A NOTE FROM SCOTT: On Wednesday morning, the TV Academy announced its finalists for more than 100 Primetime Emmy Awards categories, as selected by the organization’s 27,000 voters from 31 different peer groups.
As I anticipated in my final pre-nominations forecast, HBO Max’s drama series The Pitt and comedy series Hacks, Apple TV’s comedy series Widow’s Bay and Netflix’s anthology series Beef all had great showings. Underperforming expectations were FX/FX on Hulu’s comedy series The Bear and limited series Love Story, as well as CBS’ reality competition program The Amazing Race. And there were plenty of other eyebrow-raising inclusions and omissions, as well — for instance, Apple TV’s Your Friends & Neighbors landed a best drama series nom, but no other mentions, whereas HBO’s Task received nods for acting, writing and directing, but not a nom for best drama series. I dissected it all at length in my analysis post.
Now, it is time to begin looking ahead.
We are less than six weeks away from the start of final voting period, which will run Aug. 17-26. Obviously, a lot can change between now and then. From the looks of my inbox, a lot of nominees — or at least their publicists — are anxious to hit the campaign trail hard. But for the time being, here is where I think things stand in 63 categories encompassing programs, acting, writing, directing, music, casting and more.
PLEASE REMEMBER: These forecasts do not necessarily reflect Scott’s personal preferences. His aim is not to advocate for what he thinks the members of the Television Academy should do, but rather to project what they will do.
Best Drama Series
Image Credit: Warrick Page/HBO Max
Projected Order of Finish
1. The Pitt (HBO Max, s. 2, 15 eps., Jan. 8-April 4, 2026)
2. Pluribus (Apple TV, s. 1, 9 eps., Nov. 7-Dec. 24, 2025)
3. The Diplomat (Netflix, s. 3, 8 eps., Oct. 16, 2025)
4. Slow Horses (Apple TV, s. 5, 6 eps., Sept. 24-Oct. 29, 2025)
5. Paradise (Hulu, s. 2, 8 eps., Feb. 23-March 30, 2026)
6. The Gilded Age (HBO, s. 3, 8 eps., 6/22/25-8/10/25)
7. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO, s. 1, 6 eps., Jan. 18-Feb. 22, 2026)
8. Your Friends & Neighbors (Apple TV, s. 2, 10 eps., 4/3/26-6/5/26)
Best Comedy Series
Image Credit: ‘Hacks’ (Courtesy HBO Max)
Projected Order of Finish
1. Hacks (HBO Max, s. 5, 10 eps., April 9-May 28, 2026)
2. Widow’s Bay (Apple TV, s. 1, 7 eps., April 29-June 17, 2026)
3. Shrinking (Apple TV, s. 3, 11 eps., Jan. 28-April 8, 2026)
4. Abbott Elementary (ABC, s. 5, 22 eps., Oct. 1, 2025-April 22, 2026)
5. Margo’s Got Money Troubles (Apple TV, s. 1, 8 eps., April 15-May 20, 2026)
6. The Bear (FX, s. 4, 10 eps., June 25, 2025)
7. Only Murders in the Building (Hulu, s. 5, 10 eps., Sept. 9-Oct. 28, 2025)
8. Nobody Wants This (Netflix, s. 2, 10 eps., Oct. 23, 2025)
Best Limited or Anthology Series
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Projected Order of Finish
1. Beef (Netflix, s. 2, 8 eps., April 16, 2026)
2. DTF St. Louis (HBO Max, s. 1, 7 eps., March 1-April 12, 2026)
3. Love Story (FX/FX on Hulu, s. 1, 8 eps., Feb. 12-March 26, 2026)
4. The Beast in Me (Netflix, s. 1, 8 eps., Nov. 13, 2025)
5. All Her Fault (Peacock, s. 1, 8 eps., Nov. 7-Dec, 26, 2025)
Best Movie
Image Credit: Courtesy of Everett Collection
Projected Nominees
1. Remarkably Bright Creatures (Netflix, May 8, 2026)
2. Miss You, Love You (HBO, May 29, 2026)
3. Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan Ghost War (Prime Video, May 20, 2026)
4. Heads of State (Prime Video, 7/2/25)
5. People We Meet on Vacation (Netflix, 1/9/26)
Best Variety Series
Image Credit: Scott Kowalchyk/CBS
Projected Order of Finish
1. The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS, s. 11, 118 eps., Sept. 2, 2025-TBD) — podcast [Stephen Colbert]
2. Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO, s. 13, TBD eps., Fe. 15, 2026-TBD)
3. Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC, s. 24, TBD eps., Sept. 2, 2025-TBD) — podcast [Jimmy Kimmel]
4. Saturday Night Live (NBC, s. 51, 20 eps., Oct. 4, 2025-TBD) — podcast [Lorne Michaels]
5. The Daily Show (Comedy Central, s. 31, TBD eps., Jan. 5, 2026-TBD)
Best Variety Special (Live)
Image Credit: Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
