My Predictions (And Hopes) For the 2026 Golden Globes For TV

 

On Sunday night the Golden Globes will give their annual awards. And there is one question on everybody's mind this year…

How many times will someone say: "Thank you, Sal Saperstein!"

No I'm kidding. The real question is: will the Golden Globes be nearly as entertaining as they appeared to be in the episode on this past season of The Studio?

All right I'm having way too much fun with this joke. But come on considering how brilliant that particular episode was of The Studio and how many of the nominees for television this year did cameos in The Studio you have to wonder how many of the stars will be thinking about going forward.

In truth Nikki Glaser was masterful when she hosted the Golden Globes last year and earned the right to see how well she can top herself the second time around.  And as someone who has always considered the TV awards the Golden Globes did incredible, even under the controversial leadership of the now defunct Hollywood Foreign Press Association, I am still trying to figure out how they will do under the third year of their new brand and leadership when it comes to television.

In 2024, even though they were supposed to take place after the Emmys rather then before, they pretty ended up mirroring how it went award for award that year with the sole exception of Elizabeth Debicki winning for The Crown – and she went on to win it the following fall. Last year, it was a blend of the old when it came to drama as Shogun dominated, a mix of new and familiar with comedy and when it came to Limited Series they pretty much split the difference.

So what will happen in 2026? Here's what I am predicting, keeping in mind the Globes has always demonstrated the art of following its own drum.

 

OUTSTANDING DRAMA

It's worth noting its usually the series that has the most nominations that wins in this category and this year it's The White Lotus which has six nominations. Furthermore The White Lotus has won at the Golden Globes in the category Best Limited Series so it does have a history of success. Considering HBO's spectacular track record with the Golden Globes from Sixt Feet Under and The Sopranos to Succession and House of The Dragon, it could very well pull it off.

That said, I'm relatively sure that the Globes will follow the Emmys in this category and give its grand prize to The Pitt, which while it may be a streaming show is still under the HBO bandwidth.

Should Win: The Pitt.

Will Win: The White Lotus/The Pitt

 

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA

This one is a no-brainer. Noah Wylie has already won the Emmy and the Critics' Choice Award and he's more than due a win at this awards show. Expect him to continue his grand sweep of every award between here and the SAG. (I know if Adam Scott won, he'd almost certainly thank Sal Saperstein. But this is real life.)

Should Win/Will Win: Wylie

 

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

All right. Theoretically Seehorn should be the favorite having won at the Critics' Choice Awards this past Sunday. And it is true the two groups have correlated a lot – except last year when Anna Sawai won the Golden Globe and Kathy Bates won the Critics' Choice Award.

I think Seehorn will pull off because, with the exception of Helen Mirren, this is the same field she defeated at the Critics Choice Awards. But don't rule out a win for Kathy Bates who is overdue. Though honestly there are no bad choices among the nominees.

Should Win: Bates.

Will Win: Seehorn (?)

 

BEST COMEDY SERIES

Again Only Murders in the Building is the most nominated show but this is an easy one. The Studio takes this in a walk. Its winning at the Golden Globes may be more meta than any award show in history since Maggie Smith won an Oscar for playing an Oscar nominated actress in California Suite.

Should Win/Will Win: The Studio.

 

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Jeremy Allan White won last year to make it three in a row in this category. That award took the most heat last year and now that more and more people are turning on the idea that The Bear is a comedy, its unlikely it will be four in a row.

I'd personally like to see Adam Brody prevail in this category because he should have won last year. But I have no problem with Rogen collecting another trophy, particularly as the only one he can win.

Should Win: Brody.

Will Win: Rogen.

 

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Much as I think its well past time Kristen Bell won something from the Golden Globes and I would love to see Natasha Lyonne get something for her work in the now cancelled Poker Face we are all aware who's going to win and we're all fine with it. Jean Smart has won twice in this category, one short of the number of Season Hacks was on the air (she lost to Quinta Brunson in 2023 no argument) and she's absolutely deserving to win a third. The only question is, will she thank Sal Saperstein at the end of her speech like she did at the Golden Globes on the show?

Should Win/Will Win: Smart.

 

OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES

Much as I'd rather see Dying for Sex or All Her Fault win here I know the award is going to go to Adolescence. Am I okay with it? No. But I'm going to start watching Beast in Me and The Girlfriend to see which of them will contend for Emmys next year, along with All Her Fault.

Should Win: All Her Fault.

Will Win: Adolescence.

 

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

Graham is the only nominee I've seen so far and can talk about with confidence. I will be pulling for Rhys and knowing Graham will win.

Should Win: Rhys.

Will Win Graham.

 

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

All right this has a decent group of nominees. My personal favorites would be either Sarah Snook or Amanda Seyfried for her work in Long Bright River.  Thing is unlike the Critics Choice Awards the Golden Globes has looked more to the past when it comes to winners in this category then the future and I'm just not sure either of these performances have enough momentum.

I think the Golden Globes will go with Michelle Williams for her work in Dying For Sex. She's always had a longer history of success with them, stretching back to her win for My Week With Marilyn in 2012. I'll give her the barest of edges.

Should Win: Snook/Seyfried.

Will Win: Williams.

 

OUTSTANDING TV SUPPORTING ACTOR

This one might not go as expect because as you can see Owen Cooper is up against Tramell Tillman, both of whom have won in the Emmys and the Critics' Choice Awards.

Personally I'd love to see Walton Goggins win here for his spectacular work in The White Lotus. But I'm giving the barest of edges to Cooper. Remember there have been surprising in these categories before.

Should Win: Goggins.

Will Win: Cooper.

 

OUTSTANDING TV SUPPORTING ACTRESS

The Critics Choice won't be as much in play as neither Katherine LaNasa nor Janelle James is here. We do, however, have two of the other Emmy winners in this category this past year Hannah Einbinder for Hacks and Erin Doherty for Adolescence.

I'm less sure here that the Critics Choice will go along with the usual suspects. Personally I would love to see Carrie Coon or Parker Posey win for their work in The White Lotus – and Jennifer Coolidge did win in this category once. I think it will go to Coon or Einbinder rather than Doherty.

Should Win: Coon.

Will Win: Einbinder (but they're all good choices).

 

I'll be back on Monday with my comparison between how the Golden Globes played out as to whether it was as funny as on The Studio – I mean, my reactions to the winners in this category.