The Emmy Awards will be presented on September 14th (September 15th CEST). The award honors the best series classified as US production or US co-production, as well as the creative minds responsible for these achievements. An overview of what has been nominated this year in the top disciplines of series (a distinction is made between comedy and drama):
Nominated for BEST DRAMA SERIES:
“Pluribus - Happiness is contagious” (Apple TV):
A carefully - some would say too slowly - told, almost philosophical production. It revolves around a woman who is one of the few people in the world who is immune to an inexplicable virus that causes humanity to merge into a common consciousness. The series from showrunner Vince Gilligan (“Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul”) is more of an experience than a TV series and is extremely thought-provoking. The cast is overwhelmingly good with leading actress Rhea Seehorn (wonderfully grumpy as Carol Sturka) and the mysteriously smiling Karolina Wydra (as Zosia).
“The Pitt” (Apple TV):
A shift in the emergency room is a constant race against time: this is shown by the hospital series “The Pitt”, which impresses with its chronological narrative style. An episode represents about an hour of the shift - this ensures non-stop excitement, and the extremely detailed treatment is also impressive. The experiences of the large workforce are just as important: especially that of the experienced chief physician Robby (Noah Wyle, nominated for best actor), who after years of overtime is finding it increasingly difficult to deal with the many traumatic cases.
The series won almost all the awards at the Emmys in 2025 - since the second season is in no way inferior to the first, “The Pitt” should also be the big favorite in the race this year.
“Diplomatic Relations” (Netflix):
Human abysses, political haggling and intrigue: Netflix's political thriller "Diplomatic Relations" has been nominated seven times for its strong third season, including for best drama series. The most important main characters from the last season are also among the award contenders: Keri Russel for best leading actress in a drama series, Rufus Sewell for men and for best supporting actors Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford (both known from “West Wing”).
Diplomat Kate Wyler unexpectedly becomes the new US ambassador to Great Britain in the midst of an international crisis. Due to intrigue and deceit, both countries find themselves in serious conflict, not as allies as before, but as opponents. And of all people, Wyler's husband and the president may not always have the best interests of the world in mind. Season four of the series starts on October 15th.
“The Gilded Age” (HBO; Sky/Wow in Germany):
Venerable families versus nouveau riche upstarts, magnificent robes, gigantic villas and plenty of intrigue: the HBO Max series “The Gilded Age” takes you to New York in the late 19th century. There, railway millions can be used to buy almost anything material, except social recognition. The opulent social drama by “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes is once again one of the Emmy candidates in 2026 and is nominated for best drama series, among other things. Lead actress Carrie Coon and director Salli Richardson-Whitfield can also hope for a trophy. Season 4 will be available from November.
“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” (HBO Max):
The cult fantasy series “Game of Thrones” ended in 2019. Since then, two spin-offs from the universe have appeared, including “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” on HBO Max. It is a slightly lighter alternative to the very brutal original series and takes place around 90 years before the events.
The six surprisingly often funny episodes are about the adventures of the knight Ser Duncan the Great and his little squire Egg as they prepare for a tournament. The basis is the trilogy “The Hedge Knight of Westeros: The Judgment of the Seven” by fantasy author George R. R. Martin. A good introduction to the “GoT” world.
“Paradise” (Hulu; Disney+ in Germany):
A young US president is assassinated and a bodyguard is the prime suspect. This is the starting point of the series “Paradise”, which has now had a second season. In the first season, the president's security employee, Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown), is targeted by investigators. He then has to solve the conspiracy surrounding the murder. The US political series is praised for its excellent ensemble and many surprising twists. The thriller series was conceived by Dan Fogelman, who created a successful mix of emotion and fast action in the family series “This is Us”.
“Slow Horses – A Case for Jackson Lamb” (Apple TV):
Anyone who messes up at the British secret service MI5 ends up in “Slough House” - the storage room for failed agents. There, the notoriously bad-tempered Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) leads a troupe of anti-heroes who, despite botched careers, regularly end up in dangerous espionage cases. The series, which has now run for five seasons, combines classic spy thrillers with dark British humor and political intrigue. The series is nominated nine times at the 2026 Emmys, including for best drama series. Gary Oldman as the main actor and Jack Lowden as the supporting actor can hope for a trophy. Season 6 will be released from September 16th.
“Your Friends and Neighbors” (Apple TV):
In the series “Your Friends and Neighbors,” Jon Hamm (“Mad Men,” “The Morning Show”) shines as a hedge fund manager in free fall: Andrew Cooper actually has enough problems on his mind, including the divorce from his wife and grief with the children. Now he's fired too.