Projected Order of Finish
1. The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny (NBC, Feb. 8, 2026)
2. The Oscars (ABC, March 15, 2026)
3. 68th Annual Grammy Awards (CBS, Feb.1, 2026)
4. 78th Annual Tony Awards (CBS, June 8, 2025)
5. 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards (CBS, Jan. 11, 2026)
Best Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)
Image Credit: Ashok Kumar/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management
Projected Nominees
1. Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour — The Final Show (Disney+, Dec. 12, 2025)
2. Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable … (Netflix, Dec. 19, 2025)
3. Wicked: One Wonderful Night (NBC, Nov. 6, 2025) — podcast [Ben Winston]
4. The Muppet Show (Disney+, Feb. 4, 2026) — podcast 1 and 2 [Seth Rogen]
5. Nikki Glaser: Good Girl (Hulu, April 24, 2026)
Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special
Image Credit: Courtesy of HBO
Projected Order of Finish
1. Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! (HBO Max) — podcast [Judd Apatow]
2. My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay (HBO) — podcast [Mariska Hargitay]
3. Marty, Life Is Short (Netflix) — podcast [Martin Short]
4. John Candy: I Like Me (Prime Video)
5. Ocean With David Attenborough (Nat Geo)
Best Documentary or Nonfiction Series
Image Credit: Netflix
Projected Order of Finish
1. Sean Combs: The Reckoning (Netflix)
2. Mr. Scorsese (Apple TV) — podcast [Martin Scorsese]
3. The American Revolution (PBS) — podcast [Ken Burns]
4. The Yogurt Shop Murders (HBO Max)
5. Rafa (Netflix)
Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking
Image Credit: Amy Bench/Courtesy of Sundance Institute
Projected Order of Finish
1. The Librarians (BBC)
2. The Tale of Silyan (Nat Geo)
Best Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Projected Order of Finish
1. My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman (Netflix) — podcast [David Letterman]
2. Tucci in Italy (Nat Geo) — podcast [Stanley Tucci]
3. The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy (Apple TV) — podcast [Eugene Levy]
4. Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (PBS)
5. The Daily Show Presents: Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Give the Man a Prize (Comedy Central)
Best Reality Competition Program
Image Credit: Euan Cherry/Peacock
Projected Order of Finish
1. The Traitors (Peacock)
2. RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV) — podcast [RuPaul Charles]
3. Survivor (CBS)
4. Top Chef (Bravo)
5. Dancing With the Stars (ABC)
Best Structured Reality Program
Image Credit: Kit Karzen/Netflix
Projected Order of Finish
1. Queer Eye (Netflix)
2. Love Is Blind (Netflix)
3. Shark Tank (ABC)
4. Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (Food Network)
5. Antiques Roadshow (PBS)
Best Unstructured Reality Program
Image Credit: Netflix
Projected Order of Finish
1. Love on the Spectrum (Netflix)
2. Welcome to Wrexham (FX)
3. RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked (MTV)
4. Summer House (Bravo)
5. America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (Netflix)
Best Animated Program
Image Credit: Comedy Central
Projected Order of Finish
1. South Park (Comedy Central)
2. Bob’s Burgers (Fox)
3. The Simpsons (Fox)
4. Star Wars: Visions (Disney+)
5. Rick and Morty (Adult Swim)
6. Smiling Friends (Adult Swim)
Best Game Show
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS
Projected Order of Finish
1. Jeopardy! (ABC/Syndicated)
2. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (ABC) — podcast [Jimmy Kimmel]
3. Celebrity Family Feud (ABC)
4. Wheel of Fortune (ABC/Syndicated) — podcast [Ryan Seacrest]
5. The Price Is Right (CBS)
Best Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series
Image Credit: Scott Kowalchyk/CBS
Projected Order of Finish
1. Colbert Before Air (YouTube) — podcast [Stephen Colbert]
2. The Daily Show: Desi Lydic Foxsplains (Comedy Central)
3. Bad Thoughts (Netflix)
4. Subwaytakes (YouTube)
5. The Randy Rainbow Show (YouTube)
Best Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series
Image Credit: Warrick Page/HBO Max
Projected Order of Finish
1. Inside The Pitt (HBO Max)
