Sci-Fi Bulletin: Exploring the Universes of SF, Fantasy, Horror and Spy-fi!

It’s traditional to bemoan the state of genre fiction and, like all traditions, the binary of good/bad, right/wrong is pretty much always false. This year’s Emmys prove that point. Alasdair Stuart’s here to break down the genre TV finalists.

Two points to start with. Art is a team sport and a lot of these categories have a lot of names attached to them. We’ve opted to list them all, because without these folks, these shows wouldn’t exist. Name, and attention, is currency in the creative professions and all these folks deserve their flowers so we’re giving all of them the spotlight they deserve.

Let’s start with completely non-genre shows, The Pitt and Hacks. The Pitt, the Pittsburgh based pseudo real-time medical drama is excellent and picked up a massive 25 nominations. The equally excellent Hacks, about the friendship between an older female comedian and her new young writer, picked up 24 for its final season. Massively worth your time.

In genre terms, everyone wants to go to Widow’s Bay. The AppleTV show hit a colossal 19 nominations for its first season and I couldn’t be happier for showrunner Kate Dippold. To go from being the target of some of the worst people on the internet for daring to write a Ghostbusters movie with women in it to having her work and the work of her team deservedly celebrated like that is wonderful. She’s a pretty kickass Babadook cosplayer too.

Widow’s Bay is up for

Outstanding Music Supervision – 2026

• Toko Nagata, Music Supervisor

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series – 2026

• Betty Gilpin, as Sarah Westcott Warren

Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Program (Half-Hour) – 2026

• Steve Arnold, Production Designer
• Peter Borck, Supervising Art Director
• Jennifer Engel, Set Decorator

Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Animation – 2026

• Tim Hoogenakker, Re-Recording Mixer
• Larry Benjamin, CAS, Re-Recording Mixer
• Kevin Parker, Production Mixer
• Scott Michael Smith, Scoring Mixer
• Judah Getz, ADR Mixer

Outstanding Picture Editing For A Single-Camera Comedy Series – 2026

• Kyle Reiter, Editor

Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series – 2026

• Hiro Murai, Directed by

Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score) – 2026

• David Fleming, Composer

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series – 2026

• Kate O’Flynn, as Patricia

Outstanding Picture Editing For A Single-Camera Comedy Series – 2026

• Isaac Hagy, Editor

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series – 2026

• Stephen Root, as Wyck

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series – 2026

• Jeff Hiller, as Larry

Outstanding Comedy Series – 2026

• Katie Dippold, Executive Producer
• Hiro Murai, Executive Producer
• Carver Karaszewski, Executive Producer
• Claudia Shin, Executive Producer
• Matthew Rhys, Executive Producer
• Joanne Toll, Co-Executive Producer
• Kelly Galuska, Co-Executive Producer
• Mackenzie Dohr, Co-Executive Producer
• Neil Casey, Supervising Producer
• Colton Dunn, Supervising Producer
• Kaitlin Waldron, Producer
• Christian Sprenger, Producer

Outstanding Casting For A Comedy Series – 2026

• Allison Jones, Casting by
• Emily Buntyn, Casting by
• Lisa Lobel, Location Casting
• Angela Peri, Location Casting

Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Animation – 2026

• Matt Yocum, Co-Supervising Sound Editor
• Sang Kim, Co-Supervising Sound Editor
• Goeun Everett, Sound Effects Editor
• Ryan Sullivan, Sound Effects Editor
• Nate Underkuffler, Music Editor
• Leslie Bloome, Foley Artist
• Shaun Brennan, Foley Artist

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series – 2026

• Dale Dickey, as Rosemary
  Outstanding Cinematography For A Series (Half-Hour) – 2026

• Christian Sprenger, Director of Photography

Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series – 2026

• Katie Dippold, Written by

Outstanding Picture Editing For A Single-Camera Comedy Series – 2026

• Jen Bryson, Editor

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series – 2026

• Matthew Rhys, as Mayor Tom Loftis

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series – 2026

• Hamish Linklater, as Richard Warren

One nomination behind at 18 is Pluribus and again, this is excellent new. Vince Gilligan’s post-Covid anxiety riddled Invasion of the Bodysnatchers riff delivered a first season that took its time and hit every single target. Here’s the full breakdown:

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series – 2026

• Miriam Shor, as Helen

Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour) – 2026

• Larry Benjamin, CAS, Re-Recording Mixer
• Tim Hoogenakker, Re-Recording Mixer
• Phillip W. Palmer, CAS, Production Mixer
• Dave Porter, Scoring Mixer
• Ron Mellegers, Foley Mixer
• Judah Getz, ADR Mixer

Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score) – 2026

• Dave Porter, Composer

Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music – 2026

• Dave Porter, Composer

Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series – 2026

• Vince Gilligan, Written by

Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Contemporary Program (One Hour Or More) – 2026

• Denise Pizzini, Production Designer
• Dins Danielsen, Supervising Art Director
• Ashley Michelle Marsh, Set Decorator

