The announcement of nominations for the 2026 Emmy Awards on Wednesday revealed a stark change in diversity from last year’s crop.
According to Variety, the number of nominated actors of color dropped a staggering 39 percent this year, with 17 actors of color nominated versus 28 in 2025.
The Wrap also noted that there appeared to be a paucity of openly queer nominees in the acting categories.
The three lead actor categories were all free of openly queer stars, as was the supporting actress in a drama category.
The Daily Mail has reached out for comment to representatives of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which puts on the Emmys, but has not yet received a response.
On social media, fans reacted to the news along ideological lines, but The Pitt was a particular target of criticism from those angered by the decrease in diversity at the Emmys, with fans venting about the show’s alleged failure to secure more nominations for its actors of color.
The announcement of nominations for the 2026 Emmy Awards on Wednesday revealed a stark change in diversity from last year’s crop. According to Variety, the number of nominated actors of color dropped 39 percent this year, with 17 actors of color nominated versus 28 in 2025; Sepideh Moafi pictured on The Pitt
The Pitt was a particular target of criticism from those angered by the decrease in diversity at the Emmys, with fans venting about the show’s alleged failure to secure more nominations for its actors of color; Noah Wyle is pictured on the series
The reversal in diversity at the Emmy Awards comes amid a trend of so-called ‘anti-Woke’ backlash
The change in the makeup of this year’s nominees was particularly stark when compared to 2024, when 30 actors of color were nominated.
This year technically offered even more chances for a diverse crop of nominees, as a new category had been added, which brought the total number of male and female lead, supporting and guest actor nominations up to 95.
However, some of the increased options were canceled out by the four actors who each earned two nominations: Jason Bateman, Colman Domingo, Nick Offerman and Matthew Rhys.
Domingo, who was nominated for best supporting actor in a comedy for The Four Seasons and for best guest actor in a drama for season three of Euphoria, is the only artist of color this year to receive two acting nominations.
Wednesday morning’s announcement revealed that several categories this year will have exclusively white actors competing against each other, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.
Despite the apparent backsliding of the Emmy nominations, 2026 was also a year of firsts for nominees of color.
Sepideh Moafi, the breakout star of season two of The Pitt, became the first actress of Middle Eastern and Iranian heritage to be nominated for supporting actress in a drama for her role as Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi.
The Wrap also noted that there appeared to be a paucity of openly queer nominees in the acting categories. The three lead actor categories were all free of openly queer stars, as was the supporting actress in a drama category; Noah Wyle pictured on The Pitt
This year offered even more chances for a diverse crop of nominees, as a new category had been added, which brought the total number of male and female lead, supporting and guest actor nominations up to 95; Jeremy Allen White (L) and Ayo Edebiri (R) seen on The Bear
However, some of the increased options were canceled out by the four actors who each earned two nominations: Jason Bateman, Colman Domingo, Nick Offerman and Matthew Rhys. Domingo (pictured on Euphoria) was the only actor of color with two nominations
Sepideh Moafi, the breakout star of season two of The Pitt, became the first actress of Middle Eastern and Iranian heritage to be nominated for supporting actress in a drama for her role as Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi; seen in January 2023 in LA
Another star of The Pitt, Tal Anderson, broke ground by becoming the first openly autistic actor to secure a nomination.
Behind the camera, Salli Richardson-Whitfield scored the honor of being the first Black woman to be nominated twice for outstanding direction in a drama, for both The Gilded Age and Task.
She was also nominated for outstanding drama series for her work as an executive producer on The Gilded Age.
Another Black director, Hanelle Culpepper, received her first nomination this year for her work on an episode of Paradise.
Fans of The Pitt were particularly harsh toward the series after Moafi was the only woman of color to receive a nomination for the series, despite it having a particularly diverse cast.
Isa Briones, Shabana Azeez and Supriya Ganesh were all overlooked by Emmy nomination voters, though Katherine LaNasa — who won the supporting actress award in 2025 – was still nominated, as were Taylor Dearden and Fiona Dourif.
