Even with last year’s winner of Best Comedy Series, The Studio, not having its Season 2 ready in time for Emmy eligibility in 2026, the field is crowded with holdovers from 2025.
There’s Hacks, coming to an end after five celebrated seasons and almost as many Comedy Actress wins for Jean Smart. And past winner The Bear, which has had a more and more difficult time beating those “not a comedy” allegations. When you throw in other likely repeat nominees such as Only Murders in the Building, Shrinking, Abbott Elementary, and Nobody Wants This, the category is nearly full up. And if The Comeback‘s comeback gets in, the beloved, long-dormant series could make the field even tighter for new shows looking to break ranks.
With a strong batch of newcomers entering Best Comedy Series contention, competition will be tight. Here’s a rundown of the shows that have the best shot at making it into the elite eight.
Emmy Awards Nominations 2026
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Only Murders in the Building
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Margo’s Got Money Troubles
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Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat
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The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins
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Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair
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Shifting Gears
ABC
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Overcompensating
Prime Video
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Happy’s Place
Peacock
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English Teacher
FX
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Emily in Paris
Netflix
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DMV
CBS
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Chad Powers
Hulu
58.
Boots
Netflix
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All’s Fair
Hulu
Margo’s Got Money Troubles
The one new series already within nomination range, according to Gold Derby predictions, is the recently premiered Apple TV book adaptation from David E. Kelley. Starring Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nick Offerman, Margo’s Got Money Troubles is currently in prime position to make it into the category. With good reviews and recency bias factoring in once voting starts, this may be the safest bet among the newcomers.
The Chair Company
Perhaps because I Think You Should Leave‘s categories in the short-form space are all relegated to the Creative Arts Emmys, Tim Robinson’s status as a three-time winner has flown somewhat under the radar. His Netflix sketch show has won three of the four times its been nominated, so it’s clear that the Television Academy has time for its particular sense of humor. Now, The Chair Company, Robinson’s show co-created with his I Think You Should Leave partner Zach Kanin, will be competing in the general comedy space, setting up a potential crossover to the mainstage for the duo.
Rooster
With previous Best Comedy Series winner Ted Lasso not returning with its fourth season until this summer, co-creator Bill Lawrence could still make it into the category with another of his show’s, Rooster starring Steve Carell. The series has landed well with critics and viewers, and 10-time nominee Carell is someone the Academy has backed again and again.
The Lowdown
The latest from Reservation Dogs creator Sterlin Harjo may be lower down in the odds, but The Lowdown should not be underestimated. The writer-producer’s previous FX series ended its run with a nomination in Best Comedy Series, and the reviews for the Ethan Hawke-led show were some of the best this cycle. If there’s a dark horse in the category, this is it.
