Who will win Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2026?

5 nominees are competing for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, airing Mon, Sep 14, 2026 · 8pm ET on NBC & Peacock. In most pools this category is worth up to 2 points. Every ballot has to call it.

Updated July 2026

The 2026 nominees

NomineeTitle / Network
Yahya Abdul-Mateen IIWonder Man
Steve CarellRooster
Matthew RhysWidow's Bay
Jason SegelShrinking
Martin ShortOnly Murders in the Building

How do pools score this category?

Flat scoring gives every category 1 point. In Envelope’s Headliners preset, this is a tier-2 category worth 2 points: a major race with real leaderboard consequences.

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How many nominees are in Lead Actor · Comedy?

There are 5 nominees for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. The full field is listed above, exactly as it appears on the Envelope ballot for this ceremony.

When is the winner announced?

During the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards broadcast, Mon, Sep 14, 2026 · 8pm ET on NBC & Peacock. Pool ballots lock when the ceremony starts, so picks go in before the first envelope opens.

The lead races: where 'I had a feeling' becomes a personality.