Emmy Race 2026: Scott Feinberg's Early Predictions Across 17 Key Categories

Emmy 2026: A First Look at the Contenders

Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter's executive editor of awards coverage, has released his initial assessment of the Emmy race across 17 categories. With a wide field of contenders spanning every major streaming platform and network, the competition is shaping up to be one of the most diverse in recent memory.

Top Frontrunners

These are the titles currently sitting at the top of the pack:

• The Pitt (HBO Max) – Season 2, 15 episodes airing January 8 through April 16, 2026
• Pluribus (Apple TV+) – Season 1, 9 episodes airing November 7 through December 24, 2025
• The Diplomat (Netflix) – Season 3, 8 episodes premiering October 16, 2025
• Task (HBO) – Season 1, 7 episodes airing September 7 through October 19, 2025
• Slow Horses (Apple TV+) – Season 5, 6 episodes airing September 24 through October 29, 2025
• Paradise (Hulu) – Season 2, 8 episodes airing February 23 through March 30, 2026
• Stranger Things (Netflix) – Season 5, 8 episodes airing November 26 through December 31, 2025
• Landman (Paramount+) – Season 2, 10 episodes airing November 16, 2025 through January 18, 2026

Major Threats Worth Watching

Just behind the frontrunners, these shows carry serious Emmy momentum:

• Fallout (Prime Video) – Season 2, 8 episodes airing December 16, 2025 through February 3, 2026
• The Gilded Age (HBO) – Season 3, 8 episodes airing June 22 through August 10, 2025
• The Morning Show (Apple TV+) – Season 4, 10 episodes airing September 17 through November 19, 2025
• The Madison (Paramount+) – Season 1, 6 episodes airing March 14 through March 21, 2026
• Industry (HBO) – Season 4, 8 episodes airing January 11 through March 1, 2026

Realistic Possibilities

These contenders have a genuine shot but will need strong performances and awards traction:

• The Testaments (Hulu) – Season 1, 10 episodes airing April 8 through May 27, 2026
• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO) – Season 1, 6 episodes airing January 18 through February 22, 2026
• Euphoria (HBO) – Season 3, 8 episodes airing April 12 through May 31, 2026
• The Night Manager (Amazon Prime) – Season 2, 6 episodes airing January 1 through February 1, 2026
• Alien: Earth (FX/FX on Hulu) – Season 1, 8 episodes airing August 12 through September 23, 2025

Long Shots

These titles face steeper odds, but stranger things have happened in awards races:

• The Boys (Prime Video) – Season 5, 8 episodes airing April 8 through May 20, 2026
• Matlock (CBS) – Season 2, 16 episodes beginning October 12, 2025
• IT: Welcome to Derry (HBO) – Season 1, 8 episodes airing October 26 through December 14, 2025
• The Audacity (AMC) – Season 1, 8 episodes airing April 12 through May 31, 2026
• Down Cemetery Road (Apple TV+) – Season 1, 8 episodes airing October 29 through December 10, 2025

A Competitive Season Ahead

With heavyweights like HBO, Netflix, Apple TV+, and Hulu all fielding strong contenders, the road to Emmy glory in 2026 will be fiercely contested. As eligibility windows close and more episodes air, expect these rankings to shift considerably before nominations are announced.