The 78th Primetime Emmy Nominations have been announced, and they reveal a story about a changing television landscape. HBO’s medical drama The Pitt is the undeniable heavyweight with 25 nominations, while Hacks shattered records in its final season. But the biggest drama isn’t just on the screen, it’s in the surprising snubs that left some of the biggest names in television on the outside looking in.
A Morning of Triumphs: The Usual Suspects and Breakout Hits
Awards morning, a sunny July day, dawned bright for a familiar roster of shows. The nominations were announced by last year’s winners, Liza Colón-Zayas and Jeff Hiller, but the real story was in the numbers that followed. When the dust settled, two shows stood head and shoulders above the rest.
The Pitt continued its dominance, leading the entire field with a staggering 25 nominations for its second season, a huge leap from its already impressive 13 nominations the previous year. The medical drama, praised for its gritty, real-time storytelling, seems poised to repeat its win for Outstanding Drama Series. Its success spilled over into acting categories, with an astounding 13 nominations for its cast, including repeat nods for Noah Wyle, Katherine LaNasa, Shawn Hatosy, and newcomers like Taylor Dearden and Sepideh Moafi.
On the comedy side, Hacks ended its five-season run with a bang, breaking Schitt’s Creek’s record for the most nominations for a comedy season with 24 nods. The critically beloved series is expected to reclaim the Outstanding Comedy Series crown it lost to The Studio last year. At the heart of its success is the legendary Jean Smart, who’s favored to win her fifth consecutive Lead Actress in a Comedy Series award for her portrayal of Deborah Vance. The “Hacks” love was so strong that it’s likely to dominate the supporting categories too.
However, the most surprising triumph of the morning came from Apple TV+’s Widow’s Bay. The late-breaking horror-comedy, whose finale aired just weeks before the eligibility deadline, benefited from massive “recency bias” to secure 19 nominations. Its impressive haul, including a Best Comedy Series nomination and acting nods for its cast led by Matthew Rhys, cemented Apple TV+’s status as a major player in prestige television, even as its total nominations (87) lagged behind the leaders.
The Great Snub and the Shifting Tide
If triumphs were the headline, the shockwaves from this year’s snubs were the real story. The 2026 nominations might be best remembered for the legendary names left off the list.
The most jaw-dropping omission was the final season of Netflix’s Stranger Things. Despite massive hype and being a reliable nominee in previous years, the blockbuster was completely shut out of Outstanding Drama Series and all major acting categories. It was a staggering fall from grace for one of the biggest shows on television.
Even more surprising was the near-total shutout of FX’s The Bear. The show, which once set records, was effectively “demoted.” While it earned a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series and a nod for Ayo Edebiri in the Lead Actress category, its star, Jeremy Allen White, was completely snubbed, as were previous winners Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Liza Colón-Zayas. It’s a sharp reversal of fortune for a show that had become an awards darling.
The snubs reached major stars and beloved shows. Despite a heavy campaign, the entire Taylor Sheridan universe, including Michelle Pfeiffer’s highly anticipated The Madison, was ignored. And in a decision that raised eyebrows, Sydney Sweeney was overlooked for her performance in the final season of Euphoria, while her co-star Zendaya received another nomination. The show, overall, was largely shut out of the major categories.
This narrative of shifting fortunes was reflected in the network totals. While HBO/HBO Max led with 122 nominations and Netflix followed with 111, the bulk of Netflix’s nominations were in technical and limited-series categories. The major program categories told a different story, with HBO and Apple TV+ dominating and leaving Netflix notably absent.
Immediate Predictions: Who Will Win?
With the nominations set, the focus now shifts to the winners. Based on nomination strength and industry buzz, a clear picture of the frontrunners is forming, though the race is far from over.
In Outstanding Drama Series, The Pitt is the clear favorite and is expected to win. Its massive nomination haul and critical acclaim make it the show to beat, though Vince Gilligan’s Pluribus is a strong dark horse.
The Outstanding Comedy Series race seems to be Hacks’ to lose. Its record-breaking nominations and status as a beloved series in its final season create a powerful narrative for voters. However, Widow’s Bay’s late-breaking surge could pose a threat.
The acting races are shaping up to be a mix of likely victories and potential upsets.
CategoryFrontrunnerBest ChanceLead Actor (Drama)Noah Wyle (The Pitt) Gary Oldman (Slow Horses) Lead Actress (Drama)Rhea Seehorn (Pluribus) Chase Infiniti (The Testaments) or Zendaya (Euphoria) Lead Actor (Comedy)Matthew Rhys (Widow’s Bay) Martin Short (Only Murders) Lead Actress (Comedy)Jean Smart (Hacks) Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary)
In the supporting categories, The Pitt and Hacks are expected to dominate, splitting the wins. The Supporting Actor in a Drama Series race is especially crowded, with two-time winner Billy Crudup from The Morning Show and Task standout Tom Pelphrey likely battling it out. In Supporting Actress in a Comedy, the category is a showdown between Hacks’ Hannah Einbinder and Widow’s Bay’s Kate O’Flynn.
The State of Television
As awards pundits and fans look toward the September 14 ceremony hosted by Mariska Hargitay, the narrative of 2026 is clear: a seismic shift has occurred. The era of The Bear and Stranger Things dominating all conversation has seemingly passed. In its place is a new power dynamic, where HBO’s proven prestige model and Apple TV+’s carefully curated, high-quality content strategy are now the standard-bearers. It’s a reminder of the volatile, ever-changing nature of television itself.
by ANNIE ROBERTSON