The 2026 Emmy nominations were announced Tuesday, with HBO’s medical drama ‘The Pitt’ and the comedy series ‘Hacks’ emerging as the frontrunners. The nominations list, published by Deadline, reveals a competitive field marked by both expected nods and notable omissions.
‘The Pitt’ secured 18 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series. Its lead, Taylor Dearden, earned a Best Actress nod. Sepideh Moafi also received a supporting actress nomination for her role on the show. HBO’s overall tally, bolstered by the series, reached 107 nominations across all categories, according to data from The Hollywood Reporter.
‘Hacks’ continued its awards-season momentum. The series, which won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2024, received 14 nominations this year. Its leads, Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder, are both nominated again. The show’s creator, Lucia Aniello, is up for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series.
The nominations were not without surprises. The AP report on the 2026 Emmys highlights the snub of ‘The Crown’ in the drama categories, a first for the series. The show had been a mainstay since its debut. Another surprise was the lack of nominations for Apple TV+’s ‘Pluribus‘, a high-budget sci-fi series that critics had predicted would dominate technical categories.
HBO chief Casey Bloys, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, defended the network’s strategy. “We focus on quality over volume,” Bloys said. “The ‘The Pitt’ and ‘Hacks’ results reflect that.” He declined to comment on the absence of ‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2, which was widely expected to receive acting nominations.
The 2026 Emmys will air on September 20. The ceremony is expected to draw heightened viewership after last year’s record low.
Key Nominee Breakdown
| Category | Nominee | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Drama Series | The Pitt | HBO |
| Outstanding Comedy Series | Hacks | HBO Max |
| Lead Actress, Drama | Taylor Dearden (The Pitt) | HBO |
| Lead Actress, Comedy | Jean Smart (Hacks) | HBO Max |
| Supporting Actress, Drama | Sepideh Moafi (The Pitt) | HBO |
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Which shows received the most 2026 Emmy nominations?
- A: HBO’s ‘The Pitt’ leads with 18 nominations, followed by ‘Hacks’ with 14 nominations.
- Q: What were the biggest snubs in the 2026 Emmy nominations?
- A: The biggest snubs include ‘The Crown’ receiving no drama nominations for the first time, and Apple TV+’s ‘Pluribus’ being shut out entirely despite critical predictions.
- Q: How many total nominations did HBO receive in 2026?
- A: HBO received 107 total nominations across all categories for the 2026 Emmys.
Extended Reading
Data for this report was sourced from Deadline’s full list of nominees, The Hollywood Reporter’s interview with HBO chief Casey Bloys, and the AP’s analysis of snubs and surprises. The 2026 nominations reflect a shift toward streaming-first content, with traditional broadcast networks largely absent from major categories. HBO’s 107 total nominations represent a 12% increase from 2025, driven largely by ‘The Pitt’ and ‘Hacks’. The Television Academy did not respond to a request for comment on the voting process.
