The biggest lock this Emmy season is “The Pitt” winning Drama Series for a second year in a row. Whether you agree with it or not, it’s pretty much a given. What is likely, but not a lock, is Noah Wyle winning Best Actor in a Drama Series for the HBO Max smash hit series. There will be some intriguing, if not familiar, competition.
The only other expected nominees are Sterling K. Brown for Hulu’s hit thriller “Paradise” and Mark Ruffalo for “Task.” The former is a six-time nominee in this category, including “Paradise’s” first season, and won it in 2017 for “This Is Us.” He may be Wyle’s biggest competition. The latter is, well, the one and only Mark Ruffalo, a legendary actor looking for his first Emmy nomination. He should get it for Brad Inglesby’s hit melodrama.
Then, things get interesting. In theory, Walton Goggins, a three-time nominee, should duplicate his 2024 nod for “Fallout” (he was also nominated just last year for “The White Lotus”). He may be joined by Peter Claffey, a newcomer and standout in the “Game of Thrones” prequel, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.” Waiting in the wings to snatch the fifth slot is Gary Oldman. The Oscar winner has been recognized the past two years for his memorable turn on “Slow Horses.” Is this the year he gets over the hump?
Looking to crash the party are “The Diplomat’s” Rufus Sewell and“Landman’s” Billy Bob Thornton. They have slightly better odds than deserving longshots such as “The Gilded Age’s” Morgan Spector, “The Night Manager’s” Tom Hiddleston, or “Your Friends and Neighbors'” Jon Hamm.
May 6, 2026
Locks
Noah Wyle, “The Pitt”
Sterling K. Brown, “Paradise”
Mark Ruffalo, “Task”
Almost There
Walton Goggins, “Fallout”
Peter Claffey, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”
Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”
Rufus Sewell, “The Diplomat”
Billy Bob Thornton, “Landman”
Longshots
Tom Hiddleston, “The Night Manager”
Morgan Spector, “The Gilded Age”
Jon Hamm, “Your Friends and Neighbors”
Comedy Series
Drama Series
Limited or Anthology Series
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