Emmys 2026 Ballot Reveals Strategic Submissions and Category Surprises
On June 11, the 2026 Emmy ballots were unveiled, revealing calculated submissions from various networks. HBO's 'The Pitt' chose to submit only series regulars, omitting recurring actors such as Amielynn Abellera. A source verified that HBO's decision permits recurring performers to submit themselves. Competing in Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, 'The Traitors' faces off against 'Last Week Tonight With John Oliver'. For the third consecutive year, eligible shows have decreased, with dramas now at 110 and limited series at 31. Due to fewer submissions, all six leading acting categories will feature five nominees. 'Widow's Bay' has postponed its final episodes for next year’s Emmys. The Outstanding Music and Lyrics category showcases songs from 'Only Murders in the Building' and 'Saturday Night Live', with notable narrators like George Clooney and Tom Hanks.
Key facts
- Emmys ballots released June 11, 2026
- The Pitt submitted only series regulars for acting categories
- Recurring performers like Amielynn Abellera and Irene Choi omitted from ballot
- The Traitors submitted for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series
- Eligible dramas dropped to 110 from 126 in 2025
- All six leading acting categories limited to five nominees
- Pluribus submitted seven episodes for writing consideration
- Widow's Bay saved three episodes for 2027 Emmys
- All's Fair classified as comedy despite 44-59 minute episodes
- David Attenborough on ballot for three different shows
- Zach Braff on directing ballot for three shows
- 23 shows eligible for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series
Entities
Artists
- Noah Wyle
- Katherine LaNasa
- Shawn Hatosy
- Shabana Azeez
- Isa Briones
- Taylor Dearden
- Fiona Dourif
- Supriya Ganesh
- Sepideh Moafi
- Patrick Ball
- Gerran Howell
- Charles Baker
- Lucas Iverson
- Amielynn Abellera
- Kristin Villanueva
- Jalen Thomas Brooks
- Brandon Mendez Homer
- Laëtitia Hollard
- Irene Choi
- Brittany Allen
- Alan Cumming
- Lucia Aniello
- Paul W. Downs
- Jen Statsky
- Katie Dippold
- Hiro Murai
- Michael Patrick King
- Lisa Kudrow
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach
- Jon Bernthal
- Ayo Edebiri
- Lionel Boyce
- Janicza Bravo
- Valerie Chu
- Kirsten Pierre-Geyfman
- R. Scott Gemmill
- Vince Gilligan
- Alison Tatlock
- Gordon Smith
- Richard Gadd
- Steven Conrad
- Lee Sung Jin
- Oscar Isaac
- Juli Weiner
- Gillian Robespierre
- Kim Rosenstock
- Crystle Roberson Dorsey
- Jesse Peretz
- Anthony Hemingway
- Jeff Hiller
- Bradley Whitford
- Cherry Jones
- Adam Sandler
- Kristen Wiig
- Beanie Feldstein
- David Archuleta
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Lady Gaga
- Chris Fleming
- Sarah Paulson
- Kim Kardashian
- Glenn Close
- Ira Parker
- John Cena
- George Clooney
- Jodie Foster
- Tom Hanks
- Kevin Costner
- Julianne Moore
- Octavia Spencer
- Kate Winslet
- David Attenborough
- Peter Coyote
- Liev Schreiber
- Werner Herzog
- Colman Domingo
- Jason Bateman
- Lorene Scafaria
- Destin Daniel Cretton
- Andrew Stanton
- Ti West
- Zach Braff
- Stanley Tucci
- Eva Longoria
- Eugene Levy
- Phil Rosenthal
- Tiffany Haddish
- Will Smith
- Henry Winkler
- Heather Gay
- Conan O'Brien
Institutions
- HBO
- Peacock
- Apple TV
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Disney Plus
- Prime Video
- BBC America
- National Geographic
- CNN
- History Channel
- TV Academy
- Emmys
- Vulture
Locations
- United States
- Africa
- Italy
- France