2. Hacks: Bit by Bit (HBO Max)
3. This Is a Gardening Show (Netflix)
4. Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette — A Love Untold (FX)
5. Shrinking — In It Together (Apple TV)
Best Actor in a Drama Series
Image Credit: Courtesy of HBO Max
Projected Order of Finish
1. Noah Wyle for The Pitt (HBO Max, s. 2, 15 eps., Jan. 8-April 16, 2026) — podcast
2. Mark Ruffalo for Task (HBO, s. 1, 7 eps., Sept. 7-Oct. 19, 2025)
3. Sterling K. Brown for Paradise (Hulu, s. 2, 8 eps., Feb. 23-March 30, 2026) — podcast
4. Gary Oldman for Slow Horses (Apple TV, s. 5, 6 eps., Sept. 24-Oct. 29, 2025) — podcast
5. Rufus Sewell for The Diplomat (Netflix, s. 3, 8 eps., Oct. 16, 2025)
Best Actress in a Drama Series
Image Credit: Apple TV+
Projected Order of Finish
1. Rhea Seehorn for Pluribus (Apple TV, s. 1, 9 eps., Nov. 7-Dec. 24, 2025) — podcast
2. Keri Russell for The Diplomat (Netflix, s. 3, 8 eps., Oct. 16, 2025) — podcast
3. Zendaya for Euphoria (HBO, s. 3, 8 eps., April 12-May 31, 2026) — podcast
4. Carrie Coon for The Gilded Age (HBO, s. 3, 8 eps., June 22-Aug. 10, 2025)
5. Chase Infiniti for The Testaments (Hulu, s. 1, 10 eps., April 8-May 27, 2026)
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Image Credit: Peter Kramer/HBO
Projected Nominees
1. Tom Pelphrey for Task (HBO, s. 1, 7 eps., Sept. 7-Oct. 19, 2025) — podcast
2. Patrick Ball for The Pitt (HBO Max, s. 2, 15 eps., Jan. 8-April 16, 2026)
3. Billy Crudup for The Morning Show (Apple TV, s. 4, 10 eps., Sept. 17-Nov. 19, 2025)
4. Jack Lowden for Slow Horses (Apple TV, s. 5, 6 eps., Sept. 24-Oct. 29, 2025)
5. Shawn Hatosy for The Pitt (HBO Max, s. 2, 15 eps., Jan. 8-April 16, 2026)
6. Carlos-Manuel Vesga for Pluribus (Apple TV, s. 1, 9 eps., Nov. 7-Dec. 24, 2025)
7. Gerran Howell for The Pitt (HBO Max, s. 2, 15 eps., Jan. 8-April 16, 2026)
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Image Credit: Warrick Page/HBO Max
Projected Order of Finish
1. Sepideh Moafi for The Pitt (HBO Max, s. 2, 15 eps., Jan. 8-April 16, 2026)
2. Katherine LaNasa for The Pitt (HBO Max, s. 2, 15 eps., Jan. 8-April 16, 2026)
3. Karolina Wydra for Pluribus (Apple TV, s. 1, 9 eps., Nov. 7-Dec. 24, 2025)
4. Julianne Nicholson for Paradise (Hulu, s. 2, 8 eps., Feb. 23-March 30, 2026)
5. Allison Janney on The Diplomat (Netflix, s. 3, 8 eps., Dec. 16, 2025) — podcast
6. Taylor Dearden for The Pitt (HBO Max, s. 2, 15 eps., Jan. 8-April 16, 2026)
7. Fiona Dourif for The Pitt (HBO Max, s. 2, 15 eps., Jan. 8-April 16, 2026)
Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Image Credit: Apple TV
Projected Order of Finish
1. Matthew Rhys for Widow’s Bay (Apple TV, s. 1, 7 eps., April 29-June 17, 2026)
2. Jason Segel for Shrinking (Apple TV, s. 3, 11 eps., Jan. 28-April 8, 2026) — podcast 1 and 2
3. Martin Short for Only Murders in the Building (Hulu, s. 5, 10 eps., Sept. 9-Oct. 28, 2025) — podcast
4. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for Wonder Man (Disney+, s. 1, 8 eps., Jan. 27, 2026)
5. Steve Carell for Rooster (HBO, s. 1, TBD eps., 3/8/26-TBD) — podcast
Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Image Credit: Courtesy of HBO Max
Projected Order of Finish
1. Jean Smart for Hacks (HBO Max, s. 5, 10 eps., April 9-May 28, 2026) — podcast
2. Lisa Kudrow for The Comeback (HBO, s. 3, 8 eps., March 22-May 10, 2026)
3. Elle Fanning for Margo’s Got Money Troubles (Apple TV, s. 1, 8 eps., April 15-May 20, 2026) — podcast
4. Quinta Brunson for Abbott Elementary (ABC, s. 5, 22 eps., Oct. 1-April 22, 2026) — podcast
5. Ayo Edebiri for The Bear (FX, s. 4, 10 eps., June 25, 2025)
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Image Credit: Courtesy of Apple TV
Projected Order of Finish
1. Harrison Ford for Shrinking (Apple TV, s. 3, 11 eps., Jan. 28-April 8, 2026) — podcast
2. Stephen Root for Widow’s Bay (Apple TV, s. 1, 7 eps., April 29-June 17, 2026)
3. Nick Offerman for Margo’s Got Money Troubles (Apple TV, s. 1, 8 eps., April 15-May 20, 2026)
4. Paul W. Downs for Hacks (HBO Max, s. 5, 10 eps., April 9-May 28, 2026)
5. Michael Urie for Shrinking (Apple TV, s. 3, 11 eps., Jan. 28-April 8, 2026)
6. Tyler James Williams for Abbott Elementary (ABC, s. 5, 22 eps., Oct. 1, 2025-April 22, 2026)
