The 2026 Emmy nominations produced 28 first-time acting nominees, drawn from a wide range of drama, comedy and limited-series titles. Among the debut nominees were Heated Rivalry breakout Connor Storrie, Chase Infiniti, Leslie Bibb, Sarah Pidgeon, Brittany Allen and Megan Stalter, reflecting a broad spread of newcomers being recognised across the major categories.

Medical drama The Pitt led the first-time slate with ten debut acting nods, including Allen, Patrick Ball, Taylor Dearden and Fiona Dourif, and topped the overall nominations with 25. Hacks followed very closely with 24, a record for the most comedy series nominations in a single year, contributing first-timers such as Bibb, Lauren Weedman and Stalter. Other newly recognised names included Chase Infiniti (The Testaments), Sarah Pidgeon (Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette), Carey Mulligan and Charles Melton (Beef), Charlie Hunnam (Monster: The Ed Gein Story) and Muppet Show voice performer Matt Vogel. The 78th Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on Monday 14 September on NBC and Peacock, hosted by Mariska Hargitay.