Here’s who we think will make the cut in the series and acting races.

2026 Emmy nominations predictions: Our picks in the top categories

Here's who we think will make the cut in the series and acting races.

Joyce Eng

Joyce Eng is a senior news editor at ** with nearly 20 years of experience in entertainment journalism. She previously worked at OK!, TV Guide, and Gold Derby.

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May 7, 2026 9:00 a.m. ET

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Oscar Isaac on 'Beef'; Lisa Kudrow on 'The Comeback'; Noah Wyle on 'The Pitt'; Sarah Pidgeon on 'Love Story'. Credit:

Netflix; John P. Johnson/HBO; Warrick Page/HBO Max; FX

- EW predicts who will get nominated at the 2026 Emmys.

- We're breaking down the top drama and comedy categories.

- *The Pitt* and *Hacks* are frontrunners in each genre.

Can anything take down *The Pitt*? Can Lisa Kudrow end Jean Smart's reign? Will Emmy voters fall in love with *Love Story* or will they still have a taste for *Beef*? Those are some of the burning questions as we await the 2026 Emmy nominations on July 8. In the meantime, as the eligibility window winds down, here are our predictions in the major categories.

A couple of reminders: The Emmy eligibility period is June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026. Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Comedy Series are locked at eight slots, but the number of slots in all other categories is determined by the number of submissions in those categories, which we'll learn when ballots go out on the first day of voting on June 11. Since we don't know yet, we are using the same number of slots as last year for now.

Outstanding Drama Series

Rhea Seehorn on 'Pluribus'; Noah Wyle on 'The Pitt'; Sterling K. Brown on 'Paradise'.

Apple; HBO; Hulu

*The Diplomat* (Netflix)***A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms* (HBO)***Paradise* (Hulu)***The Pitt* (HBO Max)***Pluribus* (Apple TV)***Slow Horses* (Apple TV)***Stranger Things* (Netflix)***Task* (HBO)

After sweeping literally everything for season 1, *The Pitt* is the one to beat for its sophomore installment. The HBO Max hit is one of four 2025 nominees eligible to return, the others being *The Diplomat*, *Paradise*, and *Slow Horses*, and you can expect those to be back as well. You probably won't see *Slow Horses* high on many pundits' lists, but it already has writing and directing Emmy wins under its belt. *Pluribus* ought to take the place of last year's nominee *Severance* — another cerebral, mysterious (and important) Apple TV series with a passionate online fan base.

*Task*, from *Mare of Easttown* creator Brad Inglesby that's also set in Delco, didn't net a ton of nominations over the winter, but the acclaimed crime drama that, like *Mare*, grew its audience over its seven-week run was likely boxed out by 2025 shows like *Severance*, *The White Lotus*, and *Andor*. With those out of Emmy contention this year, *Task* should be safe in series. Less safe is its HBO-mate *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms*, but the well-liked *Game of Thrones* prequel could be carried into series by the crafts branches like the first season of *House of the Dragon* was in 2023.

Similarly, the last spot could be snagged by the final season of *Stranger Things* on the back of tech support. It made the series cut for Season 4, Vol. 1 in 2022 without any above-the-line nominations, and that can easily happen again. And you can never count out the visibility of Netflix (see: *3 Body Problem*'s series nomination in 2024).

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**In the mix:** It'd be wrong to cross off 2024 nominees *Fallout*, *The Gilded Age*, and *The Morning Show*, but the latter two had underwhelming guild performances in the winter, while *Fallout* had a questionable December release and chose to bypass the winter awards cycle, so there's no awards footprint for season 2 yet. And it must be said that the 2024 drama race was much weaker than the current one.

A lot has happened since *Euphoria* was nominated for season 2 in 2022, like season 3 getting torched by critics and fans alike. But Emmy voters are not critics or fans. While the booked and busy *Euphoria* stars likely won't be campaigning, the below-the-line department heads can carry the load. The drama is also shot in L.A., where most of the Emmy membership is based.

In terms of new shows, *The Handmaid's Tale* sequel series *The Testaments*, starring Chase Infiniti, has good reviews, but it's really a matter of how much voters still care about Gilead. *The Handmaid's Tale*, the 2017 champ, went 0-21 in 2021, becoming the biggest single-year Emmy loser, and only nabbed one nomination for each of its last two seasons in 2023 and 2025.