7. Colman Domingo for The Four Seasons (Netflix, s. 2, 8 eps., May 28, 2026) — podcast
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Image Credit: Courtesy of HBO Max
Projected Order of Finish
1. Hannah Einbinder for Hacks (HBO Max, s. 5, 10 eps., April 9-May 28, 2026) — podcast
2. Kate O’Flynn for Widow’s Bay (Apple TV, s. 1, 7 eps., April 29-June 17, 2026)
3. Jessica Williams for Shrinking (Apple TV, s. 3, 11 eps., Jan. 28-April 8, 2026)
4. Michelle Pfeiffer for Margo’s Got Money Troubles (Apple TV, s. 1, 8 eps., April 15-May 20, 2026) — podcast
5. Janelle James for Abbott Elementary (ABC, s. 5, 22 eps., Oct. 1, 2025-April 22, 2026) — podcast
6. Megan Stalter for Hacks (HBO Max, s. 5, 10 eps., April 9-May 28, 2026) — podcast
7. Dale Dickey for Widow’s Bay (Apple TV, s. 1, 7 eps., April 29-June 17, 2026)
Best Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Projected Order of Finish
1. Oscar Isaac for Beef (Netflix, s. 2, 8 eps., April 16, 2026) — podcast
2. Matthew Rhys for The Beast in Me (Netflix, s. 1, 8 eps., Nov. 13, 2025)
3. Jason Bateman for Black Rabbit (Netflix, s. 1, 8 eps., 9/18/25) — podcast 1 and 2
4. Riz Ahmed for Bait (Prime Video, s. 1, 6 eps., March 25, 2026) — podcast
5. Charlie Hunnam for Monster: The Ed Gein Story (Netflix, s. 1, 8 eps., Oct. 3, 2025)
Best Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Projected Order of Finish
1. Sally Field for Remarkably Bright Creatures (Netflix, May 8, 2026) — podcast
2. Sarah Pidgeon for Love Story (FX/FX on Hulu, s. 1, 8 eps., Feb. 12-March 26, 2026)
3. Carey Mulligan for Beef (Netflix, s. 2, 8 eps., April 16, 2026) — podcast
4. Claire Danes for The Beast in Me (Netflix, s. 1, 8 eps., Nov. 13, 2025) — podcast
5. Sarah Snook for All Her Fault (Peacock, s. 1, 8 eps., Nov. 7-Dec. 26, 2025) — podcast
Best Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Image Credit: Tina Rowden/HBO
Projected Order of Finish
1. David Harbour for DTF St. Louis (HBO Max, s. 1, 7 eps., March 1-April 12, 2026)
2. Jason Bateman for DTF St. Louis (HBO Max, s. 1, 7 eps., March 1-April 12, 2026) — podcast 1 and 2
3. Charles Melton for Beef (Netflix, s. 2, 8 eps., April 16, 2026)
4. Nick Offerman for Death by Lightning (Netflix, s. 1, 4 eps., Nov. 6, 2025)
5. Richard Gadd for Half Man (HBO, s. 1, 6 eps., April 23, 2026-TBD)
6. Richard Jenkins for DTF St. Louis (HBO Max, s. 1, 7 eps., March 1-April 12, 2026)
Best Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Image Credit: Photograph by Tina Rowden/HBO
Projected Order of Finish
1. Linda Cardellini for DTF St. Louis (HBO Max, s. 1, 7 eps., March 1-April 12, 2026)
2. Laurie Metcalf for Monster: The Ed Gein Story (Netflix, s. 1, 8 eps., Oct. 3, 2025)
3. Constance Zimmer for Love Story (FX/FX on Hulu, s. 1, 8 eps., Feb. 12, 2026-March 26, 2026)
4. Yuh-Jung Youn for Beef (Netflix, s. 2, 8 eps., April 16, 2026)
5. Dakota Fanning for All Her Fault (Peacock, s. 1, 8 eps., Nov. 7-Dec. 26, 2025) — podcast
6. Joy Sunday for DTF St. Louis (HBO Max, s. 1, 7 eps., March 1-April 12, 2026)
Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Image Credit: Patrick Wymore/HBO
Projected Order of Finish
1. Colman Domingo for Euphoria (HBO, s. 3, 8 eps., April 12- May 31, 2026) — podcast
2. Bradley Whitford for The Diplomat (Netflix, s. 3, 8 eps., Oct. 16, 2025)
3. Jonathan Pryce for Slow Horses (Apple TV, s. 5, 6 eps., Sept. 24-Oct. 29, 2025) — podcast
4. Jeff Kober for The Pitt (HBO Max, s. 2, 15 eps., Jan. 8-April 16, 2026)
5. Ernest Harden Jr. for The Pitt (HBO Max, s. 2, 15 eps., Jan. 8-April 16, 2026)
6. Jeff Hiller for Pluribus (Apple TV, s. 1, 9 eps., 11/7/25-12/24/25)
Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Image Credit: Courtesy of Hulu
Projected Order of Finish
1. Shailene Woodley for Paradise (Hulu, s. 2, 8 eps., Feb. 23-March 30, 2026)
2. Tal Anderson for The Pitt (HBO Max, s. 2, 15 eps., Jan. 8-April 16, 2026)
3. Brittany Allen for The Pitt (HBO Max, s. 2, 15 eps., Jan. 8-April 16, 2026)
4. Miriam Shor for Pluribus (Apple TV, s. 1, 9 eps., Nov. 7-Dec. 24, 2025)
5. Merritt Wever for The Gilded Age (HBO, s. 3, 8 eps., June 22-Augl. 10, 2025)
6. Tina Ivlev for The Pitt (HBO Max, s. 2, 15 eps., Jan. 8-April 16, 2026)
Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Image Credit: Apple TV
