I watch dozens of new shows every year and these are the 5 Emmy nominees you need to stream right now
The 2026 Emmy nominations were just revealed on July 8, and, as always, there was a mix of surprises, snubs and deserved nominations. Top of the list was "Industry" season 4, which was shut out from the Emmys despite being the best show I've seen in 2026 so far.
But while "Industry" was snubbed, plenty of shows worthy of a watch were given a nod by the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. And I should know; last year I watched 60 shows, and this year I've seen 35 shows and counting. Returning shows like "The Pitt" and "Hacks" lead the pack with 25 and 24 nominations, respectively, and both are immediately worth adding to your watch list. New series like "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" and "Widow's Bay" also scored quite a few nominations in their debut seasons.
I haven't seen everything (nobody has the time), so there are some shows I can't recommend for or against. This year in particular, I missed out on the limited series nominees, though that partially comes down to "Task" being promoted from limited series to ongoing drama series. But I've seen 16 of the shows that earned at least one nomination at the 78th annual Primetime (and Creative Arts) Emmy Awards, so I feel relatively qualified to recommend five shows you need to watch right now that could win an award in September. Spoiler alert: "Task" makes this list.
So, without further ado, here are the five Emmy-nominated shows you need to stream right now. All five shows are available to watch on the best streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and more.
'The Pitt' season 2 (HBO Max)
Genre: Medical procedural drama series
What it's about: "The Pitt" is set in the emergency department of the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. Each season takes place over a single 15-hour workday in the ED. Like in season 1, season 2 juggles a lot of storylines across those mere hours, but the major story of the season is a cyber attack that's already taken out other hospitals in the area. Looming over it all is the countdown to the end of Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch's (Noah Wyle) shift, after which he's going on a road trip, and he might not come back.
Why you should watch it: This show is "ER" meets "24," and through two seasons, that's been a recipe for success. Season 1 was my best show of 2025 and cleaned up at the Emmys last year, and I expect season 2 to win for Outstanding Drama Series once again this year. Especially since episode 11 of this season, "5:00 P.M.," is one of the best of any show so far this year.
Stream "The Pitt" season 2 on HBO Max now
'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' (HBO Max)
Genre: Fantasy drama series
What it's about: "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" centers on Ser Duncan "Dunk" the Tall (Peter Claffey). A hedge knight (meaning a knight without a lord), he is headed to the tournament at Ashford Meadow. Along the way, he meets a young boy named "Egg" (Dexter Sol Ansell), and that meeting has consequences that will reverberate not just throughout Westeros but throughout history.
Why you should watch it: This "Game of Thrones" spinoff is different from "House of the Dragon." It manages to have an impact on larger, overarching storylines while remaining relatively focused and grounded. It takes place over just six 30(ish)-minute episodes, and the pre-climactic episode five, titled "Seven," is currently the best episode of any show I've seen this year. Whether or not you liked "Game of Thrones," you'll almost certainly find something to love in this new series.
Stream "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" season 1 on HBO Max now
'Widow's Bay' (Apple TV)
Genre: Comedy horror series
What it's about: "Widow's Bay" is set in the titular New England island town, which has aspirations of being the next Martha's Vineyard. Unfortunately for Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys), unlike Martha's Vineyard, his island oasis is secretly cursed, and it's not just the tourists who could be in danger.
Why you should watch it: The balance between comedy and horror that this show manages to strike is simply impressive. It's undeniably funny; former "Parks and Recreation" writer Katie Dippold is the creator of "Widow's Bay," and the office sitcom's fingerprints are visible on this new show. But there are truly horrifying moments, including a creepy clown that would put Pennywise to shame. This is one of the best shows of 2026 so far, period. It'd be my pick for Outstanding Comedy Series if I were an Emmy voter.
Stream "Widow's Bay" on Apple TV now
'Hacks' season 5 (HBO Max)
Genre: Dark comedy drama series
What it's about: "Hacks" stars Jean Smart as legendary stand-up comedian Deborah Vance, and Hannah Einbinder as her young protege/writer Ava Daniels. They've gone from revitalizing Deborah's career and taking it to the top of the world of late-night to watching it all come crashing down to earth. Now, in the show's final season, Deborah wants to go out on top — and on her terms.
Why you should watch it: "Hacks" season 1 and season 2 are two of the best seasons of a comedy show I've seen this decade. It's brilliant at times; not afraid to tug at your heartstrings, go to dark places or make you laugh uncontrollably at a politically incorrect joke. While seasons 3 and 4 were a bit of a drop-off in quality, season 5 was excellent, delivering two of the best episodes of TV I've seen in 2026 so far.
Stream "Hacks" season 5 on HBO Max now
'Task' (HBO Max)
Genre: Crime drama series
What it's about: "Task" stars Mark Ruffalo as Tom Brandis, an FBI agent reeling from a family trauma: the death of his wife. It's left the former priest turned law enforcement officer a shell of his former self. But he's been called back into service to form a task force aimed at hunting down Robbie (Tom Pelphrey), a criminal who's robbing the stash houses of a drug-running biker gang.
Why you should watch it: I was always going to love this show thanks to its Delco accents and Wawa coffee. But "Task" is truly an incredible show and a more than satisfactory follow-up to creator Brad Ingelsby's "Mare of Easttown." You become deeply invested in the characters as the show progresses, and that investment pays off massively in the show's final two episodes. The penultimate episode, in particular, "Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a river," will have you needing to remember to breathe. I just wish it had stayed a limited series, where it would easily clean up at the Emmys.
Stream "Task" season 1 on HBO Max now
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