The lack of a nomination for Ganesh was more salt on the wound for some fans who were distressed by what they considered to be her lack of screen time in season two, contributing to a narrative posited by some of the show’s most parasocial fans that The Pitt had allegedly pushed its characters of color to the side.
The issue was exacerbated in April, when it was announced that she would not be returning to The Pitt for its third season.
Another star of The Pitt, Tal Anderson, broke ground by becoming the first openly autistic actor to secure a nomination; seen June 10 in LA
Fans of The Pitt were particularly harsh toward the series after Moafi was the only woman of color to receive a nomination for the series, despite it having a particularly diverse cast. Isa Briones, Shabana Azeez and Supriya Ganesh were all overlooked by Emmy nomination voters; Ganesh (R) is pictured with Gerran Howell
However, Katherine LaNasa — who won the supporting actress award in 2025 – was still nominated, as were Taylor Dearden and Fiona Dourif were all nominated; LaNasa pictured on The Pitt
On X, fans lashed out at The Pitt for earning the most nominations this year with 25, which they claimed kept actors of color from being nominated.
‘The most Emmys nominations were captured by a show that originally advertised itself to be a show about a diverse community of caregivers, but immediately dropped their care for the diverse part of the community once awards and positive attention were lining their pockets,’ wrote one particularly committed fan of the series.
They added in another post, ‘I think that the Television Academy should implement rules regarding how many nomination slots a show is allowed to take per category so that all shows have a fair chance to shine.
‘It’s unethical and obscene that The Pitt is allowed to dominate so many categories repeatedly,’ they claimed.
Another user joked that The Pitt wasn’t overly concerned with diversity when it came time to campaign for its actors.
‘The Pitt said we put forward one brown actress for the emmys, that’s enough activism for the year,’ they alleged.
One commenter noted that the diversity of the nominees was slightly better than originally thought, as Tal Anderson of The Pitt is Korean and Italian-American.
Others bemoaned the drop in diversity among this year’s crop of nominees.
On X, fans lashed out at The Pitt for earning the most nominations this year with 25, which they claimed kept actors of color from being nominated
Another user joked that The Pitt wasn’t overly concerned with diversity when it came time to campaign for its actors
One commenter noted that the diversity of the nominees was slightly better than originally thought, as Tal Anderson of The Pitt is Korean and Italian-American
Others bemoaned the drop in diversity among this year’s crop of nominees
‘The race looks more competitive than ever, but that diversity drop is hard to ignore,’ one poster wrote.
However, several commenters objected to the entire framing of the issue and disagreed that there should be any concern over a drop in the diversity of the Emmy nominees.
‘Yes, people should be nominated strictly based on the color of their skin,’ read one sarcastic comment.
Another person opined that ‘Keeping up with the last 11 years of forced diversity was not sustainable,’ using a timeline that appeared to include all of the first Trump administration.
‘Yawn. It was just a matter of minutes before the whining started,’ another poster snapped back. ‘How about people who complain about lack of diversity in arts create their own awards? Oh, that’s right. They feel like they should get whatever nominations/awards they demand. Insufferable and entitled bunch. Sad.’
In addition to concerns about diversity, several viewers of The Pitt were skeptical of the show’s nominations because it allegedly had a ‘fraudulent’ second season.
The nods were announced on Wednesday as the Noah Wyle-led HBO medical procedural drama earned an incredible 25 nominations including Best Drama Series despite on-set turmoil centered around the show.
The Pitt absolutely dominated the acting categories with Wyle, 55, earning a nod for top honor Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
However, several commenters objected to the entire framing of the issue and disagreed that there should be any concern over a drop in the diversity of the Emmy nominees
He had previously earned the same award at last year’s ceremony for season 1 of the drama.