Projected Nominees
1. Michael J. Fox for Shrinking (Apple TV, s. 3, 11 eps., Jan. 28-April 8, 2026)
2. Rob Reiner for The Bear (FX, s. 4, 10 eps., June 25, 2025) — podcast
3. Connor Storrie for Saturday Night Live (NBC, s. 51, 20 eps., Oct. 4, 2025-TBD)
4. Hamish Linklater for Widow’s Bay (Apple TV, s. 1, 7 eps., April 29-June 17, 2026)
5. Christopher McDonald for Hacks (HBO Max, s. 5, 10 eps., 4/9/26-5/28/26)
6. Brett Goldstein for Shrinking (Apple TV, s. 3, 11 eps., Jan. 28-April 8, 2026)
Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Image Credit: HBO Max
Projected Order of Finish
1. Kaitlin Olson for Hacks (HBO Max, s. 5, 10 eps., April 9-May 28, 2026)
2. Betty Gilpin for Widow’s Bay (Apple TV, s. 1, 7 eps., April 29-June 17, 2026)
3. Jamie Lee Curtis for The Bear (FX, s. 4, 10 eps., June 25, 2025)
4. Laurie Metcalf for Hacks (HBO Max, s. 5, 10 eps., April 9-May 28, 2026)
5. Cherry Jones for Hacks (HBO Max, s. 5, 10 eps., April 9-May 28, 2026)
6. Leslie Bibb for Hacks (HBO Max, s. 5, 10 eps., April 9-May 28, 2026)
7. Lauren Weedman for Hacks (HBO Max, s. 5, 10 eps., April 9-May 28, 2026)
Best Performer in a Shortform Comedy or Drama Series
Image Credit: Matt Wilson/Comedy Central
Projected Order of Finish
1. Desi Lydic for The Daily Show: Desi Lydic Foxsplains (Comedy Central)
2. Randy Rainbow for The Randy Rainbow Show (YouTube)
3. Kim Estes for Big Law (Vimeo)
Best Character Voiceover Performance
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Projected Order of Finish
1. Julie Andrews for Bridgerton (Netflix), “The Waltz”
2. Hank Azaria for The Simpsons (Fox), “Keep Chalm and Gary On” — podcast
3. Trey Parker for South Park (Comedy Central), “Sermon on the Mount”
4. Matt Vogel for The Muppet Show (Disney+)
5. Pamela Adlon for King of the Hill (Hulu), “Any Given Hill-day”
6. Steven Yeun for Invincible (Prime Video), “Don’t Leave Me Hanging Here — podcast
Best Narrator
Image Credit: Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios/Keith Scholey
Projected Order of Finish
1. David Attenborough for Ocean With David Attenborough (Nat Geo)
2. Jodie Foster for Breakdown: 1975 (Netflix) — podcast
3. Werner Herzog for Ghost Elephants (Nat Geo)
4. Octavia Spencer for Lost Women of Alaska (Investigation Discovery), “The Missing”
5. David Attenborough for A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough (Netflix)
Best Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program
Image Credit: Euan Cherry/Peacock
Projected Order of Finish
1. Alan Cumming for The Traitors (Peacock)
2. Jeff Probst for Survivor (CBS)
3. RuPaul Charles for RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV) — podcast
4. Kristen Kish for Top Chef (Bravo)
5. Ariana Madix for Love Island USA (Peacock)
Best Directing for a Drama Series
Image Credit: Warrick Page/HBO Max
Projected Order of Finish
1. The Pitt (HBO Max), “12:00 P.M.” — Noah Wyle
2. Pluribus (Apple TV), “We Is Us” — Vince Gilligan
3. Slow Horses (Apple TV), “Scars” — Saul Metzstein
4. Paradise (Hulu), “Exodus” — Hanelle M. Culpepper
5. Task (HBO), “Out Beyond Ideas of Wrongdoing and Rightdoing, There Is a River.” — Salli Richardson Whitfield
6. The Gilded Age (HBO), “My Mind Is Made Up” — Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Best Directing for a Comedy Series
Image Credit: Courtesy of HBO Max
Projected Order of Finish
1. Hacks (HBO Max), “Hacks (Finale)” — Lucia Aniello
2. Widow’s Bay (Apple TV), “Welcome to Widow’s Bay!” — Hiro Murai
3. The Bear (FX), “Bears” — Christopher Storer
4. Abbott Elementary (ABC), “Ballgame” — Randall Einhorn
5. The Chair Company (HBO), “Life goes by too f**king fast, it really does.” — Andrew DeYoung
6. The Ms. Pat Show (BET+), “Give It Arrest” — Mary Lou Belli
Best Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Image Credit: HBO
Projected Order of Finish
1. DTF St. Louis (HBO Max), series — Steven Conrad
2. Beef (Netflix), “It Will Stay This Way and You Will Obey” — Jake Schreier
3. Beef (Netflix), “Oh, the Comfort, the Inexpressible Comfort” — Lee Sung Jin
4. Black Rabbit (Netflix), “The Black Rabbits” — Jason Bateman — podcast 1 and 2
Best Directing for a Variety Series
Image Credit: Scott Kowalchyk ©2026 CBS Broadcasting Inc.
Projected Order of Finish
1. The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS), “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Series Finale” — Yvonne De Mare
2. Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC), “Guests: Robert De Niro as the New FCC Chair, Glen Powell, and Music from Sarah McLachlan” — Andy Fisher
3. Saturday Night Live (NBC), “Host: Olivia Rodrigo” — Liz Patrick
Best Directing for a Variety Special
Image Credit: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Projected Order of Finish
1. The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny (NBC, Feb. 8, 2026) — Hamish Hamilton
2. Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour — The Final Show (Disney+, Dec. 12, 2025) — Glenn Weiss
3. 78th Annual Tony Awards (CBS, June 8, 2025) — Glenn Weiss
4. Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable … (Netflix, Dec. 19, 2025) — Rikki Hughes
5. Wanda Sykes: Legacy (Netflix, May 19, 2026) — Julie Dash
Best Directing for a Documentary or Nonfiction Program
Image Credit: Courtesy of HBO
Projected Order of Finish
1. My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay (HBO) — Mariska Hargitay — podcast
2. Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! (HBO Max) — Judd Apatow — podcast
3. Mr. Scorsese (Apple TV) — Rebecca Miller
4. Sean Combs: The Reckoning (Netflix) — Alexandria Stapleton
5. Marty, Life Is Short (Netflix) — Lawrence Kasdan
Best Directing for a Reality Program
Image Credit: Euan Cherry/Peacock
Projected Order of Finish
1. The Traitors (Peacock), “Let the Cards Fall as They Will” — Ben Archard
2. The Amazing Race (CBS), “I’m Not a Big Fan of Olivies” — Bertram van Munster
3. Love on the Spectrum (Netflix), “Episode 1” — Cian O’Clery
4. RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), “Grand Finale” — Nick Murray
5. Top Chef (Bravo), “Carolina Roots” — Anna Moulaison
Best Writing for a Drama Series
Image Credit: Apple TV+
Projected Order of Finish
1. Pluribus (Apple TV), “We Is Us” — Vince Gilligan
2. Slow Horses (Apple TV), “Scars” — Will Smith
3. The Pitt (HBO Max), “1:00 P.M.” — R. Scott Gemmill & Kirsten Pierre-Geyfman
4. The Pitt (HBO Max), “12:00 P.M.” — Valerie Chu
5. The Diplomat (Netflix), “Amagansett” — Peter Ackerman & Debora Cahn
6. Task (HBO), “A Still Small Voice” — Brad Ingelsby
Best Writing for a Comedy Series
Image Credit: Courtesy of HBO Max
Projected Order of Finish
1. Hacks (HBO Max), “Hacks (Finale)” — Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs & Jen Statsky
2. Widow’s Bay (Apple TV), “Welcome to Widow’s Bay” — Katie Dippold
3. The Comeback (HBO), “Valerie Does It All” — Michael Patrick King & Lisa Kudrow
4. Abbott Elementary (ABC), “Team Building” — Quinta Brunson — podcast [Quinta Brunson]
5. The Chair Company (HBO), “Life goes by too f**king fast, it really does.” — Zach Kanin & Tim Robinson
6. Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat (Prime Video), “Mergers and Acquisitions” — Anthony King
Best Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Projected Order of Finish
1. Beef (Netflix), “All the Things We’re Never Going to Have” — Lee Sung Jin
2. DTF St. Louis (HBO) — Steven Conrad
3. The Beast in Me (Netflix), “Sick Puppy” — Daniel Pearle & Gabe Rotter
4. All Her Fault (Peacock), “Episode 8” — Megan Gallagher
5. Death by Lightning (Netflix) — Mike Makowsky
Best Writing for a Variety Series
Image Credit: Courtesy of HBO
Projected Order of Finish
1. Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO, s. 13, TBD eps., Feb. 15, 2026-TBD)
2. The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS, s. 11, 118 eps., Sept. 2, 2025-TBD) — podcast [Stephen Colbert]
3. Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC, s. 24, TBD eps., Sept. 2, 2025-TBD) — podcast [Jimmy Kimmel]
4. The Daily Show (Comedy Central, s. 31, TBD eps., Jan. 5, 2026-TBD)
5. Saturday Night Live (NBC, s. 51, 20 eps., Oct.4, 2025-TBD) — podcast [Lorne Michaels]
Best Writing for a Variety Special
Image Credit: Disney/Ser Baffo
Projected Order of Finish
1. Nikki Glaser: Good Girl (Hulu, April 24, 2026) — Nikki Glaser