To maintain his family's lifestyle, Andrew commits thefts from neighboring homes in the extremely wealthy suburb of Westmont Village. Here, however, he discovers that behind wealthy facades there are secrets and affairs that are more dangerous than he ever imagined. Two seasons of the series have been released so far.
Nominated for BEST COMEDY SERIES:
“Abbott Elementary” (ABC in the USA; Disney+ in Germany):
Broken toilets, crumbling walls and a lot of idealism: In “Abbott Elementary” teachers fight their way through the underfunded everyday school life in Philadelphia (USA). The idea for the series came from Quinta Brunson, who also plays the lead role of the ever-optimistic teacher Janine Teagues. The series is shot in a mockumentary style and shows the reality at a school with a predominantly black student body with a lot of humor - but without trivializing problems. In five seasons so far, the dialogue and situational comedy are the highlights of the sitcom.
“The Bear: King of the Kitchen” (FX; Disney+):
The series about chef Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and his well-rehearsed patchwork kitchen crew has long since become an integral part of the Emmy nominations. The sandwich shop that he inherited from his brother who died in the highly acclaimed first season has long since become a gourmet restaurant - which is not only fighting for a Michelin star, but also for its very existence.
This time, the fourth season, which was available to stream in June 2025, is nominated. The focus here is primarily on the often emotional stories of the characters - since humor is more of a marginal aspect, the nomination for best comedy series is also considered controversial. The recently released fifth and final season won't be in the Emmy race until next year.
“Hacks” (HBO Max USA; in Germany especially on RTL+):
The comedy series focuses on stand-up comedian Deborah Vance and her younger author Ava Daniels, who are intended to bring a breath of fresh air to the entertainment legend's humor. In the first four seasons - mainly due to the age difference - there is a constant back and forth between the two, but it is entertaining: because of their often different views, they often clash, but at the same time a close friendship develops between them.
The fifth and final season, in which they have to save Deborah's career from extinction, concludes the story well with great emotions and, with 24 Emmy nominations, received more than any season of a comedy series before - it's a shame that it is still waiting for its premiere in Germany.
«Only Margo»/Original: «Margo's Got Money Troubles» (Apple TV):
Starring Elle Fanning and Michelle Pfeiffer, the series revolves around a young single mother who uses unorthodox means to make ends meet. The not only funny and heartwarming series between comedy and drama has received a lot of praise. This may also be due to their sensitive portrayal: Fanning, Pfeiffer and Nick Offermann, in the role of Margo's father, play characters that are anything but perfect - and that is precisely why they are close to the heart.
“Nobody Wants This” (Netflix):
A sex podcaster meets a rabbi - this is not the beginning of a bad joke, but rather one of the most successful romantic comedy series of recent years. The theme has been told many times: an unlikely couple meets and falls in love and defies all challenges. But with Kristen Bell and Adam Brody in the lead roles, “Nobody Wants This” goes beyond the outdated rom-com image and brings the love story into the present day in two seasons so far – (almost) without toxic male behavior and women who need to be saved.
“Only Murders in the Building” (Disney+):
A loving crime series with a star cast: Season after season, Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez investigate as hobby podcasters in their residential complex “The Arconia”. Strange deaths keep happening here. “Only Murders in the Building” takes up the omnipresent fascination with true crime, mixing it with slapstick, charming humor, bizarre neighbors and clever murder cases with many twists.
The unusual trio of Martin, Short and Gomez is also fun. Guest stars appear again and again. Meryl Streep has been part of the cast since the third season; Renée Zellweger and Christoph Waltz were last seen in season 5.
“Shrinking” (Apple TV):
A series about fate - often emotional, but above all entertaining. Jason Segel (“How I Met Your Mother”) plays psychotherapist Jimmy, who is grieving his wife, who died in a car accident. He has to raise his college-age daughter alone, but gets help from neighbors and colleagues - including Harrison Ford as Jimmy's boss, who has to deal with a Parkinson's diagnosis. The series is heartwarming and sometimes silly at the same time, but also offers a lot of space for the personal challenges of the many characters. The now nominated third season closes many storylines - but there should still be a fourth.
“Widow’s Bay” (Apple TV):
19 nominations for the first season: “Widow’s Bay” may already be the biggest surprise of the year. The horror comedy series is set on a fictional island on the American east coast. Its mayor, Tom Loftis, wants to improve the image of his somewhat run-down hometown. However, some of the long-established residents believe that the island is cursed - and when a newspaper report attracts tourists to the island, it quickly becomes clear that not everything is actually going well.
The series is particularly strong because of the mix of humor and horror: while the many strange island residents make you laugh in one scene, in the next you suddenly find yourself clinging to the sofa because of dark, shocking moments.
