Emmys 2026 winners list: The TV shows that took top honours
Show host Mariska Hargitay poses for photographs during a media preview for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, on Thursday in Los Angeles (Caroline Brehman/The Associated Press)Social SharingThe 78th Primetime Emmy Awards are here, celebrating the biggest shows, brightest stars and performances from this past year.
The ceremony gets underway live from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, hosted by Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay.
HBO is already coming in hot with not one but two smash hits leading the pack of nominations.
The Noah Wyle-led medical drama The Pitt tops the nominations with 25 nods, including one of the night's top prizes, outstanding drama series. The pile of nominations also puts Wyle in a strong spot for outstanding lead actor in a drama series.
HBO's buddy comedy Hacks follows close behind with 24 nominations — breaking the record for the most Emmy nominations for a comedy series in a single year. The previous record of 23 nominations was held by both The Bear and The Studio.
The Pitt star Noah Wyle and his wife, Sara Wells, attend the 78th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday. (Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty Images)Hacks is also in the running for outstanding comedy series, where it faces off against Shrinking and The Bear.
Apple TV is having a moment on the leaderboard, too, with its comedy-horror series Widow's Bay landing an impressive 19 nods. Its post-apocalyptic Pluribus is not far behind with 18, just ahead of Netflix's Beef, which picked up 16 nominations for its second season.
Speaking of back-to-back hits, all eyes will be on Zendaya to see whether she can make Emmy history again.
The Euphoria star is chasing a third outstanding lead actress in a drama series win, which would make her the youngest performer ever to claim the award three times.
Zendaya arrives at the Emmy Awards on Monday. (Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty Images)Zendaya became the youngest winner in the category at age 24, then made history again in 2022 as the youngest two-time winner for her role as Rue Bennett. She's nominated again this year for the show's final season.
Several stars have already taken home trophies from the two-night Creative Arts Emmy Awards held on Sept. 5 and 6.
That includes Bad Bunny, who became a first-time Emmy winner for his highly watched Apple Music Super Bowl LX halftime show, which took home seven awards, including outstanding variety special (live).
Espresso singer Sabrina Carpenter also won her first Emmy as an executive producer and performer on The Muppet Show, which won outstanding variety special (pre-recorded).
Did the Emmys get it right this year?
The late Rob Reiner was also honoured posthumously, winning outstanding guest actor in a comedy series for his role as Albert on The Bear.
This year’s marquee show will also introduce the Emmys' first new award in nearly 20 years: the Legacy Award. Organizers say the award will honour "programs that have made a profound and lasting impact on audiences and remain relevant to society, culture and the industry."
For a complete list of nominations in all categories, visit the Emmys website.
Kayla McLean is a web journalist with CBC News in Toronto. She grew up in Brampton, Ont., and received her bachelor of arts in media production at Toronto Metropolitan University. Before joining CBC in 2024, she worked as a breaking news reporter at Global News Toronto — covering everything from crime, sports, festivals and politics. She also reported for Global News's current affairs show, The New Reality, covering stories with a focus on racial equality and climate justice. She also previously held positions as a chase producer and writer for CTV News Channel.
