Love LA, and The Lowdown are interesting newcomers.

2026 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Actor and Actress in a Drama Series

Best Actor in a Drama Series

Sterling K. Brown "Paradise"

Walton Goggins "Fallout"

Gary Oldman "Slow Horses"

Mark Ruffalo "Task"

Noah Wyle "The Pitt"

Other Contenders - Jon Hamm "Your Friends and Neighbors", Peter Claffey "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms", Rufus Sewell "The Diplomat", Billy Bob Thornton "Landman", Tom Hiddleston "The Night Manager"

Commentary - 

Best Actress in a Drama Series

Kathy Bates "Matlock"

Carrie Coon "The Gilded Age"

Keri Russell "The Diplomat"

Rhea Seehorn "Pluribus"

Zendaya "Euphoria"

Other Contenders - Chase Infiniti "The Testaments", Jennifer Aniston "The Morning Show", Michelle Pfeiffer "The Madison", Kristin Scott Thomas "Slow Horses", Myha'la "Industry", Christine Baranski "The Gilded Age", Reese Witherspoon "The Morning Show"

Commentary - Keri Russell and Rhea Seehorn are the locks, and the Emmy is between the two of them. The rest of this category is kind of a mess. I expect Zendaya to make it in again, as she is just popular, same with Carrie Coon and Kathy Bates. But none of their shows are going to be big contenders across the board. Chase Infiniti could make up for her Oscar snub, and voters could return to the dynamic duo of Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon despite the noticeable dip in The Morning Show's quality. Kristin Scott Thomas could sneak in, and I think despite the reviews that Michelle Pfeiffer could surprise. 

2026 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

Steve Carell "Rooster"

Matthew Rhys "Widow's Bay"

Jason Segal "Shrinking"

Martin Short "Only Murders in the Building"

Jeremy Allen White "The Bear"

Other Contenders - Steve Martin "Only Murders in the Building", Adam Brody "Nobody Wants This", Tim Robinson "The Chair Company", Yahya Abdul-Mateen II "Wonder Man", Ethan Hawke "The Lowdown", Tracy Morgan "The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins", Ted Danson "A Man on the Inside", Dan Levy "Big Mistakes"

Commentary - I think that seven guys could fight for five slots with a few wildcards. I feel good about Jason Segal and Martin Short. Both perennial nominees, and one of them might finally win in this category. Jeremy Allen White also still seems strong, despite the show's drop in Emmy fortunes. I am not sure about the overall possibility for Rooster, but Steve Carell is a favorite, and gives a great performance. Finally, recent winner Matthew Rhys is a newcomer to this race, but Widow's Bay has a ton of buzz. I still would not discount recent winners Steve Martin and Adam Brody, and other big nams like Tim Robinson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Ethan Hawke, Tracey Morgan, Ted Danson, and Dan Levy are bound to inspire some votes. 

Best Actress in a Comedy Series

Quinta Brunson "Abbott Elementary"

Ayo Edebiri "The Bear"

Elle Fanning "Margo's Got Money Troubles"

Lisa Kudrow "The Comeback"

Jean Smart "Hacks"

Other Contenders - Kristen Bell "Nobody Wants This", Kristen Wiig "Palm Royale", Jenna Ortega "Wednesday", Rachel Sennott "I Love LA", Keke Palmer "The 'Burbs", Selena Gomez "Only Murders in the Building", Kate Hudson "Running Point", Tina Fey "The Four Seasons", Maya Rudolph "Loot"

Commentary - Honestly, while I would never discount previous nominees for these same roles like Kristen Bell, Kristen Wiig, Selena Gomez, Maya Rudolph and Jenna Ortega. Nor discount big names like Rachel Sennott, Keke Palmer, Tina Fey, and Kate Hudson, when I looked at the final five, this just felt right. Probably Elle Fanning is the most vulnerable, but recent Oscar nominees always do well, and I think voters will reward Margo's Got Money Troubles across the board. 