Outstanding Comedy Series

Lisa Kudrow on 'The Comeback'; Jean Smart on 'Hacks'; Jason Segel on 'Shrinking'.

*Abbott Elementary* (ABC)***The Bear* (FX)***The Comeback* (HBO)***Hacks* (HBO Max)***Jury Duty: Company Retreat* (Prime Video)***Margo's Got Money Troubles* (Apple TV)***Only Murders in the Building* (Hulu)***Shrinking* (Apple TV)

With reigning champ *The Studio* sitting this cycle out, 2024 surprise winner *Hacks* will look to close out its five-season run with a bookend trophy. The only other former champ in the running is *The Bear*, which has lost much of its cultural cachet and awards luster the past two seasons (does anyone care that the fifth and final season premieres in a month?). It should still make the cut, though, alongside past nominees *Abbott Elementary*, *Only Murders in the Building*, and *Shrinking*.

The final three spots are more open. Cult fave *The Comeback* has never been nominated for series, but it feels primed to finally break the duck for its AI-focused third and final season. (Would it have gotten in for its first season in 2006 and its second season in 2015 had there been eight slots then? We'll never know.)

*Jury Duty* was nominated for its first season in 2023, and while *Company Retreat* didn't make as big a splash as the James Marsden-boosted inaugural installment, it's still one of the broad-appealing, feel-good offerings of the season with the added hook of "Did they really pull this off again?!" Perhaps its biggest concern is that Prime Video didn't receive a single above-the-line nomination last year.

Apple TV will aim to fill *The Studio*'s slot with David E. Kelley's *Margo's Got Money Troubles*, adapted from the book of the same name and starring Elle Fanning as a single mom who turns to OnlyFans to pay the bills. Kelley has run more cold than hot with Emmy voters in recent times — 10 of his 11 wins came in the 20th century, and the prolific TV titan hasn't been nominated since winning Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series for *Big Little Lies* in 2017 — but Apple is good at making its biggest priorities happen.

**In the mix:** Basically all the Netflix comedies. 2025 nominee *Nobody Wants This* is eligible for season 2, but it had an even weaker showing with industry guild awards over the winter than it did for its breakout first season, which only netted three Emmy nominations total. 2023 nominee *Wednesday* also had a quieter season 2. Dan Levy's *Big Mistakes* wasn't huge when it dropped last month, but it could be a grower. Tina Fey's *The Four Seasons* yielded an unexpected nomination for Colman Domingo last year, but season 2 is arriving late on May 28.

Another Fey-produced show, *The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins*, could be the first NBC nominee in the category since *The Good Place* in 2020. Bill Lawrence will hope voters wake up to *Rooster*, starring Steve Carell. FX will hope to fill *What We Do in the Shadows*' slot with *The Lowdown*. And 2024 nominee *Palm Royale*, which had a good guild run in the winter, will try to defy its cancellation by returning to the lineup.

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

Paul Anthony Kelly on 'Love Story'; Claire Danes on 'The Beast in Me'; Carey Mulligan on 'Beef'.

*The Beast in Me* (Netflix)***Beef* (Netflix)***Black Rabbit* (Netflix)***DTF St. Louis* (HBO)***Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette* (FX)

For the first time in eight years, there's no runaway juggernaut in limited series, which is welcome and refreshing. Still, just like in 2018, there's a frontrunner in the second season of an anthology series that dominated the Emmys with its first season. *Beef* season 2, like *The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story*, didn't match the high reception of its predecessor, but it's still the best-received series of the top contenders.

Its fellow Netflix hopefuls *The Beast in Me* and *Black Rabbit* ought to be in off their solid winter performances, plus Netflix visibility. *Love Story*, the buzziest offering of the winter, will mark the fourth Ryan Murphy franchise to be nominated in the category. What gets the final spot is much murkier, but for now we'll tip *DTF St. Louis*, HBO's sadult dark comedy that wrapped on April 12, giving voters enough time to have watched live or catch up before voting.

