The 2026 Emmy nominations are here, and Black talent is once again making its mark across television’s biggest night
From actors delivering standout performances to writers, directors, producers and hosts shaping some of the year’s most talked-about projects, this year’s nominees reflect the depth and range of Black excellence both on-screen and behind the scenes
Here’s every Black nominee recognized at the 2026 Emmy Awards
Quinta Brunson
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series — Abbott Elementary (“Team Building”)
Ayo Edebiri
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Chase Infiniti
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Zendaya
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Janelle James
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Jessica Williams
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Colman Domingo
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Tyler James Williams
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Joy Sunday
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
Ernest Harden Jr
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Hanelle M. Culpepper
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
RuPaul
Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program — RuPaul’s Drag Race
Steve Harvey
Outstanding Host for a Game Show
Dave Chappelle
Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) — Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable
Rikki Hughes
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special — Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable
Wanda Sykes
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special — Wanda Sykes: Legacy
Julie Dash
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special — Wanda Sykes: Legacy
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series — Sean Combs: The Reckoning
Alexandria Stapleton
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series — Sean Combs: The Reckoning
Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program — Sean Combs: The Reckoning
Henry Louis Gates Jr
Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special
Salimah El-Amin
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
In addition to the Primetime Emmy nominations announced Wednesday (July 8), several Black creatives also earned recognition in the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which honor outstanding artistic and technical achievements across television. Among this year’s nominees are:
- Kimberly Kimble — Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling (Euphoria)
- Sharif Poston — Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling (All’s Fair); Outstanding Hairstyling for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program (Wicked: One Wonderful Night)
- Charm La’Donna — Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming (The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny)
- Jamal Sims — Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming (RuPaul’s Drag Race)
- Christian John-Devi Vincent — Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming (Noah’s Arc: The Movie)
- Tony Hardmon — Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program (My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay)
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