The Best Supporting Actress in a Drama category features four stars from The Pitt, including last year’s winner Katherine LaNasa. Sepideh Moafi, Fiona Dourif, and Taylor Dearden also earned nods.
Shawn Hatosy received a nomination in the Best Supporting Actor in a Drama category after changing categories, as he earned Best Guest Actor in a Drama for season 1 last year.
Others nominated with Hatosy in his new category included Patrick Ball and Gerran Howell.
There were also three actresses who were nominated in the Best Guest Actress in a Drama category, including Tal Anderson, Brittany Allen, and Tina Ivlev.
As for the guest actor category, there were Ernest Harden, Jr., and Jeff Kober.
The Pitt also earned several technical nominations including casting, production design, picture editing, makeup, music, sound and writing.
Though The Pitt is a critically-acclaimed series, there were several X (formerly Twitter) users who were unhappy at the sheer volume of nods that it earned.
Noah Wyle-led HBO medical procedural drama The Pitt earned an incredible 25 Emmy Awards 2026 nominations including Best Drama Series despite on-set turmoil
One user quoted a @DiscussingFilm post and wrote: ‘This is so insane to me because The Pitt sucked this season LOL.’
‘The P*tt getting the most nominations for its lukewarm S2, this is why you can’t trust award shows [crying emoji],’ another posted while a different user said: ‘Is this a safe space to say I don’t like The Pitt? Lol.’
Fans were also upset as one star who was not nominated was Supriya Ganesh who was announced to be leaving the series in April following season 2.
Ganesh was a staple of the series as she has appeared in all 30 episodes of The Pitt so far.
It is an interesting point for the show as back in March, Daily Mail published an article regarding the secret turmoil of leading actor Wyle.
It has been said that Wyle has been battling struggles behind-the-scenes, with comments from one of his co-stars dredging up historic bullying allegations from his days on ER, and a lawsuit claiming The Pitt is a ‘copycat’ of the show that made his name.
Regardless, The Pitt has been a standout success for HBO as it has received both critical praise and several awards.
The drama has earned five Primetime Emmy Awards including an Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series gong for Wyle and top honor Outstanding Drama Series.
The Best Supporting Actress in a Drama category features four stars from The Pitt including last year’s winner Katherine LaNasa (pictured)
Shawn Hatosy (left) received a nomination in the Best Supporting actor in a Drama category after changing categories as he earned Best Guest Actor in a Drama for season 1 last year
Though The Pitt is a critically-acclaimed series, there were several X (formerly Twitter) users who were unhappy at the sheer volume of nods that it earned
Supriya Ganesh, who has portrayed senior resident Dr. Samira Mohan since the beginning of the series, was not nominated and exited the series at the conclusion of season 2
Hacks earned the second most nominations with a whopping 24 including a Best Actress in a Comedy nod for Jean Smart who has earned seven Primetime Emmys including four for the HBO comedy series
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star and Emmy winner Mariska Hargitay will host television’s biggest night on September 14 at 8pm EST/ 5pm PST
Wyle’s protagonist character is Dr. Michael ‘Robby’ Robinavitch who is a senior physician who is still reeling from his traumatic experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He previously starred on the aforementioned iconic medical drama ER over 254 episodes from 1994 to 2009.
Each episode of The Pitt covers one hour of a 15-hour shift at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center.
The show takes place in Pittsburgh, with the title nodding to both the location and a nickname for the hospital’s emergency department.
Hacks earned the second most nominations with a whopping 24, including a Best Actress in a Comedy nod for Jean Smart, who has earned seven Primetime Emmys, including four for the HBO comedy series.
Past Emmy winners Liza Colon-Zayas and Jeff Hiller revealed the nominations from the TV Academy’s Saban Media Center.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star and Emmy Award winner Mariska Hargitay will host television’s biggest night.
The 2026 Emmy Awards will air live on NBC and Peacock on Monday, September 14 at 8pm EST/ 5pm PST.
The Creative Arts Emmys, which is a ceremony where most of the Emmy trophies will be presented, are taking place a week earlier on Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6.
Emmy Awards 2026 nominations
Outstanding Drama Series
The Diplomat
The Gilded Age
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Paradise
The Pitt
Pluribus
Slow Horses
Your Friends and Neighbors
The Pitt led the way with 25 nominations including top honor Best Drama Series
Outstanding Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary
The Bear
Hacks
Margo’s Got Money Troubles
Nobody Wants This
Only Murders in the Building
Shrinking
Widow’s Bay
Hacks came in a close second with 24 nods including Best Comedy Series
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
All Her Fault
The Beast in Me
Beef
DTF St. Louis
Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette
Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette earned a Best Limited or Anthology Series nod
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Carrie Coon, The Gilded Age
Chase Infiniti, The Testaments
Keri Russell, The Diplomat
Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus
Zendaya, Euphoria
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown, Paradise
Gary Oldman, Slow Horses
Mark Ruffalo, Task
Rufus Sewell, The Diplomat
Noah Wyle, The Pitt
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Taylor Dearden, The Pitt
Fiona Dourif, The Pitt
Allison Janney, The Diplomat
Katherine LaNasa, The Pitt
Sepideh Moafi, The Pitt
Julianne Nicholson, Paradise
Karolina Wydra, Pluribus
Taylor Dearden was one of four nominees from The Pitt in the Best Supporting Actress in a Drama category
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Patrick Ball, The Pitt
Billy Crudup, The Morning Show
Shawn Hatosy, The Pitt
Gerran Howell, The Pitt
Jack Lowden, Slow Horses
Tom Pelphrey, Task
Carlos-Manuel Vesga, Pluribus
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Brittany Allen, The Pitt
Tal Anderson, The Pitt
Tina Ivlev, The Pitt
Miriam Shor, Pluribus
Merritt Wever, The Gilded Age
Shailene Woodley, Paradise
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Colman Domingo, Euphoria
Ernest Harden Jr., The Pitt
Jeff Hiller, Pluribus
Jeff Kober, The Pitt
Jonathan Pryce, Slow Horses
Bradley Whitford, The Diplomat
Colman Domino earned Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series for Euphoria
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Ayo Edebiri, The Bear
Elle Fanning, Margo’s Got Money Troubles
Lisa Kudrow, The Comeback
Jean Smart, Hacks
Ayo Edebiri received a Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series nomination for The Bear
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Wonder Man
Steve Carell, Rooster
Matthew Rhys, Widow’s Bay
Jason Segel, Shrinking
Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Dale Dickey, Widow’s Bay
Hannah Einbinder, Hacks
Janelle James, Abbott Elementary
Kate O’Flynn, Widow’s Bay
Michelle Pfeiffer, Margo’s Got Money Troubles
Megan Stalter, Hacks
Jessica Williams, Shrinking
Hannah Einbinder was recognized in the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy category for Hacks
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Colman Domingo, The Four Seasons
Paul W. Downs, Hacks
Harrison Ford, Shrinking
Nick Offerman, Margo’s Got Money Troubles
Stephen Root, Widow’s Bay
Michael Urie, Shrinking
Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Leslie Bibb, Hacks
Jamie Lee Curtis, The Bear
Betty Gilpin, Widow’s Bay
Cherry Jones, Hacks
Laurie Metcalf, Hacks
Kaitlin Olson, Hacks
Lauren Weedman, Hacks
Jamie Lee Curtis scored a Best Guest Actress in a Comedy nod for The Bear
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Michael J. Fox, Shrinking
Brett Goldstein, Shrinking
Hamish Linklater, Widow’s Bay
Christopher McDonald, Hacks
Rob Reiner, The Bear
Connor Storrie, Saturday Night Live
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Claire Danes, The Beast in Me
Sally Field, Remarkably Bright Creatures
Carey Mulligan, Beef
Sarah Pidgeon, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette
