The Nod office has some thoughts on the 2026 Emmys

The Emmys are almost here, and as usual television has given us plenty to talk about before anyone has even walked the red carpet. The 78th Emmy Awards will take place on September 14 (Tuesday morning for us), and this year’s ceremony has already arrived with a little baggage. The Television Academy moved five categories, including supporting acting in a limited series as well as writing and directing, out of the main broadcast, prompting the unions to accuse the Academy of devaluing the very people it is supposed to celebrate.

And then there is Widow’s Bay, the new kid that is making the established favourites a little nervous. The Apple TV horror-comedy has swept eight awards at the Creative Arts Emmys, putting a serious dent to the assumption that Hacks would glide through its farewell season. Hacks, after all, is coming in with a record 24 nominations, with Jean Smart chasing a fifth consecutive win. Meanwhile, fans of Heated Rivalry are quite upset about the show’s Emmy shutout, although it’s for technical reasons, but at least they have a second season to look forward to. Beyond the Hacks versus Widow’s Bay face-off, the familiar favourites still have plenty of ground to cover. The Pitt, The Bear, and Slow Horses are all in the mix, while newer shows like Pluribus and Margot’s Got Money Troubles have given the season a few new contenders to root for. We had predictions, grievances, very specific demands, and at least one campaign for an animal acting category. Here’s what was overheard around the office ahead of Emmy night:

“Keri Russell NEEDS to win for The Diplomat. How many more years are we going to make this woman stand around looking devastated before we give her an Emmy? Enough. Free Keri Russell.” —Sheya Kurian

“I can’t tell if it’s a good thing or a bad thing for the future of TV if Subway Takes wins an Emmy.” —Saniya Jaffer

“It’s okay if Your Friends & Neighbors isn’t on the ‘will win’ list, but talk to me when Jon Hamm returns for its third season and it becomes a full-blown hit.” —Tanvi Parekh

“I love award shows, but the fact that Heated Rivalry, one of the biggest conversation pieces in this past year of television, isn’t eligible for an Emmy really is a reminder that this is a made-up, American-only talent show.” —Saniya Jaffer

“Can’t wait for someone from Widow’s Bay to say they ‘never expected this’ after bagging eight wins at the Creative Arts Emmy.” —Sheya Kurian

“What do you mean Jean Smart already has seven Emmys and doesn’t need an eighth? Don’t talk about my queen like that.” —Diya Parakh

“If Summer House won for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program, I would have been pumping my fist screaming “COME ONNN” like Tashi Duncan. Big mistake, huge.” —Saniya Jaffer

“They need to start having animal actor nominations for these award shows. Burberry from Beef is a very talented real-life dachshund called Jones.” —Chloe Chou

“Sorry, how is it possible that Peter Claffey and cutie pie Dexter Sol haven’t been nominated for Lead Actor? That wholesome eating scene from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms alone deserves it!” —Diya Parakh

“If Pluribus wins, I will pretend that I did not fall asleep through the first episode.” —Sheya Kurian

“In a turn of events, Zendaya will divulge intimate details of her wedding to dodge questions about Euphoria. No more sound bytes to associate her with what Tom Holland calls “that show”.” —Saniya Jaffer

“I’m rooting for the underdogs—would be nice if Abbott Elementary and Task won a few.” —Shalini Shah

“Talking about underdogs: If Riz Ahmed doesn’t win for Bait, it may just offer the perfect premise for Bait season two. I can already picture it: a meta spin-off where Riz Ahmed is playing a version of himself, a pilot in the style of the Golden Globes episode of The Studio, just as the casting process for the next James Bond is coming to a close. Honestly tell me you wouldn’t watch that.” —Saniya Jaffer

“I have a sneaky feeling that the Academy will cut Mark Ruffalo off mid-speech if he ends up winning for Task.” —Sheya Kurian

“I think someone will make ‘The Pitt is actually set in Hawaii’ joke, and there will be at least one person in the room who takes it seriously and starts correcting them. Please don’t!” —Sheya Kurian

“I’ve a feeling Lead Actress in a Drama series is going to Rhea Seehorn for Pluribus but please no.” — Chloe Chou

“If Elle Fanning wins Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, I’ll get my own pair of cowboy boots.” — Butool Jamal

“The Emmys should start a Work Life category to convince Gen Z they have it easy. The Pitt and Slow Horses will be top contenders.” —Megha Mahindru

“I still can’t wrap my head around the idea that The Bear is still nominated in the Comedy Series category.” —Chloe Chou