Row one (l-to-r): Noah Wyle in 'The Pitt,' Rhea Seehorn in 'Pluribus,' Oscar Isaac in 'Beef,' row two (l-to-r): Sarah Pidgeon in 'Love Story,' Jason Segel in 'Shrinking' and Jean Smart in 'Hacks' Warrick Page/HBO Max; Apple TV+ (2); Courtesy of Netflix; FX; Courtesy of HBO Max The TV Academy’s voting period to determine this year’s Primetime Emmy nominations came to a close last Monday, July 22, but we won’t learn what and who the organization’s members — currently numbering more than 27,000 and spread across 31 peer groups — nominated until two Wednesdays from now, July 8.
In the meantime, I have carefully studied this year’s nomination ballots; consulted with a cross-section of voters and strategists; and reacquainted myself with the Emmys’ history books. And I am now able to share my best guesses of what and who will be nominated in 63 categories encompassing programs — narrative, nonfiction, variety, reality, animation, game and short form — as well as performances, directing, writing, hosting, casting, music, narration and more.
Below, you will find not only my projected nominees, but also “alternates” (what or who I think would be the likeliest beneficiary if one of my picks doesn’t pan out), “potential surprises” (perceived long-shots that actually have a chance) and “shoulda been a contendas” (essentially my shoutout to a contender that I regard as worthy but unlikely to make the cut).
I will next update my picks on July 8!
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Best Drama Series
Image Credit: Courtesy of HBO Max Projected Nominees 1. The Pitt (HBO Max, s. 2, 15 eps., 1/8/26-4/16/26) 2. Pluribus (Apple TV, s. 1, 9 eps., 11/7/25-12/24/25) 3. The Diplomat (Netflix, s. 3, 8 eps., 10/16/25) 4. Paradise (Hulu, s. 2, 8 eps., 2/23/26-3/30/26) 5. Stranger Things (Netflix, s. 5, 8 eps., 11/26/25-12/31/25) 6. Slow Horses (Apple TV, s. 5, 6 eps., 9/24/25-10/29/25) 7. Task (HBO, s. 1, 7 eps., 9/7/25-10/19/25) 8. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO, s. 1, 6 eps., 1/18/26-2/22/26)
Alternate Industry (HBO, s. 4, 8 eps., 1/11/26-3/1/26)
Potential Surprise Landman (Paramount+, s. 2, 10 eps., 11/16/25-1/18/26)
Shoulda Been a Contenda The Testaments (Hulu, s. 1, 10 eps., 4/8/26-5/27/26)