**In the mix:** New shows from creators of the past two winners — *Half Man* from *Baby Reindeer*'s Richard Gadd and *Lord of the Flies* from *Adolescence*'s Jack Thorne — will have people being trigger-happy adding them to their predictions, but this is your warning to be cautious with late premieres. HBO's *Half Man* is a six-episode weekly release that premiered April 23, while *Lord of the Flies* binge-dropped on Netflix on May 4. Both will need to be huge audience hits to stay in the conversation with such dark themes. For what it's worth, *Lord of the Flies* aired in the U.K. and Australia in February to mixed audience reception.

Netflix also has historical drama *Death by Lightning*, whose best bet is a writing bid, as well as *Monster: The Ed Gein Story*. The first two seasons of *Monster* were nominated. *All Her Fault* was a big audience hit in the fall, but Peacock has struggled to break into series fields for its narrative shows.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Zendaya on 'Euphoria'; Rhea Seehorn on 'Pluribus'; Keri Russell on 'The Diplomat'.

HBO; Apple; Netflix

Jennifer Aniston, *The Morning Show* (Apple TV)**Carrie Coon, *The Gilded Age* (HBO)**Keri Russell, *The Diplomat* (Netflix)**Rhea Seehorn, *Pluribus* (Apple TV)**Zendaya, *Euphoria** *(HBO)

There are three locks here: two-time winner Zendaya, who's looking to go three for three, Keri Russell, and Rhea Seehorn. The latter two did battle over the winter, with Seehorn taking the Critics Choice Award and Golden Globe, and Russell taking the Actor Award. In terms of the Emmys, the Actor Award is the relevant one with its overlapping membership. The last two slots might very well be filled by past nominees Jennifer Aniston and Carrie Coon. While neither recent seasons of *The Morning Show* nor *The Gilded Age* were as buzzy as previous ones and both shows floundered at the winter awards, the field is soft enough for them to return.

**In the mix:** Even at the time, Kathy Bates' bid for *Matlock* last year felt like a now-or-never moment for her to win as the sole nominee from a broadcast procedural. She did not win, and the buzz has dissipated considerably for season 2, which has been in the news for other reasons.

Of freshman contenders, Michelle Pfeiffer has gotten some of the best ink of her career for her turn on *The Madison*, but the Emmys do not touch Taylor Sheridan shows (above the line at least). You can lock her in for Golden Globe and Actor nominations, though. Then there's Oscar near-miss Chase Infiniti, who headlines *The Testaments*. Emmy voters are not starstruck by Oscar nominees and hopefuls like most people think they are, so if Infiniti — whose first screen credit was Apple TV's *Presumed Innocent*, which earned four acting nominations last year — makes the cut, it's because they're paying attention to the Hulu drama, not because she almost got an Oscar nomination.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Noah Wyle on 'The Pitt'; Mark Ruffalo on 'Task'; Gary Oldman on 'Slow Horses'.

Sterling K. Brown, *Paradise* (Hulu)**Jon Hamm, *Your Friends & Neighbors* (Apple TV)**Gary Oldman, *Slow Horses* (Apple TV)**Mark Ruffalo, *Task* (HBO)**Noah Wyle, *The Pitt* (HBO Max)

This is one of the most settled categories. Sterling K. Brown, Gary Oldman, and reigning champ Noah Wyle will all be back from last year, with Wyle all but certain to triumph again. They'll be joined by two-time Emmy winner Mark Ruffalo, who was the only constant *Task* acting nominee in the winter. But who will join the four of them is anyone's guess. We'll roll the dice for Jon Hamm, who could pull an Idris Elba and get in for a little-seen Apple TV series...over Elba himself, who's back in the hunt for *Hijack*.

**In the mix:** Besides Elba, there's his fellow 2024 nominee Walton Goggins, who contended last year in supporting for *The White Lotus*, but *Fallout* season 2 was much more low-key than its maiden installment. As the new VP to Allison Janney's POTUS on *The Diplomat*, Rufus Sewell had a much bigger presence in the third season, and a nomination for him might just signal enough support for a win for Russell.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Julianne Nicholson on 'Paradise'; Katherine LaNasa on 'The Pitt'; Allison Janney on 'The Diplomat'.

