The 2026 Emmy nominations were announced this morning, with popular shows like The Pitt, , Shrinking, and Only Murders in the Building dominating their categories the way awards season pundits expected. Nevertheless, some nominations stunned prognosticators while some snubs rightfully infuriated the fandoms.

For the first year ever, The Bear star Jeremy Allen White has not received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, opening an opportunity for Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to snag a nom for his excellent work in Marvel’s Wonder Man. Richard Gadd was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his work in HBO’s Half Man, but his critically-acclaimed followup to Baby Reindeer didn’t get the honor of an Outstanding Limited Series nomination. (Peacock’s All Her Fault seemed to be the show that shockingly edged in!)

Elsewhere, Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay emerged as a new powerhouse in the comedy categories, with not only Matthew Rhys and Kate O’Flynn nabbing nominations, but Dale Dickey, Stephen Root, Hamish Linkletter, and Betty Gilpin also getting love for their performances. Connor Storrie didn’t manage to get a nomination for Heated Rivalry — because the Canadian-produced show wasn’t eligible for consideration! — but he did get nominated for his incredible work hosting Saturday Night Live in the Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series category.

HBO’s cult hit Industry was once more shut out, while freshman hit A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms got love. Oh, and a very beloved Bravo alumna managed to get her very first Emmy nomination for hosting Love Island USA…

From Jeremy Allen White’s shocking snub to Ariana Madix’s very first Emmy nom, here are the biggest snubs and surprises at the 2026 Emmys…

1. No, Chef! Jeremy Allen White SNUBBED in Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Category

   Ever since The Bear premiered on FX on Hulu, it’s dominated all the major comedy categories at the Emmys. This year, the show earned a Best Comedy Series nod alongside noms for Ayo Edebiri, Jamie Lee Curtis, Rob Reiner, and various craft departments, but its leading men were shut out. None more so than two-time Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series winner Jeremy Allen White. Were voters turned off by Season 4’s dramatic tone or have they soured on what used to be one of the hottest shows on TV?

2. Love For Ilya: Connor Storrie Gets An Emmy Nomination After All

   One of the great injustices of this year’s Emmy cycle is the fact that HBO Max’s breakout hit Heated Rivalry was ineligible for any nominations. Why? Because the entire production is based overseas in Canada. Nevertheless, star Connor Storrie is now officially an Emmy nominee thanks to his electric turn hosting Saturday Night Live. Storrie dazzled Studio 8H with his total commitment and hilarious characters, solidifying him as one of Hollywood’s top new talents. Some might say this is the Television Academy’s attempt to honor Storrie for his brilliant work playing Ilya Rozonov. I think it’s that and a way to honor Storrie’s bonkers concussed stripper character.

3. Half the Noms for Richard Gadd’s ‘Half Man’

   Two years ago, a little show called Baby Reindeer catapulted Richard Gadd into the stratosphere and dominated the limited series categories at the 2024 Emmys. When Gadd came back with his long-awaited followup, Half Man, on HBO, the expectation was that the British comic/writer/actor had once again struck gold. The show was critically-acclaimed and industry experts assumed both Gadd and his co-star, Jamie Bell, were shoo-ins to make yet another sweep. However, Bell was unceremoniously snubbed and the show didn’t even wiggle into the Outstanding Limited Series category. Gadd eked out a nomination for his performance, but Emmy voters showed more love to soapier shows this time around.

4. ‘Industry’ Once More Overlooked

   Industry remains the best show on TV that Emmy voters aren’t watching. The show’s fourth season was a sublime improvement on an already incredible show and is this critic’s personal best show of the year. (And I’m not alone in my opinion: Industry — along with Heated Rivalry and Widow’s Bay — dominated this year’s TCA Awards nominations!) Sadly, the smart and subversive series has yet to resonate with the Television Academy. Or maybe, it’s because the show doesn’t have enough Jon Hamm for voters liking…

5. ‘Your Friends and Neighbors’? Really?

   Well, well, well… The one major nomination that no one on Team Decider saw coming was Your Friends and Neighbors in the Outstanding Drama Series category. Look, it’s not that we dislike the star-studded Apple TV series. It’s a fun time! It’s just not on the same level as the rest of the nominees.

6. That’s Emmy Nominee Ariana Madix, to You!!!

   America’s sweetheart, Ariana Madix, has officially left the world of Vanderpump Rules and Scandoval behind forever and established herself as one of the best hosts on television. Madix sagely used the hype of her infamous scandal to land her Love Island USA hosting gig and it’s paid off handsomely for her — and reality tv fans everywhere. Madix deserves this honor as she’s managed to be the most charming master of ceremonies the villa has ever seen, capable of being in on the saucy joke and there for the serious moments. In Ariana, we trust.

The 2026 Emmys will be hosted by Mariska Hargitay and will air on NBC on Monday, September 14 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT.