Following this year’s nominations, many industry professionals have been speculating about the 2026 Emmy Awards. A roundtable discussion featuring critics and analysts dissected the winners, surprising snubs and unexpected standouts from the year’s major television contenders.According to a roundtable discussion featured on Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast, the medical series ‘The Pitt’ led all programs with an unprecedented 25 nominations, including Outstanding Drama and 13 acting nominations. Its star, Noah Wyle, is positioned as a lead actor contender. The comedy series ‘Hacks’ earned 24 nominations for its fifth season, setting a new record for the most nominations ever received by a comedy programme. Star Jean Smart is now positioned to potentially win her fifth Emmy for the show, which would tie her for the actress with the most Emmy acting wins in history.
The Pitt topped the 2026 Emmy nominations with 25 nods, emerging as the most-nominated series of the year.Image credit (Instagram)
Surprising contenders and newcomers
Two first-year programmes have emerged as significant contenders this year. The horror comedy ‘Widow’s Bay’ earned 19 nominations after generating considerable attention during Emmy consideration season. The drama series ‘Pluribus’ also made a strong showing with 18 nominations in its debut year. A limited series from a rival streaming platform topped its category with 16 nominations.Michael Schneider, Emily Longeretta and Jazz Tangcay, who participated in the roundtable discussion, highlighted several notable moments from the nominations. Longeretta expressed disappointment about one notable omission. “I was really bummed that ‘Half Man’ didn’t get more love. I will say that one was for me the big one. That while one actor was incredible in it, not recognising Jamie Bell was pretty shocking to me. And not recognising the show overall because the writing was insane,” she stated.The surprise success of ‘Widow’s Bay’ garnered particular praise, as shows premiering late in the Emmy consideration cycle typically struggle to gain attention. “I know for the longest time, talking to a lot of people, they felt they didn’t have time for another show. But the buzz on ‘Widow’s Bay’ was so relentless that I think a lot of people checked it out and went, ‘Oh, this is great,'” Schneider explained.
First-year series Widow’s Bay and Pluribus impressed Emmy voters, earning major nominations and becoming two of the year’s biggest breakout contenders.Image credit (Instagram)
Broadcast television challenges and reality competition returns
The roundtable noted that broadcast television received a significantly diminished number of nominations this year, with few programmes beyond ‘Abbott Elementary’ securing major recognition. However, the return of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ to the reality competition category after a decade-long absence was celebrated as a positive development, despite concerns that it displaced another long-running competition programme from consideration.
Mariska Hargitay’s exceptional year and hosting duties
The group also discussed the remarkable year being experienced by actress Mariska Hargitay, who will host this year’s Emmy Awards ceremony. She represents the first woman to host the ceremony in 15 years. Beyond her hosting role, Hargitay is experiencing an exceptionally busy period, which includes a professional sports team victory, a Broadway theatre performance, her documentary receiving two Emmy nominations, her long-running drama series reaching a milestone episode count, and her hosting duties for the awards programme.
Notable absences and pleasant surprises
The programmes and talent from a particular creative producer’s universe failed to secure nominations despite significant star power, with several high-profile series missing from consideration entirely. However, the show starring one veteran actress in a supporting role generated enthusiasm among the panellists. “I loved Sally Field getting in for ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures.’ I mean, Sally is just a legend. It was lovely to see her do that,” Tangcay said.The roundtable discussion was hosted by Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Emily Longeretta and Michael Schneider, examines the year’s major Emmy contenders and provided analysis of the upcoming awards ceremony.
