2026 Emmy Awards: Major Upsets and Unexpected Wins Shake the Ceremony

The 2026 Emmy Awards unfolded with a mix of anticipated victories and surprising omissions, leaving fans and critics buzzing. HBO Max's acclaimed series Hacks entered the night with a record-setting 24 nominations for its final season but ended up with just two wins, overshadowed by the emerging powerhouse Widow's Bay.

Despite the high expectations, Hacks only secured awards for Best Actress, awarded to Jean Smart—who made history as the first woman to win an Emmy for every season of a series—and for picture editing during the Creative Arts Emmys. In contrast, Widow's Bay swept through the comedy categories, claiming 14 of the 19 awards it was nominated for, including Best Comedy Series.

Heavyweights Fall Short

Other notable series felt the sting of the Emmys as well. The Bear, once seen as a frontrunner, managed only a win for guest actor, dedicated to the late Rob Reiner. Meanwhile, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver left empty-handed, a surprising outcome for a show that has historically dominated the variety categories. Stephen Colbert’s Late Show triumphed in the newly combined best variety series and writing categories, marking a significant shift.

Unexpected Triumphs

Among the surprises, Allison Janney's win for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for The Diplomat stood out, as did Slow Horses securing the Best Directing award, continuing its streak in writing and directing categories. The limited series competition also yielded surprises, with DTF St. Louis taking home the Best Limited Series award, but many nominees like Beef and Love Story walked away without major wins, despite their prominent presence in the awards season.

Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com