The 2026 Emmy nominations are in, and HBO Max‘s medical drama The Pitt leads the pack with 25 total nominations, including outstanding drama series and 13 acting nominations. Star Noah Wyle earned a lead actor nod for his performance in the series.

HBO Max’s Hacks took second place with 24 nominations for its fifth season—the most ever for a comedy series, beating the previous record holders The Bear and The Studio, which each had 23 nominations.

Jean Smart’s Emmy Legacy

Jean Smart, star of Hacks, is in line to win her fifth Emmy for the show. If she takes home the prize, it will be her eighth Emmy overall, tying her with the record for most Emmy acting wins in history. Smart has been a consistent presence in Hacks, and the show’s success in its final season is partly a reflection of her performance and the ensemble’s chemistry.

For a comedy to maintain its quality and relevance through five seasons is rare. That Hacks has managed it speaks to the writing and casting.

Other Notable Nominees

Apple TV’s horror comedy Widow’s Bay earned 19 nominations. The breadth of nominations across different platforms shows the Emmy voting body is spreading recognition among the major streaming services, not consolidating all wins in one place.

The Emmy Awards will air live from L.A. Live’s Peacock Theatre on Monday, September 14 at 8 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. PT. That’s where the actual wins will be decided—the nominations are just the first step.

What These Nominations Mean

Twenty-five nominations for The Pitt represents significant industry recognition. It’s the kind of haul that keeps a show in the cultural conversation and can boost viewership and subscriber numbers for HBO Max. Award attention translates to audience attention.

For Jean Smart and Hacks, another nomination is validation of what fans already know: the show has stayed sharp through its entire run. Whether Smart wins or not, the recognition is substantial.

The Emmys have always been about peer recognition, and these nominations reflect what industry professionals think is worth watching this year.