Hulu; HBO; Netflix

Isa Briones, *The Pitt* (HBO Max)** Taylor Dearden, *The Pitt* (HBO Max)**Allison Janney, *The Diplomat* (Netflix)**Katherine LaNasa, *The Pitt* (HBO Max)** Sepideh Moafi, *The Pitt* (HBO Max)**Julianne Nicholson, *Paradise* (Hulu)** Karolina Wydra, *Pluribus* (Apple TV)

No shade to anyone, but Katherine LaNasa is the only lock here. That's how in flux this category is. Julianne Nicholson is the only other 2025 nominee in contention, and since *Paradise* has been carried by the acting branch so far (its only non-series nominations last year were for acting), she should be back too. Emmy voters could just see *Pluribus* as the Rhea Seehorn Show, but if they expand their view, Karolina Wydra is the next likely performer to make the cut. Last year, Allison Janney submitted in supporting despite being eligible in guest (she only appeared in two episodes), but she was MIA on nominations morning. She has to go supporting for season 3 of *The Diplomat*, having appeared in four of eight episodes, and the seven-time champ ought to get in this time.

***Check out more from EW's *****The Awardist*****, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis, and our podcast diving into all the highlights from the year's best in TV, movies, and more.***

In four of the last five years, there has been a show that has produced at least four nominees in this category, which should tell you everything about how voters just check names down the ballot from their favorite show. *The Pitt* is primed to pull that off this year with the usual nomination expansion for a second-year hit. The trickier part is figuring out who and how many will join LaNasa. There's also a very likely possibility of voters catching up on season 1, and now, whether passively or actively, are voting on both seasons. With that in mind, we'll give the edge to Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, and Sepideh Moafi. Moafi was a season 2 addition and gets her meatiest material in the final two episodes of season 2.

**In the mix:** There are the other *Pitt* ladies, like Fiona Dourif, Shabana Azeez, and Supriya Ganesh, the last of whom will not return for season 3. If voters really take to *Task*, Emilia Jones will show up here. Past nominees Christine Baranski (*The Gilded Age*) and Sydney Sweeney (*Euphoria*) are in the hunt, but their leading lady costars are more likely to be shortlisted. Former champ Ann Dowd reprises *The Handmaid's Tale*'s Aunt Lydia on *The Testaments* and is searching for her fourth nomination for the role.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Tom Pelphrey on 'Task'; Billy Crudup on 'The Morning Show'; Shawn Hatosy on 'The Pitt'.

HBO; Apple; HBO

Billy Crudup, *The Morning Show* (Apple TV)** Patrick Ball, *The Pitt* (HBO Max)**Shawn Hatosy, *The Pitt* (HBO Max)** Gerran Howell, *The Pitt* (HBO Max)** Jack Lowden, *Slow Horses* (Apple TV)**James Marsden, *Paradise* (Hulu)** Tom Pelphrey, *Task* (HBO)

This is another wildly flexible category, which might be why Shawn Hatosy, last year's drama guest actor winner, threw a wrench into the proceedings at the end of April by moving from guest to supporting. Having appeared in six of 15 episodes of *The Pitt* season 2, Hatosy is still eligible in guest, but he opted to pull an Allison Janney and shoot his shot in supporting. While she did not get in last year for *The Diplomat*, Hatosy should be safe for an upgraded slot. Logic dictates that the reigning Best Drama Series winner will grab multiple spots, so Patrick Ball is next in line, followed by Gerran Howell.

But the person who is most likely to be nominated is two-time champ Billy Crudup, who will be *The Morning Show*'s stalwart nominee if all else fails. Two former nominees could go either way: *Slow Horses*' Jack Lowden, who was nominated in 2024 but snubbed last year, and *Paradise*'s James Marsden, who was nominated last year and is forced to remain in supporting even though he's only in three season 2 episodes because of the Claire Foy Rule that stipulates you can no longer submit in guest after you've been nominated in lead or supporting for the same performance on the same series.

Six years ago, Tom Pelphrey was widely predicted to be nominated for *Ozark* but was shockingly snubbed, and on his birthday to boot (he got a make-up nomination in guest in 2022). Pelphrey, the foil to Mark Ruffalo on *Task*, has the goods to win, and his biggest hurdle is just getting the nomination.

