Variety tips The Pitt and Widow's Bay for top honours at 78th Emmys
The Pitt and Widow's Bay are the shows to beat at the 78th Emmy Awards, according to Variety's final predictions.
The trade paper published picks in 116 categories on 14 September 2026, the day of the ceremony. Variety The ceremony, which honours the past year in television, is scheduled for 14 September 2026, according to the Television Academy. Television Academy
In drama series, the prize for the best continuing dramatic show, Variety tips The Pitt on HBO Max. It names Pluribus as the could-win challenger, meaning the closest rival if the favourite slips. It also tips Noah Wyle of The Pitt for lead actor in a drama series. Variety says HBO Max is poised to dominate the night on the strength of The Pitt.
In comedy series, Variety tips Widow's Bay on Apple TV. It names Hacks on HBO Max as the could-win challenger. Variety reports that Hacks has already broken the all-time record for comedy nominations. It says Widow's Bay and Hacks could both chase all-time records on the night.
The limited prizes look more spread. For limited or anthology series, meaning a story told in one closed season, Variety tips Beef on Netflix. For outstanding television movie, it tips Remarkably Bright Creatures, also on Netflix. The two film-length categories both go to Netflix titles in these predictions.
Other predictors read the race much the same way. Forbes published its final predictions on 13 September 2026. Forbes It called for another win for Wyle for The Pitt, a sweep for Widow's Bay and a big sendoff win for Stephen Colbert. Gold Derby published its final predictions on 11 September, headlined around Widow's Bay, The Pitt and DTF St. Louis.
The road to the night was set months ago. Nominations were scheduled for 8 July 2026. Emmy winners Liza Colón-Zayas and Jeff Hiller were set to announce them, after nominations-round voting closed on 22 June. In earlier rounds Variety had The Pitt, Widow's Bay, Love Story and John Oliver among its writing picks, and said Hacks and The Pitt led the guest acting races with Widow's Bay and Colman Domingo also strong.
For fans, this means a short watch list. Start with drama. Then comedy. Then see if the night follows the script.
