As someone watching from New York, loving award shows and rooting for Black talent from miles away, it is frustrating to tune in only to see no Black representation awarded.
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards featured 23 Black nominees, but no Black performers won in the major acting categories during the televised ceremony. Here, we highlight a few of the nominees who deserved to be celebrated.
1. Qunita Brunson
Quinta Brunson was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for the “Team Building” episode. She is no stranger to Emmy recognition. In 2023, she made history as the second Black woman to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, following Isabel Sanford, who won in 1981. Brunson also became the first Black woman to be nominated in three comedy categories in the same year, a milestone that showed just how monumental her presence is in modern television.
And yet, despite Abbott Elementary earning seven nominations this year and being the only network show among the Outstanding Comedy Series nominees, the show walked away with zero wins.
For a series as culturally impactful as Abbott, and for an artist who has broken important barriers in representation, many people found it disheartening, especially when there is so much Black talent in the industry.
2. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Wonder Man, a project that already carried weight as a Black led Marvel series. Yahya stepped into a role that was not originally written as Black and faced backlash surrounding the casting, yet he delivered a performance that showed exactly why expanding representation in genre spaces matters. Seeing him win would have meant something, not just as recognition for his range, but as validation for a Black centered project that did not get the chance to fully thrive.
Yahya’s nomination should have been a moment of recognition for a performer who deserved better, not another name added to the shutout.
3. Zendaya
Zendaya was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Euphoria, a category she has already made history in. She is a two time Emmy winner for her portrayal of Rue Bennett, winning in 2020 and again in 2022. She became the youngest actress and the first Black woman to win the category twice.
Zendaya closed out the final season of Euphoria with some of her most emotional work, taking Rue’s story to a level that felt impossible to ignore.
Many viewers felt this nomination was her chance to leave the series with a final, well earned win. Instead, she became another example of what could have been despite her six total Emmy nominations and undeniable impact on modern television.
4. Colman domingo
Following Zendaya’s nomination, Colman Domingo also earned recognition for his work on Euphoria, receiving a nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. Colman has always been one of the emotional pillars of the show, but his performance in the final season was especially unforgettable. It is the same level of work that earned him his first Emmy win in 2022 for playing Ali Muhammad.
This year, he was also nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for The Four Seasons, making this his fourth career Emmy nomination and further proving his range across genres. Between his standout work in Euphoria and his acclaimed role in The Four Seasons, Domingo once again showed how easily he can move between completely different characters and genres.
5. Ayo Edebiri
Ayo Edebiri was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for The Bear, continuing a run that has made her one of the most celebrated performers in modern television. With five Emmy nominations and one win, including her 2023 victory for Outstanding Supporting Actress, she has consistently proven her range and depth.
Her work in Season 3 earned her a Lead Actress nomination, as well as a directing nomination for the episode “Napkins” in 2025, showing how fully she has stepped into her power as both an actor and storyteller.
By the time the 2026 Lead Actress nomination arrived, many viewers felt she had earned a moment of recognition that matched the momentum she has built over the last four years.
While the Primetime Emmys ended with no Black acting winners, Black artists still made their mark at the Creative Arts Emmys the weekend before. Octavia Spencer earned her first Emmy for narrating Lost Women of Alaska, and Ernest Harden Jr. won Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for The Pitt. Their wins matter. They are proof that the talent is there, even when the main ceremony does not reflect it.
This is not to diminish the actors, directors and shows that did win. Their work matters. But it is equally important to acknowledge how representation shapes a predominantly white industry, and how the lack of Black winners at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards is worth examining. In 2026, seeing major acting categories pass without a Black winner is still something worth talking about.
Here is a list of the other nominees – Emmys 2026 — Black Stars Nominated