**In the mix:** Marsden is also in contention here for *Your Friends & Neighbors*. If the acting branch goes wild for *Pluribus*, expect Carlos-Manuel Vesga to be in the lineup. Similarly, *The Diplomat* could finally break into this category with Ato Essandoh.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Elle Fanning on 'Margo's Got Money Troubles'; Jean Smart on 'Hacks'; Lisa Kudrow on 'The Comeback'.

Quinta Brunson, *Abbott Elementary* (ABC)**Elle Fanning, *Margo's Got Money Troubles* (Apple TV)**Lisa Kudrow, *The Comeback* (HBO)**Jean Smart, *Hacks *(HBO Max)**Kristen Wiig, *Palm Royale* (Apple TV)

Jean Smart has been undefeated at the Emmys for *Hacks*, but she'll face her toughest competition as she aims to go for a perfect five for five. Lisa Kudrow, an Emmy winner for *Friends* but Emmy-less for *The Comeback*, is on her tail for her own final season of her show. Kudrow lost for the first two seasons of *The Comeback* to two different Julia Louis-Dreyfus performances (*The New Adventures of Old Christine* in 2006 and *Veep* in 2015), but with JLD not around in these parts now, can Kudrow take down Smart? Louis-Dreyfus herself was also denied a perfect seven-for-seven sweep for *Veep*, losing at the final hurdle to *Fleabag*'s Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Quinta Brunson is the only other past champ in the running, but her status is shakier than ever after getting snubbed by the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes, and Actor Awards in the winter. The Emmys also dropped the first *Abbott* performer last year (Tyler James Williams), but Brunson feels like the last one to be dropped. Unlike Brunson, Kristen Wiig, a 13-time nominee who has never won, did make the Actor Awards. A 2024 nominee for *Palm Royale*, she could also benefit from being on top of half of the ballots (half of the voters get the ballot in reverse alphabetical order).

The field could consist entirely of returning nominees, but Elle Fanning is best positioned to rep a new show in the category with *Margo's Got Money Troubles*. She was also nominated here for *The Great* in 2022.

**In the mix:** Past nominees Ayo Edebiri (*The Bear*), Jenna Ortega (*Wednesday*), Maya Rudolph (*Loot*), Selena Gomez (*Only Murders in the Building*), and Kristen Bell (*Nobody Wants This*) could all pop up, but they all have some form of weakness or another. All were eligible at the Actor Awards, which has voter crossover with the Emmys, and only Ortega was nominated.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Jason Segel on 'Shrinking'; Martin Short on 'Only Murders in the Building'; Steve Carell on 'Rooster'.

Apple; Hulu; HBO

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, *Wonder Man* (Disney+)**Steve Carell, *Rooster* (HBO)**Jason Segel, *Shrinking* (Apple TV)**Martin Short, *Only Murders in the Building* (Hulu)**Jeremy Allen White, *The Bear* (FX)

Defending champ Seth Rogen (*The Studio*) is out, so we'll have a different winner. Martin Short and Jason Segel are the only sure things in this category that, like its female counterpart, could feature all old faces. Two-time champ Jeremy Allen White's fate depends on how over *The Bear *voters are, but as the face of the show, he might be able to hang on. Steve Carell, an 11-time nominee including six times in this category, is back with *Rooster* and seeking his first win ever.

For the last spot, we'll take a flyer on Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. The *Watchmen* Emmy winner admittedly had a better shot in limited, but was forced into comedy after *Wonder Man* was renewed for a second season. Granted, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has not produced an acting nomination since 2021 (for *WandaVision*'s main trio and Don Cheadle's 2-minute appearance in *The Falcon and the Winter Soldier*), but the highly entertaining and meta *Wonder Man* is the MCU's best-reviewed project in a minute.

**In the mix:** While Short has been nominated for every season of *Only Murders* so far, Steve Martin has twice missed in 2023 and 2025 when both fields had five slots. He was nominated in 2022 and 2024 when both fields had six slots. Arconiacs are definitely hoping for that sixth slot this year. Unlike his *Nobody Wants This* costar Bell, Adam Brody retained his slot at the Actor Awards this year, putting him in better position to make a return trip to the Emmys.