2. Wanda Sykes: Legacy (Netflix, May 19, 2026) — Wanda Sykes — podcast
3. The Oscars (ABC, March 15, 2026) — Amberia Allen, Jose Arroyo, Josh Comers, Dan Cronin, Jessie Gaskell, Skyler Higley, Berkley Johnson, Ian Karmel, Brian Kiley, Laurie Kilmartin, Carol Leifer, Todd Levin, Jon Macks, Conan O’Brien, Matt O’Brien, Agathe Panaretos, Mike Sweeney, Levi MacDougall & Eric Roth — podcast [Conan O’Brien]
4. The Muppet Show (Disney+) — Gabe Liedman, Albertina Rizzo, Nedaa Sweiss, Andrew Williams & Kelly Younger
5. Chris Fleming: Live at the Palace (HBO Max) — Chris Fleming
Best Writing for a Nonfiction Program
Image Credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Projected Order of Finish
1. The American Revolution (PBS), “Episode One: In Order to Be Free (May 1754 – May 1775)” — Geoffrey C. Ward
2. The Daily Show Presents: Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Give the Man a Prize (Comedy Central) — Ian Berger, Devin Delliquanti, Jennifer Flanz, Jordan Klepper, Zhubin Parang & Scott Sherman
3. The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy (Apple TV), “Living the Royal Life in the UK” — David Reilly and Christine Rose
Best Casting for a Drama Series
Image Credit: Warrick Page/HBO Max
Projected Order of Finish
1. The Pitt (HBO Max, s. 2, 15 eps., Jan. 8-April 16, 2026) — Erica Berger, Seth Caskey & Cathy Sandrich Gelfond
2. Pluribus (Apple TV, s. 1, 9 eps., Nov. 7-Dec. 24, 2025) — Sharon Bialy, Marie A.K. McMaster, Russell Scott & Sherry Thomas
4. Slow Horses (Apple TV, s. 5, 6 eps., Sept. 24-Oct. 29, 2025) — Melissa Gethin Clarke & Nina Gold
3. The Diplomat (Netflix, s. 3, 8 eps., Oct. 16, 2025) — Ellinor Isherwood, Lain Kunin, Julie Schubert, Lucinda Syson & Natasha Vincent
5. Paradise (Hulu, s. 2, 8 eps., Feb. 23-March 30, 2026) — Tiffany Little Canfield, Josh Einsohn & Brian Sutow
Best Casting for a Comedy Series
Image Credit: Apple TV
Projected Order of Finish
1. Widow’s Bay (Apple TV, s. 1, 7 eps., April 29-June 17, 2026) — Emily Buntyn, Allison Jones, Lisa Lobel & Angela Peri
2. Hacks (HBO Max, s. 5, 10 eps., April 9-May 28, 2026) — Linda Lowy, Morgan Smith & Lily Trotter
3. Shrinking (Apple TV, s. 3, 11 eps., Jan. 28-April 8, 2026) — Brett Benner, Debby Romano & Daniel Schwab
4. Only Murders in the Building (Hulu, s. 5, 10 eps., Sept. 9-Oct. 28, 2025) — Tiffany Little Canfield, Destiny Lilly & Bernard Telsey
5. Abbott Elementary (ABC, s. 5, 22 eps., Oct. 1, 2025-April 22, 2026) — Chris Gehrt & Wendy O’Brien
Best Casting for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Image Credit: FX
Projected Order of Finish
1. Love Story (FX/FX on Hulu, s. 1, 8 eps., Feb. 12-March 26, 2026) — Courtney Bright, Jennifer Brooks & Nicole Daniels
2. Beef (Netflix, s. 2, 8 eps., April 16, 2026) — Jeanie Bacharach
3. All Her Fault (Peacock, s. 1, 8 eps., Nov. 7-Dec. 26, 2025) — Matt Lander, Jane Norris, Djinous Rowling & David Rubin
4. DTF St. Louis (HBO) — Francine Maisler & Amber Wakefield
5. The Beast in Me (Netflix) — Kim Krakauer & Julie Tucker
Best Casting for a Reality Program
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Projected Order of Finish
1. Love on the Spectrum (Netflix) — Sean Bowman, Emily Frisbie, Ashley Morgan & Cian O’Clery
2. The Amazing Race (CBS) — Kayla Kellerbauer, Alex Stiner & Jesse Tannenbaum
3. RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV) — Goloka Bolte, Adam Cook & Michelle Redwine
4. Survivor (CBS) — Penni Lane Clifton, Heidi Hill, Caitlin Moore & Jesse Tannenbaum
5. Top Chef (Bravo) — Heather Allyn, Joy Barrett, Ron Mare, Sena Rich & Anna Sturgeon
Best Original Main Title Theme Music
Image Credit: Apple TV
Projected Order of Finish
1. Pluribus (Apple TV) — Dave Porter
2. All Her Fault (Peacock) — Jeff Beal
3. The Beast in Me (Netflix) — Sean Callery
4. The ‘Burbs (Peacock) — Michael Abels
5. Murderbot (Apple TV) — Amanda Jones
Best Original Music and Lyrics
Image Credit: onathan Hession/Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Projected Order of Finish
1. Wednesday (Netflix), “Woe Me the Money” — “The Dead Dance” by Lady Gaga, Henry Walter Russell & Andrew Watt — podcast [Lady Gaga]