Outstanding Picture Editing For A Drama Series – 2026

• Joey Liew, Editor

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series – 2026

• Carlos-Manuel Vesga, as Manousos

Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series – 2026

• Vince Gilligan, Directed by

Outstanding Drama Series – 2026

• Vince Gilligan, Executive Producer
• Jeff Frost, Executive Producer
• Gordon Smith, Executive Producer
• Alison Tatlock, Executive Producer
• Diane Mercer, Executive Producer
• Jenn Carroll, Co-Executive Producer
• Trina Siopy, Co-Executive Producer
• Julie Hartley, Producer
• Chris Smirnoff, Produced by

Outstanding Music Supervision – 2026

• Thomas Golubić, Music Supervisor

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series – 2026

• Karolina Wydra, as Zosia

Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series – 2026

• Sharon Bialy, CSA, Casting by
• Sherry Thomas, CSA, Casting by
• Russell Scott, CSA, Casting by
• Marie A.K. McMaster, Location Casting

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series – 2026

• Rhea Seehorn, as Carol Sturka

Outstanding Cinematography For A Series (One Hour) – 2026

• Marshall Adams, ASC, Director of Photography

Outstanding Picture Editing For A Drama Series – 2026

• Chris McCaleb, Editor

Paradise also got deservedly recognised.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series – 2026

• Julianne Nicholson, as Sinatra

Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series – 2026

• Hanelle M. Culpepper, Directed by

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series – 2026

Sterling K. Brown, as Xavier Collins

Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Single Episode – 2026

• John Weckworth, VFX Supervisor
• John Stewart, VFX Supervisor
• Chapel Folger, VFX Producer
• John Brennick, Compositing Supervisor
• Evan Underwood, CG/FX Supervisor
• Christian Day, Lead Lighter
• Chris Messineo, FX Lead
• Scott Gastellu, Compositing Lead
• Linda Tremblay, Compositing Lead
• Meliza Fermin, DMP Supervisor
• Kristofer Cross, Associate Producer
• Blair Foord, Special FX Coordinator

Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series – 2026

• Tiffany Little Canfield, CSA, Casting by
• Josh Einsohn, Casting by
• Brian Sutow, Associate Casting Director

Outstanding Drama Series – 2026

• Dan Fogelman, Executive Producer
• Jess Rosenthal, Executive Producer
• John Hoberg, Executive Producer
• Sterling K. Brown, Executive Producer
• Steve Beers, Executive Producer
• Glenn Ficarra, Executive Producer
• John Requa, Executive Producer
• Jason Wilborn, Co-Executive Producer
• Scott Weinger, Co-Executive Producer
• Melissa Glenn, Co-Executive Producer
• Chris Nguyen-Gia, Producer
• Randol Perelman-Taylor, Produced by

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series – 2026

• Shailene Woodley, as Annie

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms also did well in its first year.

Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes – 2026

• Lorna Ó Ríordáin, Costume Designer
• Libby Dempster, Assistant Costume Designer
• Kyle Callanan, Assistant Costume Designer
• Rachael W. Crozier, Costume Supervisor
• Stephen O Rawe, Costume Supervisor

Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Single Episode – 2026

• Arron Roebuck, Overall VFX Supervisor
• Paul Russo, Overall VFX Producer
• Luke Dhand, VFX Editor
• Angel Rico Riesgo, VFX Supervisor at El Ranchito
• Sonsoles L. Aranguren, Additional VFX Supervisor at El Ranchito
• Rocío Ruiz de Azúa, VFX Producer at El Ranchito
• Mike Dawson, SFX Supervisor
• Tom Lloyd, SFX Floor Supervisor
• Paul Tuersley, VFX Artist

Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score) – 2026

• Dan Romer, Composer

Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Animation – 2026

• Alastair Sirkett, Supervising Sound Editor
• Martin Cantwell, Sound Designer
• Michele Woods, Dialogue Editor
• Adele Fletcher, ADR Editor
• Ruth Knight, Sound Effects Editor
• Neil Stemp, Music Editor
• Barnaby Smyth , Foley Artist
• Rebecca Glover, Foley Artist

Outstanding Stunt Performance – 2026

• Zach Roberts, Stunt Performer
• Gyula Tóth, Stunt Performer
• Chris Cox, Stunt Performer
• Jake Cox, Stunt Performer

Outstanding Cinematography For A Series (Half-Hour) – 2026

• Gustav Danielsson, Director of Photography

Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Program (Half-Hour) – 2026

• Tom McCullagh, Production Designer
• John Merry, Supervising Art Director
• Stephanie Rea, Set Decorator

Outstanding Period Or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Hairstyling – 2026

• Pippa Woods, Department Head Hairstylist
• Lucille Harding, Hair Supervisor
• Tamara-May Richards, Assistant Department Head Hairstylist
• Anna Knight, Hairstylist
• Cat Coogan, Hairstylist
• Lauren Appleby, Hairstylist

Outstanding Drama Series – 2026

• Ira Parker, Executive Producer
• George R.R. Martin, Executive Producer
• Sarah Bradshaw, Executive Producer
• Ryan Condal, Executive Producer
• Owen Harris, Executive Producer
• Vince Gerardis, Executive Producer
• Aziza Barnes, Co-Executive Producer
• Hiram Martinez, Co-Executive Producer
• Annie Julia Wyman, Co-Executive Producer
• Sarah Adina Smith, Co-Executive Producer
• Layla Blackman, Producer
• Lisa Byrne, Produced by 
• And AppleTV’s excellent day continues with three nods for Murderbot! Mystifyingly these haven’t been reported anywhere near as widely as other nominations.

  Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music – 2026

  • Amanda Jones, Composer

  Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Animation – 2026

  • Tyler Whitham, Co-Supervising Sound Editor
  • Danielle McBride, Co-Supervising Sound Editor
  • Ève Corrêa-Guedes, Dialogue Editor
  • Craig MacLellan, Sound Effects Editor
  • Marcelle Simpson, Music Editor
  • Nicholas Fitzgerald, Music Editor
  • John Elliot, Foley Artist

   

  Outstanding Title Design – 2026

  • Hazel Baird, Creative Director
  • Rob Cawdery, Creative Director
  • Phil Davies, Designer/Animator
  • Ben Jones, Animator
  • Ethem Cem, Designer
  • Joe Paniagua, 3D Artist
  • Lance Slaton, Illustrator
  • Mike Zeng, Designer

   

   

The Chair Company, which is surely a show anyone missing Severance should be watching, also got a pair of nods.

Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series – 2026

• Tim Robinson, Written by
• Zach Kanin, Written by

Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series – 2026

• Andrew DeYoung, Directed by

One genre parish over, Slough House’s finest ride again! Slow Horses‘ nominations are:

Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series – 2026

• Saul Metzstein,

Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series – 2026

• Nina Gold, Casting by
• Melissa Gethin Clarke,

Outstanding Drama Series – 2026

• Will Smith, Executive Producer
• Jamie Laurenson, Executive Producer
• Hakan Kousetta, Executive Producer
• Julian Stevens, Executive Producer
• Iain Canning, Executive Producer
• Emile Sherman, Executive Producer
• Douglas Urbanski, Executive Producer
• Gail Mutrux, Executive Producer
• Graham Yost, Executive Producer
• Simon Gillis, Co-Executive Producer

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series – 2026

• Gary Oldman, as Jackson Lamb

Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score) – 2026

• Daniel Pemberton, Composer
• Toydrum, Composer

Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series – 2026

• Will Smith

It was a very good year to be a Slow Horse, and Pryce’s heartbreaking depiction of the OB’s dementia was as open hearted as it was heartbreaking. The fact that landed in the same show as the best Batman joke you’ll see this year is a testament to just how good it is. And of course I have that for you.

Meanwhile, genre adjacent octopus movie Remarkably Bright Creatures on Netflix (You’ll cry, be ready) picking up three nods

Outstanding Television Movie – 2026

• Alyssa Rodrigues, Executive Producer
• Erika Hampson, Executive Producer
• Olivia Newman, Executive Producer
• Shelby Van Pelt, Executive Producer
• Tony Lipp, Executive Producer
• Alisa Tager, Executive Producer
• Bryan Unkeless, Produced by
• Peter Craig, Produced by
• David Levine

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie – 2026

• Sally Field, as Tova Sullivan

Outstanding Contemporary Costumes For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie – 2026

• Carla Hetland, Costume Designer
• Laura Zydervelt, Costume Supervisor
• Margaret Schliessler, Assistant Costume Designer

But maybe the name I’m happiest to see is Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his incredible work on Wonder Man. Go get ’em, Simon.

Dropout, the superb improv comedy/actual play streaming platform run by actual trickster spirit Sam Reich was shut out again this year. Do yourself a favour and watch any of the free full episodes up here, you’ll have a really good time.

https://www.youtube.com/@dropout

For me, there are three conclusions here. The first is that Emmy voters have a very small slice of TV that they pay attention to, but that slice is genuinely very good. The second is that this really is a team sport, and it’s incredible how many people labour to produce the art we all love, even if some of us love to hate it sometimes. But most of all? Genre fiction, especially in TV, is thriving. Two of the biggest TV shows in the western world are a horror comedy and a science fiction story about the last woman on Earth. In a climate where it’s so common to default to the assumption everything’s terrible and we’re somehow still the ostracised kids the field hasn’t been for decades, this is proof that the opposite is true in the best of ways. Just remember, it’s completely safe to drive past the old hospital. Just don’t stop.

Widow’s Bay, Pluribus and Slow Horses are on AppleTV. The Pitt, Hacks, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and The Chair Company are on HBO. Paradise is on Hulu, Wonder Man is on Disney + and Remarkably Bright Creatures is on Netflix.

All information from https://www.televisionacademy.com/awards/awards-search