Key Takeaways
- Several major categories will not be included in the 2026 Emmys telecast.
- Best Supporting Actor and Actress in a Limited Series will move to the Creative Arts Emmys.
- The ceremony will feature 19 categories, down from 26 in 2025.
- Mariska Hargitay will host the event on September 14, 2026.
Major Changes Announced
The Television Academy has revealed that the 2026 Emmys will exclude several prominent categories from the main ceremony. This decision has raised eyebrows among fans and industry insiders alike.
Categories Affected
Notably, the Best Supporting Actor and Actress in a Limited Series or Movie categories will be presented at the Creative Arts Emmys, which take place a week prior to the main event. This means viewers will miss out on potential showdowns between stars like David Harbour and Jason Bateman, or Dakota Fanning and Laurie Metcalf.
Other categories shifting to the Creative Arts Emmys include Writing for a Variety Series, Directing for a Limited Series or Movie, and Writing for a Limited Series or Movie and Variety Special (Live).
Reduced Televised Categories
In total, the 2026 Primetime Emmys will feature only 19 categories, a notable reduction from the 26 categories that were televised in 2025. This change reflects the Academy’s effort to streamline the broadcast.
Statement from the Academy
The Television Academy explained that this adjustment is due to the “extraordinary breadth of work recognized each year” and the constraints of a three-hour broadcast. They described the change as a “thoughtful evolution” aimed at keeping the ceremony engaging for the television audience.
Notable Nominations
The Supporting Actor and Actress categories are filled with notable nominees. In the actress category, Linda Cardellini, Dakota Fanning, Laurie Metcalf, Joy Sunday, Youn Yuh-jung, and Constance Zimmer are all in contention. The actor category features Jason Bateman, Richard Gadd, David Harbour, Richard Jenkins, Charles Melton, and Nick Offerman.
Surprisingly, the exclusion of actors like David Harbour and Richard Gadd, who received acclaim for their performances, has sparked discussions about the Academy’s decision-making process.
Event Details
The 2026 Emmys will be hosted by Mariska Hargitay and will air live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 14, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. The Creative Arts Emmys are scheduled for September 5 and 6.
This year’s nominations are led by “The Pitt,” which garnered 25 nominations, followed closely by “Hacks” with 24, and Apple TV’s “Widow’s Bay” with 19 nominations.