Contenders from new shows include Dan Levy for *Big Mistakes*, Matthew Rhys on the very fun *Widow's Bay*, Tracy Morgan for *The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins*, Ethan Hawke for *The Lowdown*, and Tim Robinson for *The Chair Company*, who has a better chance getting into writing a la Nathan Fielder for *The Rehearsal* last year.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Hannah Einbinder on 'Hacks'; Janelle James on 'Abbott Elementary'; Jessica Williams on 'Shrinking'.

HBO; ABC; Apple

Carol Burnett, *Palm Royale* (Apple TV)** Hannah Einbinder, *Hacks* (HBO Max)** Janelle James, *Abbott Elementary* (ABC)** Christa Miller, *Shrinking* (Apple TV)**Michelle Pfeiffer, *Margo's Got Money Troubles* (Apple TV)**Sheryl Lee Ralph, *Abbott Elementary* (ABC)**Jessica Williams, *Shrinking* (Apple TV)

Reigning champ Hannah Einbinder is locked and loaded, and might just well win again for the final season of *Hacks*. Past nominees Jessica Williams and Janelle James, who won Critics Choice, are also marked safe to return. James' costar and 2022 winner Sheryl Lee Ralph is next in line, but with *Abbott* aging and, as aforementioned, having lost Tyler James Williams as a nominee last year, she's not as secure as she's been in the past. Carol Burnett was nominated for the first season of *Palm Royale* in 2024, and the biggest knock against the icon and seven-time winner is that her show is canceled. But people are still gonna vote for who and what they like at the end of the day, regardless of the status of a show.

The last two spots may just go to a pair of Apple TV ladies. *Shrinking* could expand with a nomination for Christa Miller, who could also be nominated for music supervision (she was nominated there for *Ted Lasso* in 2023). Michelle Pfeiffer, whose only Emmy nomination was for the forgotten Bernie Madoff HBO film *The Wizard of Lies* in 2017, is having a banner year with *Margo's Got Money Troubles*, from her hubby, and *The Madison*, from Taylor Sheridan. But with the Emmys allergic to the Sheridanverse, *Margo's* ought to be her ticket.

**In the mix:** 2024 winner Liza Colón-Zayas is on the fringes due to *The Bear*'s dwindling support, and she isn't helped by Tina's not exactly riveting season 4 storyline of timing a pasta dish. Megan Stalter has been unable to join *Hacks* costar Einbinder in the lineup thus far, but she now has more internal competition in 2025 guest nominee Robby Hoffman. Four-time Emmy winner Laurie Metcalf could bag three nominations this year (something she accomplished 10 years ago), and one could come in this category for her scene-stealing turn on *Big Mistakes*. And Erika Alexander is arguably *The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins*' best shot at a nomination.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Harrison Ford on 'Shrinking'; Bowen Yang on 'Saturday Night Live'; Paul W. Downs on 'Hacks'.

Apple; NBC; HBO

Paul W. Downs, *Hacks* (HBO Max)**Harrison Ford, *Shrinking* (Apple TV)**Ben Kingsley, *Wonder Man* (Disney+)** Ted McGinley, *Shrinking* (Apple TV)**Ebon Moss-Bachrach, *The Bear* (FX)**Michael Urie, *Shrinking* (Apple TV)**Bowen Yang, *Saturday Night Live* (NBC)

The Emmys served pure chaos in this category last year — down to the great upset win by *Somebody Somewhere*'s Jeff Hiller — and we can only pray to the Emmy gods for that to continue. The *Shrinking* duo of Harrison Ford and Michael Urie are in, and the show's growing strength might just be able to reel in Ted McGinley as well. Bowen Yang only appeared in half of *Saturday Night Live*'s 51st season before bidding adieu, and since voters are seemingly reluctant to nominate any new *SNL* talent, you can look forward to a goodbye bid for the four-time nominee.

Like his *Bear* costars, two-time champ Ebon Moss-Bachrach is on high alert to be snubbed, but Richie being a fan favorite could lift him through another year. *Hacks* has had an uneven (pun intended) performance in this category: It's gotten in for its odd-numbered seasons (Carl Clemons-Hopkins for season 1, Paul W. Downs for season 3), but has been blanked for its even-numbered ones. Last time we checked, five is an odd number, so if that pattern continues, Downs should make it back in for the final season. And our chaos pick is four-time nominee Sir Ben Kingsley, who's having the time of his life on *Wonder Man*.

