The 2026 Emmy Awards guest acting categories promise unpredictability and fierce competition, with a mix of previous winners, popular veterans, and new contenders aiming for the prestigious statuette.
Guest Actor in Drama
Leading the guest actor in a drama series category is Colman Domingo for his role as Ali Muhammed in HBO Max's "Euphoria." Domingo, who previously won in 2022, continues to capture audiences with his compelling monologues. Eric Dane, also from "Euphoria," might see a posthumous honor for his performance as Cal Jacobs, adding an emotional depth to the race following his recent passing.
Guest Actress in Drama
Shailene Woodley is gaining momentum for her standout role in Hulu's "Paradise." However, competition is tight with Merritt Wever's consistent Emmy presence and Elisabeth Moss's return as June Osborne in "The Testaments" on Hulu, which could disrupt the predictions.
Guest Actor in Comedy
The comedy category sees Jon Bernthal eyeing another win for his role as Mikey Berzatto on FX's "The Bear," a role that earned him the award in 2024. However, "Shrinking" stars Michael J. Fox, Brett Goldstein, and Jeff Daniels could create a vote-splitting dilemma, potentially affecting the outcome.
Guest Actress in Comedy
Jamie Lee Curtis is well-positioned for a repeat nomination for her performance as Donna "DeeDee" Berzatto on "The Bear." Yet, she faces strong contenders from "Hacks," including Laurie Metcalf and Kaitlin Olson, as well as potential nominees from "Shrinking," such as Candice Bergen and Sherry Cola.
With official category submissions pending, the landscape remains fluid. The Emmy timeline includes nomination voting from June 11-22, announcements on July 8, final voting from August 17-26, with the Creative Arts Awards on September 5-6, and the main ceremony on September 14 on NBC.
Source: https://variety.com/lists/2026-emmys-guest-actor-actress-predictions/
