Emmy 2026: The Pitt and Widow’s Bay Lead Predictions

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Predictions point to HBO Max dominance, record numbers for Widow’s Bay and a delicate outlook for Hacks’ farewell.

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Projections for the 2026 Emmys put The Pitt and Widow’s Bay at the center of the race, with HBO Max in a strong position to dominate the awards. The drama categories appear to have a clearer outcome, while the comedy and limited-series races remain wide open.

Last year’s drama champion, The Pitt, is projected to expand its five-win debut to as many as seven trophies. The medical drama is expected to repeat as best drama series and could also earn awards for Noah Wyle, Katherine LaNasa and its casting team.

In comedy, the boldest projection is for Widow’s Bay. The horror series created by Katie Dippold is tipped to win 15 Emmys, including best comedy series. If the prediction comes true, the series will surpass The Studio’s record of 13 trophies in a single ceremony.

That stands in contrast to Hacks, which secured 24 nominations and set the record for the most nominations ever received by a comedy. The show’s fifth and final season is projected to win just once: Jean Smart’s eighth acting Emmy for Deborah Vance. If Lisa Kudrow wins best comedy actress for The Comeback and Hacks goes home empty-handed in the Creative Arts categories, its farewell season could surpass The Handmaid’s Tale’s 21 losses in 2021 and record the most defeats in a single season.

Among limited series, Netflix’s second season of Beef is projected to win six awards, fueled by potential acting victories for Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan. HBO’s DTF St. Louis also remains in contention.

The new “field award” format could allow more than one series to win in the variety category, opening the door for Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show and Jimmy Kimmel to take home trophies without having to beat each other.