The Pitt and Hacks Lead 2026 Emmy Nominations

HBO Max's 'The Pitt' leads all nominees with 25 nominations (or 26 per Engadget), followed closely by the final season of 'Hacks' with 24, as the Television Academy announced the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations on July 8. Newcomers 'Widow’s Bay' (Apple TV+) and 'Pluribus' (Apple TV+) also made strong showings with 19 and 18 nods, respectively Source: AP, BBC, The Guardian.

Acting Dominance & Notable Nominees

• 'The Pitt' earned 13 acting nominations—just one shy of the record set by 'Succession'—with four supporting actress and three supporting actor nods Source: AP, Los Angeles Times.
• 'Hacks' star Jean Smart is nominated for lead actress in a comedy for the fifth consecutive season; her castmate Hannah Einbinder and co-creator Paul W. Downs also received nods Source: AP.
• Matthew Rhys earned two lead acting nominations—for comedy ('Widow’s Bay') and limited series ('The Beast in Me')—making him the only person nominated in two lead categories Source: BBC, The Guardian.
• Mariska Hargitay will host the ceremony on September 14, becoming the first woman to do so since 2011 Source: AP, Excelsiormx.

Key Categories & Disagreements

Reports vary on 'The Pitt’s' exact nomination count: most outlets report 25, but Engadget cites 26 Source: Engadget vs. AP, LA Times. The drama series field includes 'Pluribus,' 'Slow Horses,' and 'The Diplomat,' while comedy series features 'Abbott Elementary,' 'The Bear,' and 'Widow’s Bay' Source: Gizmodo, CNN. The limited series race includes 'Beef' and 'All Her Fault' Source: Infobae.