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

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Patrick Ball "The Pitt"

Billy Crudup "The Morning Show"

Shawn Hatosy "The Pitt"

Gerran Howell "The Pitt"

Jack Lowden "Slow Horses"

Tom Pelphrey "Task"

Carlos Manuel-Vesga "Pluribus"

Other Contenders - James Marsden "Paradise", Dexter Sol Ansell "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms", Jacob Elrodi "Euphoria", Ken Leung "Industry", Kit Harington "Industry", Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje "Euphoria", Babou Ceesay "Alien: Earth"

Commentary - Can Billy Crudup keep getting in? Despite the ups and downs of The Morning Show, he is the one constant. I have three actors from The Pitt making the cut, with Howell being the weakest link (he's not in terms of talent, but its a tight race). Jack Lowden got it before, Tom Pelphrey is always a standout, and Manuel-Vesga held his own in a newcomer to the race. I think last year's nominee Marsden should not be discounted, neither should newcomer Ansell. Elrodi is a recent nominee, if Industry is ever recognized there are two talents waiting in the wings, and watch out for a Ceesay upset!

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Isa Briones "The Pitt"

Fiona Dourif "The Pitt"

Taylor Dreaden "The Pitt"

Allison Janney "The Diplomat"

Katherine LaNasa "The Pitt"

Sepideh Moafi "The Pitt"

Julianne Nicholson "Paradise"

Other Contenders - Karolina Wydra "Pluribus", Emilia Jones "Task", Sydney Sweeney "Euphoria", Marisa Abela "Industry", Ann Dowd "The Testaments", Supriya Ganesh "The Pitt", Nichole Beharie "The Morning Show", Karen Pittman "The Morning Show", Winona Ryder "Stranger Things"

Commentary - Is five from The Pitt to much? Probably, but honestly, I couldn't pick four, so I included all five. I also included Emmy favorites Julianne Nicholson and Allison Janney. That means I left out Karolina Wydra, and after Janney was snubbed last year, maybe I am including the wrong contender? I also think that Jons, Abela, Sweeney, Dowd, Beharie and Pittman are possibilities. And is Ganesh the fifth contender for The Pitt? 

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

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Paul W. Downs "Hacks"

Harrison Ford "Shrinking"

Ebon Moss-Bachrach "The Bear"

Nick Offerman "Margo's Got Money Troubles"

Stephen Root "Widow's Bay"

Michael Urie "Shrinking"

Tyler James Williams "Abbott Elementary",

Other Contenders - Bowen Yang "Saturday Night Live", Colman Domingo "The Four Seasons", Ted McGinley "Shrinking", Marcello Hernandez "Saturday Night Live", Daniel Radcliffe "The Rise and Fall of Reggie Dinkins", Chris Perfetti "Abbott Elementary"

Commentary - Downs, Ford, and Urie feel like locks. Everyone else could be interchangeable. Nick Offerman is a multi-nominee, and the new kid on the block. Tyler James Williams and Ebon Moss-Bachrach have been consistent, but the shows are starting to age. Stephen Root was nominated back in the Barry days, again the new kid on the block, so no precedent. I think last year's nominees Yang and Domingo could easily get back in, and I would watch out for McGinley, Hernandez, Radcliffe, and the ever overlooked Chris Perfetti. 

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Hannah Einbinder "Hacks"

Janelle James "Abbott Elementary"

Kate O'Flynn "Widow's Bay"

Sheryl Lee Ralph "Abbott Elementary"

Michelle Pfeiffer "Margo's Got Money Troubles"

Meg Stalter "Hacks"

Jessica Williams "Shrinking"

Other Contenders - Carol Burnett "Palm Royale", Ashley Padilla "Saturday Night Live", Liza Colon-Zayas "The Bear", Danielle Deadwyler "Rooster", Laurie Metcalf "Big Mistakes", Robby Hoffman "Hacks", Meryl Streep "Only Murders in the Building", K Callan "Widow's Bay", Dale Dickey "Widow's Bay", Lisa Ann Walter "Abbott Elementary", Erika Alexander "The Rise and Fall of Reggie Dinkins"

Commentary - Am I stupid to leave out Carol Burnett? Probably, because if anyone can overcome the Palm Royale cancellation, it is the living legend. Instead, I feel like voters are going to move on. I expect perennial favorites like Einbinder, James, and Ralph to get back in, and be joined by the legendary Michelle Pfeiffer. Kate O'Flynn is a bit of a wildcard, but if voters are in on Widow's Bay, then she is in the race. Finally, I am going out on a limb for one of my personal favorites Meg Stalter, who is a consistent and overlooked standout on Hacks. But you still have Burnett, previous winner Colon-Zayas, and big names like Metcalf and Streep. Robby Hoffman is a previous nominee for this role, Padilla is a SNL breakout, Callan and Dickey could join O'Flynn, and I hold eternal hope for Lisa Ann Walter and Erika Alexander, who both deserve recognition. 