**In the mix:** Can Tyler James Williams, a three-time nominee for *Abbott Elementary*, rebound after getting unceremoniously dropped last year? Colman Domingo nabbed a surprise nomination last year for *The Four Seasons*, and the only thing giving pause for a second bid for the Emmy winner is the comedy's late season 2 release. But it's a returning show and such an easy, breezy watch that it might not be detrimental. Nick Offerman has been nominated as a reality host and won for his guest turn on *The Last of Us*, but he's never been nominated for a comedy series. *Margo's Got Money Troubles* can change that. And fresh off his second Tony nomination, Daniel Radcliffe can snag his second Emmy nomination this year with *The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins*.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Sarah Snook on 'All Her Fault'; Carey Mulligan on 'Beef'; Sarah Pidgeon on 'Love Story'.

Peacock; Netflix; FX

Claire Danes, *The Beast in Me* (Netflix)**Carey Mulligan, *Beef* (Netflix)** Sarah Pidgeon, *Love Story: John F. Kenney Jr. & Carolyn Bessette* (FX)**Sarah Snook, *All Her Fault* (Peacock)**Kerry Washington, *Imperfect Women* (Apple TV)

Carey Mulligan has been in since the second her casting on *Beef* was announced. Also in is Sarah Pidgeon, the undisputed MVP of *Love Story*. Unless something crazy happens, the win will come down to the two of them. Claire Danes and Sarah Snook, who have four Emmys between them, can pencil in their spots, too, for their endlessly watchable November crime thrillers. They were nominated at every stop in the winter, with Snook winning Critics Choice.

We'll give the final spot to Kerry Washington, one of Apple TV's three *Imperfect Women* (sorry to Elisabeth Moss and Kate Mara). The psychological thriller didn't have the most sterling reviews, but Washington may be able to pull off what she did here in 2020: get in for a moderately reviewed show (*Little Fires Everywhere*) over her costar(s) (Reese Witherspoon).

**In the mix:** Never count out the star of a populist Netflix hit, so Tessa Thompson (*His & Hers*) or Camila Morrone (*Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen*) could pop up. Hulu does very well in the limited categories, so Patricia Arquette (*Murdaugh: Death in the Family*) isn't out of it either. But be wary of going with a big-name star from a TV movie (Sally Field in *Remarkably Bright Creatures* or Allison Janney in *Miss You, Love You*), as no one's been nominated in this category for a movie since Laura Dern for *The Tale* in 2018.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Oscar Isaac on 'Beef'; Matthew Rhys on 'The Beast of Me'; Paul Anthony Kelly on 'Love Story'.

Jamie Bell, *Half Man* (HBO)**Charlie Hunnam, *Monster: The Ed Gein Story* (Netflix)**Oscar Isaac, *Beef* (Netflix)** Paul Anthony Kelly, *Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette* (FX)**Matthew Rhys, *The Beast in Me* (Netflix)

Like Mulligan, Oscar Isaac has been in since he was cast on *Beef*. Matthew Rhys, who's totally unhinged (complimentary) on *The Beast in Me*, is also set. Paul Anthony Kelly will be able to say he was Emmy-nominated for his first acting role. Charlie Hunnam ought to continue the *Monster(s)* streak of getting their leads nominated.

As of press time, *Half Man* has not determined its acting placements, but the most logical route is to run Jamie Bell and Richard Gadd in lead, and their younger counterparts, Mitchell Robertson and Stuart Campbell, in supporting. The younger duo are the stars of the first three episodes, which are bookended by Bell and Gadd, who lead the final three episodes. *Half Man* might not be strong enough to support double lead nominations, especially if it's just five slots, so we'll for now go with Bell, as the show is also primarily told from the POV of his character. *Half Man*, Gadd's exploration of toxic masculinity, is also not, uh, the easiest of watches, so will voters stick around for the back half when Bell and Gadd take the reins?

