The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards took place on Sept. 25, 2026, and with so many amazing actors in the major categories, it was a real toss-up on who would walk away with an award that Monday night.
What started as a night full of red carpet looks and iconic appearances (I’m talking about William Stanford Davis, or Mr. Johnson of Abbott Elementary, showing up and absolutely serving in his suit) ended with many raising a common question about a trend in Emmy winners this year.
Why were all of the Black actors missing from the winners’ lineup at the live event, when so many (10 across major categories) were nominated?
“Ayo, Quinta, and Zendaya gave some of the best TV performances of the year, and for Ayo and Zendaya, this was their last chance to win for The Bear and Euphoria, respectively, as both shows ended this year,” said Danielle Okogho, a Media Studies student at UC Berkeley. “Disappointed, but sadly not surprised.”
This is not to discredit those who won that night but simply to bring a deeper trend to light: the overshadowing of people of color in Hollywood.
Major Black Entertainment Nominees and Who They Lost to
For a little background, here are some of the most notable Black Emmy nominees of 2026 and who they lost to, including the two wins that weren’t televised at the end.
“With such a strong group of performances this year and not a single Black winner, it feels like the Emmys have taken quite a few steps backward from rewarding Black talent,” Reanna Bartels-Quansah, a 2025 International Relations graduate at Colgate University, said.
For Outstanding Lead in a Drama Series, Zendaya was among the female nominees for her work in HBO Max’s Euphoria, and Sterling K. Brown was among the male nominees for Hulu’s Paradise. The wins went to Pluribus actress Rhea Seehorn and Noah Wyle of HBO Max’s The Pitt.
Hulu’s The Bear actress Ayo Edebiri and Quinta Brunson of Abbott Elementary were nominated for Outstanding Lead in a Comedy Series along with Wonder Man’s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Jean Smart of Hacks walked away the winning actress, and Matthew Rhys from Widows Bay took home the award for the male category.
Colman Domingo received a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in Netflix’s Four Seasons; Stephen Root won for his work in Widow’s Bay.
Hulu’s Abbott Elementary received a total of five nominations at the 2026 Emmy Awards but did not leave with any wins.
At the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, held Sept. 5 and 6, 2026, two Black actors received awards. Octavia Spencer won her first Emmy for Outstanding Narration in Lost Women of Alaska, and Ernest Harden Jr. received an award for Outstanding Guest Actor in The Pitt.
Reactions to Emmy Award Results
People had a lot to say immediately following the award ceremony, even revamping the circulation of the hashtag “#EmmysSoWhite.”
People are blaming these results on the lack of diversity in the Emmy voting ring. In a report done by the Emerald Pages, Emerald Book’s industry analysis of Television Academy voting data said, “When nearly 70% of the voting body belongs to a single demographic group, it creates an invisible but incredibly strong cultural baseline. Combine that with a system that rewards massive sweeps, and a complete shutout becomes much easier to see.”
“While I was disappointed that Quinta, Ayo, and Zendaya left empty-handed, I can’t say that I was surprised,” Leila Williams, a 2026 Communications and Media graduate at the University of Michigan, said. “Generally, I find that the Emmys failing to award any Black performers is a symptom of a larger problem. It really shows where we are right now as a country and as a world.”
The Emmys have always faced fluctuations in diverse wins, with 2020 making Emmy history as seven Black nominations took home trophies, a record yet to be topped.
“It’s heartbreaking to see Black creatives get overlooked, but unfortunately, it’s a reality we face far too often,” said Jayona Monique Dorsey, who studies Strategic Communications at Hampton University. “Moments like the Emmys simply put that reality on a larger stage, which is why it’s so important that we continue creating and supporting spaces where we can celebrate our own work, achievements, and impact.”
It’s unclear how the Academy will react to these Emmy results and the public’s responses thus far, but one thing is true: people crave diversity on the big screen. The days of overlooking people of color are outdated and unwelcome in Hollywood.
“We deserve to be celebrated, not simply tolerated,” Dorsey said in a powerful comment on the overshadowing of Black entertainers at the Emmys.