2026 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Guest Actor and Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Colman Domingo "Euphoria"

Eric Dane "Euphoria"

Ernest Harden Jr. "The Pitt"

Jeff Kober "The Pitt"

Jonathan Pryce "Slow Horses"

Bradley Whitford "The Diplomat"

Other Contenders - Jeff Hiller "Pluribus", Giancarlo Esposito "The Boys", Samba Schutte "Pluribus", Jeremy Irons "The Morning Show", 

Commentary - I think the power of Colman Domingo will get him in, even if voters have moved on (hopefully they have) from Euphoria overall. Same for the late great Eric Dane, who deserves some posthumous recognition for a stellar television career. Bradley Whitford in a big Drama Series contender seems like a no brainer. Pryce has been nominated recently for this role, and I expect the power of The Pitt to bring in Harden Jr. and Kober. But that leaves recent winner Jeff Hiller, Emmy favorite Esposito on the outside of the race. 

Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Brittany Allen "The Pitt"

Tal Anderson "The Pitt"

Ayesha Harris "The Pitt"

Miriam Shor "Pluribus"

Merritt Wever "The Gilded Age"

Shailene Woodley "Paradise"

Other Contenders - Elisabeth Moss "The Testaments", Tina Ivlev "The Pitt", Danielle Deadwyler "Euphoria", Priscilla Delgado "Euphoria", Isabella Rosellini "The Beauty", 

Commentary - I expect The Pitt to do extremely well here, with Allen and Anderson feeling really solid, and Harris as a potential surprise third in this category. Buzz has built for the rolls of Miriam Shor and Shailene Woodley, and both series are big contenders in other categories. The last slot is based on name alone. Emmy voters love Merritt Wever, the same could be said for a close seventh Elisabeth Moss, even though I am not sure about their series overall love. The same could also be said for the legendary Isabella Rosellini and The Beauty. Ivley could bring a fourth Pitt Actress, and if Euphoria still is strong, then watch out for Deadwyler and Delgado. 

2026 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Guest Actor and Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Jon Bernthal "The Bear"

Jeff Daniels "Shrinking"

Michael J. Fox "Shrinking"

Brett Goldstein "Shrinking"

Christopher MacDonald "Hacks"

Rob Reiner "The Bear"

Other Contenders - Connor Storrie "Saturday Night Live", Ryan Gosling "Saturday Night Live", Andrew Scott "The Comeback", Hamlish Linklater "Widow's Bay", James Burrows "The Comeback", Colman Domingo "Saturday Night Live", Peter Dinklage "The Lowdown", Tony Goldwyn "Hacks", Christopher Briney "Hacks"

Commentary - A lot of big names, and previous Emmy winners could populate this race. Recent winners Brett Goldstein and Jon Bernthal feel like easy nominees. I also expect the Emmy favorites Jeff Daniels and Michael J. Fox to inspire a lot of votes. I also think that Rob Reiner will get a posthumous nod after his tragic death. Finally, I put Christopher MacDonald back into my top five. This is an oddly weak year, and Hacks strong final season should play well across the categories. I had Connor Storrie, and if he gets in, it showcases the buzz and strength of Heated Rivalry. Also I am on the lookout for Ryan Gosling, Andrew Scott, Colman Domingo, Hamlish Linkalter, James Burrows, Peter Dinklage and Tony Goldwyn. All are big names in buzzed projects that could surprise. Especially in the Guest categories which are known for their surprises. 

Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Candice Bergen "Shrinking"

Lesley Bibb "Hacks"

Jamie Lee Curtis "The Bear"

Laurie Metcalf "Hacks"

Cherry Jones "Hacks"

Kaitlin Olson "Hacks"

Other Contenders - Amy Poehler "Saturday Night Live", Betty Gilpin "Widow's Bay", Lauren Weedman "Hacks", Ariana Grande "Saturday Night Live", Connie Britton "Rooster", Ayo Edebiri "I Love LA", Melissa McCarthy "Saturday Night Live", Jane Adams "Hacks", Anna Konkle "Hacks", 

Commentary - Is Hacks really taking four slots? I'm not completely sold on it, but I think it is going to do well. I also included the legends Jamie Lee Curtis and Candice Bergen for buzzy roles in top contenders. If they decide to spread the love, SNL has Amy Poehler, Melissa McCarthy, and Ariana Grande. Betty Gilpin is a recently Emmy favorite, as are Connie Britton and Ayo Edebiri. Also, there could be more Hacks people! Don't discount recent nominee Jane Adams and Anna Konkle.