Sarah Snook, All Her Fault
Carey Mulligan earned a Best Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology nod for Beef
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Riz Ahmed, Bait
Jason Bateman, Black Rabbit
Charlie Hunnam, Monster: The Ed Gein Story
Oscar Isaac, Beef
Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Linda Cardellini, DTF St. Louis
Dakota Fanning, All Her Fault
Laurie Metcalf, Monster: The Ed Gein Story
Joy Sunday, DTF St. Louis
Youn Yuh-jung, Beef
Constance Zimmer, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Jason Bateman, DTF St. Louis
Richard Gadd, Half Man
David Harbour, DTF St. Louis
Richard Jenkins, DTF St. Louis
Charles Melton, Beef
Nick Offerman, Death by Lightning
Jason Bateman and David Harbour will face off in the Bestg Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for DTF St. Louis
Outstanding Reality Competition Program
Dancing With the Stars
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Survivor
Top Chef
The Traitors
Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program
RuPaul Charles, RuPaul’s Drag Race
Alan Cumming, The Traitors
Kristen Kish, Top Chef
Ariana Madix, Love Island
Jeff Probst, Survivor
Outstanding Host for a Game Show
Steve Harvey, Celebrity Family Feud
Ken Jennings, Jeopardy
Colin Jost, Pop Culture Jeopardy
Jimmy Kimmel, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Martin Short, Match Game
Outstanding Structured Reality Program
Antiques Roadshow
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
Love Is Blind
Queer Eye
Shark Tank
Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Love on the Spectrum
RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked
Summer House
Welcome to Wrexham
Summer House received a surprise nomination in the Best Unstructured Reality Program category
Outstanding Variety Series
The Daily Show
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Saturday Night Live
Outstanding Game Show
Celebrity Family Feud
Jeopardy
The Price Is Right
Wheel of Fortune
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Outstanding Movie
Heads of State
Miss You, Love You
People We Meet on Vacation
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
The Diplomat (Peter Akerman and Debora Cahn for “Amagansett”)
The Pitt (Kirsten Pierre-Geyfman & R. Scott Gemmill for “1:00 PM”)
The Pitt (Valerie Chu for “12:00 PM”)
Mickey Down and Konrad Kay for “Dear Henry,” Industry
Pluribus (Vince Gilligan for “We Is Us”)
Slow Horses (Will Smith for “Scars”)
Task (Brad Ingelsby for “A Still Small Voice”)
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary (Quinta Brunson for “Team Building”)
The Chair Company (Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin for “Life goes by too f**king fast, it really does”)
The Comeback (Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow for “Valerie Does It All”)
Hacks (Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky for “Hacks”)
Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat (Anthony King for “Mergers and Acquisitions”)
Widow’s Bay (Katie Dippold for “Welcome to Widow’s Bay”)
Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
All Her Fault (Megan Gallagher for “Episode 8”)
The Beast in Me (Gabe Rotter and Daniel Pearle for “Sick Puppy”)
Beef (Lee Sung Jin for “All the Things We’re Never Gonna Have”)
DTF St. Louis (Steven Conrad)
Death by Lightning (Mike Makowsky)
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
The Gilded Age (Salli Richardson-Whitfield for “My Mind Is Made Up”)
Paradise (Hanelle M. Culpepper for “Exodus”)
The Pitt (Noah Wyle for “12:00 PM”)
Pluribus (Vince Gilligan for “We Is Us”)
Slow Horses (Saul Metzstein for “Scars”)
Task (Salli Richardson-Whitfield for “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a river”)
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary (Randall Einhorn for “Ballgame”)
The Bear (Christopher Storer for “Bears”)
The Chair Company (Andrew DeYoung for “Life goes by too f**king fast, it really does”)
Hacks (Lucia Aniello for “Hacks”)
The Ms. Pat Show (Mary Lou Belli for “Give It Arrest”)
Widow’s Bay (Hiro Murai for “Welcome to Widow’s Bay”)
