While we frequently have films that “sweep” the Oscars by winning Best Director, Best Screenplay, an acting award, and Best Picture, the Emmys have a history of spreading the love, until recently. “Adolescence,” “Beef,” “The Bear” Season 1, “The Crown” Season 4, “Schitt’s Creek” Season 6, “The Studio” Season 1, “Succession” Seasons 2 and 4, and “The White Lotus” Season 1 all achieved this feat within the past few years. And just this previous Emmy season alone, all three of our reigning Outstanding Series winners went on to sweep the top prize of every major precursor they were eligible for. “Adolescence” only missed at the WGA and DGA Awards where it was ineligible, but it almost certainly would have won both if it was, considering it beat WGA and DGA winner “Dying for Sex” in both categories at the Emmy. This year, what shows have the potential to do the same?
It’s tempting to say “The Pitt” Season 2 will sweep due to its dominance at the winter precursors. Wins for Noah Wyle, Katherine LaNasa, and Series seem to be on lock due to the lack of any compelling threats; though it must be said this is strictly in terms of punditry, as “Pluribus” and “Slow Horses” have both delivered fantastic seasons of television. However, “The Pitt” failed to win Outstanding Writing or Directing last year, despite its WGA and DGA wins, likely because it received two nominations in both categories. There was also potentially a bit of a problem with voters not being able to tell the episodes apart, as the average Emmy voter might love the scene where Robby has a breakdown but not know which episode it takes place in, due to the show’s structure. I have a feeling this issue will be amplified this season as, with the finale sight unseen, there are no consensus episodes that pop into fans’ minds as standouts the way “2:00 P.M.,” “6:00 P.M.,” and “7:00 P.M.” do. It might also be fair to note that, as ravenous as the audience reception was for Season 1, some fans have turned on the show somewhat in the wake of the news that Supriya Ganesh will not be returning for Season 3. Some concerns have been raised that, after Tracy Ifeachor, Krystel V. McNeil, and Michael Hyatt, yet another actress who is a woman of color has left the show. While I don’t think this news is mainstream enough to affect the show’s chances, especially since many are defending this decision as being part of the show’s structure, I do think that the overall praise for the second season being a bit less unanimous than the first may hurt it in categories where it will need enough passion to overcome vote splitting.
And while I doubt it stands a chance in Outstanding Drama Series, Emmy voters love “Slow Horses” far more than any other awards body, having given it wins in both Outstanding Writing and Directing, even when the frontrunners had multiple episodes nominated. It beat heavyweights “Shōgun” in Outstanding Writing for its third season, along with “Severance” and “The Pitt” in Outstanding Directing for its fourth season. If “The Pitt” and “Pluribus” over-submit in Outstanding Writing and Directing, I would wager that “Slow Horses” could take at least one of the two categories. It also doesn’t hurt that this is both the show’s most political season yet and creator Will Smith’s final season writing on the show. Of the four frontrunners, “The Pitt” has the most secure chances in Outstanding Drama Series, but it would be much likelier to sweep if it received only one nomination in Outstanding Writing and Directing.
“Hacks” is an interesting case, because I can see it either sweeping if voters are as in love with the final season as critics are, or getting the bare minimum if voters move on to shows like “The Comeback” or “Margo’s Got Money Troubles.” “Hacks” has won Emmys for its writing, directing, performances, and the overall series before, but it has never swept. Even in winter, off the heels of its Emmy win, it won PGA, DGA, WGA, CC, and GG, only to lose the Actor Award for Best Ensemble to “Only Murders in the Building.” It could win all of these categories individually, but it faces enough competition in each one that makes a clean sweep a lot trickier. Outstanding Writing and Lead Actress are its best bets, as the writers have two Emmys for the former and Jean Smart has four Emmys for the latter. However, Lisa Kudrow poses a threat in both categories for “The Comeback.” That show’s commentary on how the entertainment industry is attempting to replace writers with AI feels like the kind of narrative writers would want to reward, and Kudrow gives one last phenomenal performance as Valerie Cherish. “Hacks” revolves around the bond between a comedienne and her writer, and Jean Smart continues to astonish as Deborah Vance, so I think it still has the edge in both categories. The HBO Max series’ chances in Outstanding Directing and Supporting Actress are weaker, but both are clearly winnable. The show won Outstanding Directing for its first season and has 2 DGA wins, but shows like “The Comeback” and “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” have their own visual flair: the former boasts format changes galore, while the latter weaves together narration, internet surfing, and stylish videos alongside its main story. Hannah Einbinder has more than enough material to repeat, but she has been worthy for practically every season of “Hacks.” Should voters feel like one Emmy is enough for her, they can easily give their votes to Michelle Pfeiffer (“Margo“) or Jessica Williams (“Shrinking“). “The Comeback,” “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” and “Shrinking” have their own paths to win Outstanding Comedy Series, even though the one for “Hacks” is by far the clearest. Ultimately, I think “Hacks” is likely the frontrunner in each of these individual categories. However, with all of these possibilities for upsets, I do think there is a strong chance that at least one of them happens.
And finally, we have “Beef” Season 2. The first season of “Beef” won Outstanding Writing, Director, and two acting awards, alongside Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. “Beef” Season 2 has the possibility of doing a 7/7 sweep like “The Crown” and “Schitt’s Creek”, with Outstanding Limited Series, Lead Actress, Lead Actor, Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor, Directing, and Writing. The audience and critical reception are a notable step down from Season 1, but its competition is fairly weak. The only shows that could hypothetically stand in its way are “Love Story,” which has received more press attention but an even weaker critical reception, and “Lord of the Flies,” which is untested with American critics but received a somewhat mixed reception in the UK. But unless the Emmy nominations reveal another show as the frontrunner, I think the field is empty enough for “Beef” to take Outstanding Writing, Directing, at least one acting award, along with the top prize. It’s far too early to call this race over, but “Beef” to me seems like the clear frontrunner in… every single category? Though it hasn’t exploded quite like Season 1 did, I get the sense that it doesn’t need to. It’s liked well enough for this field, and that’s all that counts!
Should “Beef” underwhelm in Emmy nominations, I suppose that “Love Story” becomes our frontrunner. But that being said, I highly doubt that it would win Outstanding Writing, even if it is our Series winner. If any miniseries sweeps this year – or honestly, any show period – it will be “Beef.”
If “The Pitt” only gets one episode nominated in Outstanding Writing and Directing, it’s sweeping. If it doesn’t, a path opens up for another show to take advantage of the vote split. “Hacks” has a good chance of winning each category on its own, but it has several contenders nipping at its heels. And I’m assuming “Beef” Season 2 is our frontrunner, given the first season’s strength and the relative weakness of its competitors. Still, it remains to be seen whether its step down in audience and critical reception will impact its chances. Ultimately, I predict that we will have at least one show sweep the main categories at the 2026 Emmys, but it’s unlikely to happen across all three sections of Drama, Comedy, and Limited Series.
Do you think any show can sweep at this year’s Emmy Awards? Who/what are you hoping will be nominated at this year’s Emmy Awards? Please let us know in the comments section below or over on our X account and check out our latest Emmy nomination predictions here.