**In the mix:** *Black Rabbit* has its own pair of leading men in Jason Bateman and Jude Law, who is ACTING in the final stretch of episodes, as does *Death by Lightning* in Matthew Macfadyen and Michael Shannon. Riz Ahmed, who won this award nine years ago for *The Night Of*, is back with *Bait*, playing an actor auditioning for James Bond.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Grace Gummer on 'Love Story'; Linda Cardellini on 'DTF St. Louis'; Cailee Spaeny on 'Beef'.

FX; HBO; Netflix

Linda Cardellini, *DTF St. Louis* (HBO)** Grace Gummer, *Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette* (FX)**Cailee Spaeny, *Beef* (Netflix)**Naomi Watts, *Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette* (FX)**Youn Yuh-jung, *Beef* (Netflix)**Constance Zimmer, *Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette* (FX)

Unlike season 1, *Beef* is poised to produce multiple nominations in this category with Cailee Spaeny and Youn Yuh-jung, each ruthless in their own, generation-specific way on the Netflix series. *Love Story* can pick up three spots with Naomi Watts (as Jackie Kennedy), Grace Gummer (as Caroline Kennedy), and Constance Zimmer (as Ann Messina Freeman, Carolyn Bessette's mother). Gummer and Zimmer, a nominee 10 years ago for *UnREAL*, do some of their best work in the finale, including in a post-crash dinner table scene at JFK Jr. and Carolyn's loft. Linda Cardellini, a borderline lead/supporting case for *DTF St. Louis*, is going supporting and ought to grab her third acting nomination and fourth overall.

**In the mix:** If *Beef* goes over really big, don't be surprised to see Seeyeon Jang, who played Eunice and gets caught up in every single beef. Laurie Metcalf can score her second nomination this year here with *Monster* (her third would be in guest for *Hacks*). A three-time nominee for *GLOW*, Betty Gilpin is vying for a spot for *Death by Lightning*. Brittany Snow (*The Beast in Me*) and Dakota Fanning (*All Her Fault*), a 2024 nominee here for *Ripley*, could show up if their shows are strong.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Jason Bateman on 'DTF St. Louis'; Charles Melton on 'Beef'; Alessandro Nivola on 'Love Story'.

HBO; Netflix; FX

Jason Bateman, *DTF St. Louis* (HBO)**David Harbour, *DTF St. Louis* (HBO)**Troy Kotsur, *Black Rabbit* (Netflix)**Jake Lacy, *All Her Fault* (Peacock)** Charles Melton, *Beef* (Netflix)**Alessandro Nivola, *Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette* (FX)

This is another category that can go a lotta different ways. *Beef*'s Charles Melton is the only lock. Like Cardellini, Jason Bateman and David Harbour are hilariously also going supporting for *DTF St. Louis*, which makes the lead...St. Louis? The app? Bateman at least has a strategic reason to go supporting as he's in lead for *Black Rabbit*, but Harbour has no such vote-splitting possibility.

Speaking of *Black Rabbit*, Troy Kotsur is in play for his menacing villain turn. Alessandro Nivola is *Love Story*'s main contender in this category, but his biggest drawback might be Calvin Klein being absent in the back half of the show. Last year, voters turned to a thriller, *Presumed Innocent*, to fill out the category. If that happens again, Jake Lacy, who was nominated here for the first season of *The White Lotus*, could be the beneficiary with *All Her Fault*, the biggest hit of his trifecta of Peacock limited series.

**In the mix:** If Bateman and Harbour weren't in supporting, the odds would be higher for *DTF St. Louis*' actual supporting actors Richard Jenkins and Peter Sarsgaard, the latter of whom was nominated last year for *Presumed Innocent*. Michael Peña, who was up for a Critics Choice Award, has a showcase episode on *All Her Fault*. *Death by Lightning* has a bevy options, like Nick Offerman, Bradley Whitford, and Shea Whigham, who'd be better positioned if the show were a top-tier contender. Netflix also has Tom Hollander (*Monster: The Ed Gein Story*), who was nominated two years ago for *Feud: Capote vs. the Swans*, and Jonathan Banks (*The Beast in Me*), who has not been nominated since 2019.

The 2026 Emmy nominations will be announced on Wednesday, July 8, at 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT. The 2026 Emmy Awards will air Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on NBC and Peacock.

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Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Emmys”