The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has officially revealed the contenders for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, and Apple TV+ has once again made history with a record-breaking 89 nominations. This marks a significant milestone for the streaming service, surpassing last year’s record of 81 nominations and showcasing Apple’s growing impact on the television landscape. The announcements were made on July 8, 2026, sparking widespread industry buzz.

Last year, Apple converted its 81 nominations into 25 wins, led by standout series like The Studio (which took home 13 awards including Best Comedy Series) and Severance (with 8 nods, including Lead Actress in a Drama for Britt Lower and Supporting Actor for Tramell Tillman). This year’s nomination haul suggests Apple TV+ is not just a contender but a dominant force in premium television.

Drama Series Dominance

In the Outstanding Drama Series category, Apple TV+ landed three of the eight nominees: Pluribus, Slow Horses, and Your Friends and Neighbors. Pluribus is a new series that quickly gained critical acclaim, while Slow Horses continues to be a mainstay in the category. Other nominees in this prestigious category include The Diplomat, The Gilded Age, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Paradise, and The Pitt.

In the acting categories for drama, Apple TV+ saw strong representation. Rhea Seehorn received a Lead Actress nomination for Pluribus, while Gary Oldman was nominated for Lead Actor in Slow Horses. Supporting actor nods went to Billy Crudup (The Morning Show), Jack Lowden (Slow Horses), and Carlos-Manuel Vesga (Pluribus). For supporting actress, Karolina Wydra was nominated for Pluribus.

Comedy Category Triumphs

Apple TV+ made an even bigger splash in the comedy categories. Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Shrinking, and Widow’s Bay all earned nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series, joining heavyweights like Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Hacks, Nobody Wants This, and Only Murders in the Building. Notably, Widow’s Bay received the most nominations of any new series this year, a remarkable achievement for a freshman comedy.

Acting nods in comedy were abundant. Elle Fanning was nominated for Lead Actress in Margo’s Got Money Troubles. Supporting actress nominees include Dale Dickey and Kate O’Flynn for Widow’s Bay, Michelle Pfeiffer for Margo’s Got Money Troubles, and Jessica Williams for Shrinking. For lead actor, Matthew Rhys (Widow’s Bay) and Jason Segel (Shrinking) both earned nominations. Supporting actor nominees feature Harrison Ford (Shrinking), Nick Offerman (Margo’s Got Money Troubles), Stephen Root (Widow’s Bay), and Michael Urie (Shrinking).

Limited Series, Variety, and Reality

While Apple TV+ didn’t land a nomination in Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series (the field consists of All Her Fault, The Beast In Me, Beef, DTF St. Louis, and Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette – A Love Untold), the service did make an impact in other categories. Mr. Scorsese (a documentary series) earned multiple nominations including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series and Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program. Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age was recognized for music composition and visual effects.

In the variety and reality categories, Apple TV+ saw nods for Palm Royale (choreography, production design, costuming, and stunt coordination), Murderbot (title design, music), Smoke (title design), Foundation (visual effects), and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (visual effects). The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny, though not an Apple TV+ series, received multiple nominations in variety and technical categories.

Guest Performances and Other Highlights

Apple TV+ shined in guest performer categories. Michael J. Fox earned a Guest Actor in a Comedy Series nomination for his appearance on Shrinking, alongside Brett Goldstein. In drama, Jonathan Pryce was nominated for Slow Horses and Jeff Hiller for Pluribus. The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy received a nomination for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special, solidifying Apple’s presence in reality and travel programming.

A full list of Apple TV+ nominees reveals a deep bench across technical categories like cinematography, editing, sound, production design, and costumes. This breadth underscores the production quality and creative talent Apple has attracted. The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with Mariska Hargitay hosting. Whether Apple can convert this record number of nominations into wins remains to be seen, but the momentum is undeniable.

Source: 9to5Mac News