The time for television's most celebrated night has arrived. Following the excitement of the BAFTAs, Oscars, and Golden Globes, the industry now turns its attention toward the grandest stage for small-screen achievements: the Emmy Awards. Recently, Liza Colón-Zayas and Jeff Hiller took to the stage at the Academy's Saban Media Center to reveal the nominees for the upcoming 78th Emmys. Following an incredibly competitive year in television, a powerful trio of top-tier programs has emerged as the clear frontrunners for the upcoming ceremony.
HBO Max’s real-time medical drama The Pitt currently leads the field with a commanding 25 nominations, including an impressive 13 nods in acting categories alone. Meanwhile, the comedy series Hacks has officially cemented its place in Emmy history by securing 24 nominations, a tally that surpasses the previous record held by Schitt's Creek. Additionally, Apple TV has seen a surprising and significant boon with the horror-comedy Widow's Bay, fronted by Matthew Rhys, which secured a remarkable 19 nominations of its own.
Top Contenders and Notable Omissions
Trailing closely behind are Vince Gilligan’s Apple TV production Pluribus with 18 nominations and the second season of Netflix’s anthology show Beef with 16. While these titles dominate the major 2026 races, the conversation this year is equally focused on the notable absences. While programs like Heated Rivalry, The Vampire Lestat, and the final season of The Bear were ineligible, the major snubs involved the concluding runs of Stranger Things and Euphoria. The final chapter of Stranger Things was entirely shut out of the drama and acting categories, despite some recognition in technical fields. Euphoria fared similarly, with Colman Domingo and Zendaya’s acting nods accounting for two of only seven total nominations for its final season, with Sydney Sweeney notably missing from the list.
History-Making Moments
The list is filled with recognition for fan-favorites such as Spider-Noir (11 nominations), A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms (9), Shrinking (9), and Fallout (9). Fans were undoubtedly pleased to see Michael J. Fox’s return to acting in the series Shrinking earn the icon a nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series. This category also poignantly features a posthumous nod for the late Rob Reiner for his work in The Bear Season 4. Most impressively, the legendary David Attenborough has made history as the oldest Emmy nominee ever, earning two narrator nominations at the age of 100. The 78th Emmy Awards will take place at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, 14 September.
