With the 2026 Emmy Awards set for September, we’re firmly in the phase where narratives are forming, and early frontrunners are beginning to separate themselves from the pack. Recent releases and returning heavyweights like The Diplomat, The Pitt, Stranger Things, etc. continue to dominate the conversation, while newer entries such as Task and The Testaments have added fresh competition across major categories.

The field looks competitive and crowded in most categories, but if you’d take a closer look, there are clear frontrunners in some of them. Streaming platforms are once again leading the charge, but there’s a noticeable push from networks. Something that’s missing this year is the presence of international juggernauts with the end of shows like Squid Game and Pachinko.

Some performances are driving much of the early buzz, with several actors aiming to win their first Emmy. At the same time, category placements and campaign strategies will be crucial, especially in tightly contested races. With a strong mix of returning favorites and breakout hits, the stage is set for another exciting run.

Here’s an early look at the biggest contenders for the 2026 Emmy Awards.

Outstanding Drama Series

1. The Diplomat
2. The Pitt
3. Task
4. Paradise
5. Slow Horses
6. A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms
7. Pluribus
8. The Testaments

Threats: Stranger Things, Industry, The Morning Show

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

1. Noah Wyle (The Pitt)
2. Gary Oldman (Slow Horses)
3. Mark Ruffalo (Task)
4. Sterling K. Brown (Paradise)
5. Peter Claffey (A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms)

Threats: Jon Hamm (Your Friends and Neighbors), Walton Goggins (Fallout), Billy Bob Thornton (Landman)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series-

1. Rhea Seehorn (Pluribus)
2. Keri Russell (The Diplomat)
3. Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age)
4. Kathy Bates (Matlock)
5. Michelle Pfeiffer (The Madison)

Threats: Zendaya (Euphoria), Chase Infiniti (The Testaments)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

1. Tom Pelphrey (Task)
2. Dexter Sol Ansell (A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms)
3. Patrick Ball (The Pitt)
4. Billy Crudup (The Morning Show)
5. Carlos Manuel-Vesga (Pluribus)
6. Jack Lowden (Slow Horses)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

1. Supriya Ganesh (The Pitt)
2. Allison Janney (The Diplomat)
3. Katherine LaNasa (The Pitt)
4. Sepideh Moafi (The Pitt)
5. Julianne Nicholson (Paradise)
6. Karolina Wydra (Pluribus)
7. Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria)

Outstanding Comedy Series

1. Shrinking
2. Margo’s Got Money Troubles
3. Nobody Wants This
4. The Bear
5. Hacks
6. Abbott Elementary
7. Only Murders In The Building
8. Rooster

Threats: I Love LA, Spider-Noir, The Comeback

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

1. Jeremy Allen-White (The Bear)
2. Jason Segel (Shrinking)
3. Steve Carell (Rooster)
4. Steve Martin (Only Murders In The Building)
5. Martin Short (Only Murders In The Building)

Threats: Adam Brody (Nobody Wants This), Ethan Hawke (The Lowdown)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

1. Jean Smart (Hacks)
2. Selena Gomez (Only Murders In The Building)
3. Ayo Edebiri (The Bear)
4. Elle Fanning (Margo’s Got Money Troubles)
5. Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary)

Threats: Rachel Sennott (I Love LA), Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback), Kristen Bell (Nobody Wants This)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

1. Harrison Ford (Shrinking)
2. Paul W. Downs (Hacks)
3. Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear)
4. Bowen Yang (SNL)
5. Nick Offerman (Margo’s Got Money Troubles)
6. Michael Urie (Shrinking)

Threats: Ben Kingsley (Wonder Man), Brett Goldstein (Shrinking)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

1. Hannah Einbinder (Hacks)
2. Janelle James (Abbott Elementary)
3. Michelle Pfeiffer (Margo’s Got Money Troubles)
4. Jessica Williams (Shrinking)
5. Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear)
6. Megan Stalter (Hacks)
7. Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary)

Outstanding Limited Series/Anthology

1. Half Man
2. Lord Of The Flies
3. Bait
4. Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bissette
5. Beef

Threats: The Beast In Me, All Her Fault, DTF St. Louis

Outstanding Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

1. Richard Gadd (Half Man)
2. Riz Ahmed (Bait)
3. Oscar Isaac (Beef)
4. Charlie Hunnam (Monster: The Ed Gein Story)
5. Paul Anthony Kelly (Love Story)

Threats: Matthew Rhys (The Beast In Me), Jason Bateman (DTF St. Louis)

Outstanding Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

1. Carey Mulligan (Beef)
2. Sarah Pidgeon (Love Story)
3. Sarah Snook (All Her Fault)
4. Claire Danes (The Beast In Me)
5. Sally Field (Remarkably Bright Creatures)

Threats: Robin Wright (The Girlfriend)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

1. Jamie Bell (Half Man)
2. Nick Offerman (Death By Lightning)
3. Charles Melton (Beef)
4. Alessandro Nivola (Love Story)
5. Jake Lacy (All Her Fault)
6. Guz Khan (Bait)
7. Stuart Campbell (Half Man)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

1. Cailee Spaeny (Beef)
2. Grace Gummer (Love Story)
3. Laurie Metcalf (Monster: The Ed Gein Story)
4. Naomi Watts (Love Story)
5. Yuh-Jung Youn (Beef)
6. Amy Manson (Half Man)
7. Linda Cardellini (DTF St. Louis)