The 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Mariska Hargitay, are shaping up to be a significant night for "The Pitt" and "Widow's Bay." "The Pitt" leads the nominations with 25, followed closely by "Hacks" with 24, while Apple TV+'s "Widow's Bay" enters the race with 19 nods.

To be eligible for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, shows needed to have aired between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. "The Pitt," an HBO Max medical drama, is a strong contender for Outstanding Drama Series, having already garnered accolades at last year's Emmys and the recent Golden Globes. The show's momentum is further evidenced by Ernest Harden Jr.'s win for "guest actor" at the Creative Arts Emmys. While "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" and "The Diplomat" are also nominated in this category, "The Pitt" is favored to win.

In the Outstanding Comedy Series category, "Widow's Bay," a horror-comedy, is poised to challenge the reigning champion "Hacks," which is making its final bid for awards. "Widow's Bay" secured 8 wins at the Creative Arts Emmys, including a "guest actress in a comedy" award for Betty Gilpin. Other notable nominees for Outstanding Comedy Series include "Abbott Elementary," "The Bear," and "Only Murders in the Building."

For Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Noah Wyle is predicted to win for his role in "The Pitt." Wyle, a former "ER" star, is recognized for his compelling performance and his prominent role in the industry favorite. Other nominees include Sterling K. Brown for "Paradise" and Gary Oldman for "Slow Horses."

Zendaya is a frontrunner for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for "Euphoria." Despite the show's final season receiving mixed reviews, Zendaya's past Emmy wins and her star power make her a likely recipient. Nominees in this category include Carrie Coon for "The Gilded Age" and Keri Russell for "The Diplomat."

Matthew Rhys is expected to take home the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his work in "Widow's Bay." His performance in the breakout summer hit has earned him widespread acclaim, and this nomination adds to his career recognition. Nominees include Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for "Wonder Man" and Steve Carell for "Rooster."

Jean Smart is predicted to win her fifth Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for "Hacks." Her role in the show's final season has been widely celebrated, and she faces strong competition from Quinta Brunson for "Abbott Elementary" and Ayo Edebiri for "The Bear."

In the supporting acting categories, Shawn Hatosy is favored for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for "The Pitt," despite stiff competition from co-star Patrick Ball. Katherine LaNasa is also predicted to win Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for "The Pitt," continuing her winning streak.

For the comedy supporting categories, Stephen Root is a likely winner for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for "Widow's Bay," recognizing his extensive career. Kate O'Flynn is also expected to win Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for "Widow's Bay."

"DTF St. Louis" is the predicted winner for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, bolstered by supporting acting wins for David Harbour and Linda Cardellini at the Creative Arts Emmys. In the lead actor category for limited series, Matthew Rhys is a potential winner for "The Beast in Me," which would mark a rare achievement of winning two Emmys in different categories in the same year. Sarah Pidgeon is favored to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for "Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette."

The 2026 Emmy Awards ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and will air on NBC and Peacock on September 14 at 8 p.m. ET.