2. The Boys (Prime Video), “The Frenchman, the Female, and the Man Called Mother’s Milk” — “Raise Him Up” by Daveed Diggs & Christopher Lennertz
3. South Park (Comedy Central), “The Crap Out” — “Christian Woman” by Trey Parker
4. Spider-Noir (Prime Video), “A Mistake I’ll Never Make Again” — “The Devil You Know” by Warren Oak Felder, Sebastian Kole & Daniel Pemberton
5. The Pitt (HBO Max), “12:00 P.M.” — “Need Someone” by Andrew Bird & Gavin Brivik
6. Hacks (HBO Max), “EGOT” — “Mis Figuritas” by Carlos Rafael Rivera & David Stal
Best Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Apple TV
Projected Order of Finish
1. Slow Horses (Apple TV), “Missiles” — Daniel Pemberton & Toydrum
2. Widow’s Bay (Apple TV), “Our History” — David Fleming
3. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO), “In the Name of the Mother” — Dan Romer
4. Spider-Noir (MGM+/Prime Video), “Step Into My Office” — Kris Bowers & Michael Dean Parsons
5. Pluribus (Apple TV), We Is Us” — Dave Porter
6. Palm Royale (Apple TV), “Maxine Drinks Martinis Now” — Jeff Toyne
Best Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score)
Image Credit: Narelle Portanier/Peacock
Projected Order of Finish
1. All Her Fault (Peacock), “Episode 7” — Jeff Beal
2. In the Blink of an Eye (Hulu) — Thomas Newman
3. The Beast in Me (Netflix), “The Beast and Me” — Sara Barone & Sean Callery
4. Black Rabbit (Netflix), “Isle of Joy” — Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans
5. Washington Black (), “If You See My Mama, Whisper Her This…” — Cameron Moody
Best Music Composition for a Documentary/Nonfiction or Reality Program (Original Dramatic Score)
Image Credit: Apple TV
Projected Order of Finish
1. Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age (Apple TV), “The Big Freeze” — Anze Rozman, Kara Talve & Hans Zimmer — podcast [Hans Zimmer]
2. Ocean With David Attenborough (Nat Geo) — Steven Price
3. Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! (HBO Max) — Jeff Morrow
4. High Horse: The Black Cowboy (Peacock) — Raphael Saadiq
5. John Candy: I Like Me (Prime Video) — Tyler Strickland
6. Kingdom (BBC America), “Episode 2” — Segun Akinola (BBC America)
Best Music Supervision
Image Credit: Apple TV+
Projected Order of Finish
1. Widow’s Bay (Apple TV), “Beach Reads” — Toko Nagata
2. Pluribus (Apple TV), “We Is Us” — Thomas Golubić
3. Stranger Things (Netflix), “Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up” — Nora Felder
4. Hacks (HBO Max), “Hacks” — Matt Biffa
5. The Boys (Prime Video), “Blood and Bone” — Michelle Johnson and Yvette Metoyer
6. Nobody Wants This (Netflix), “When Noah Met Joanne” — Jonathan Leahy, Manish Raval & Tom Wolfe
Best Music Direction
Image Credit: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images
Projected Order of Finish
1. The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny (NBC) — Miguel Gandelman
2. The Oscars (ABC) — Michael Bearden
3. Wicked: One Wonderful Night (NBC) — Stephen Oremus
4. The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS), “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Series Finale” — Louis Cato
5. Saturday Night Live (NBC), “Host: Jack Black” — Eli Brueggemann, Leon Pendarvis, Lenny Pickett & Maddie Rice
Best Title Design
Image Credit: Courtesy of HBO
Projected Order of Finish
1. It: Welcome to Derry (HBO) — Joseph Ahn, Aaron Becker, Li-Yu Chen, Seth Kleinberg, Michael Lo, Troy Miller, Lee Nelson & Hsien Lun Su
2. Spider-Noir (MGM+/Prime Video) — Christian Arnsparger, Rachel Brickel, Daniel Duda, Andrew Julien, Mason Nicoll, Peter Pak, John Van Unen & Arik Weiss
3. Ponies (Peacock) — Christoph Gabathuler, Lexi Gunvaldson, Charles Khoury, Ronnie Koff, Fernando Lazzari, Kathy Liang, Min Shi & Jeffrey Su
4. Smoke (Apple TV) — Rachel Brickel, Simon Chan, Ana Criado, Mason Nicoll, Peter Pak & Justin West
5. Young Sherlock (Prime Video) — Scott Bell, Henry Chang, Christoph Gabathuler, Lexi Gunvaldson, Ronnie Koff, Charlie Proctor, Min Shi & Elizabeth Steinberg
6. Murderbot (Apple TV) — Hazel Baird, Rob Cawdery, Ethem Cem, Phil Davies, Ben Jones, Joe Paniagua, Lance Slaton & Mike Zeng