Golden Globes Unveil 2026 Nominations Led by ‘The White Lotus’ in TV

‘The White Lotus’ secured six nominations, topping the television field at the 2026 Golden Globes. The HBO anthology series earned nods for Best Television Series – Drama, along with acting recognitions for Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, and Aimee Lou Wood in supporting female roles. This haul positions the show as a frontrunner amid a competitive year for prestige dramas.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced the full slate across 28 categories on December 8, covering film, television, and podcasts. Netflix claimed 22 television nominations overall, underscoring the streamer’s dominance in scripted content. ‘Adolescence’ followed with five bids, including Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, and supporting actor nods for Erin Doherty, Owen Cooper, and Ashley Walters.

‘Only Murders in the Building’ and ‘Severance’ each garnered four nominations. The Hulu mystery-comedy contended in Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy, with Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short vying for lead actor honors. Apple TV+’s ‘Severance’ targeted Best Television Series – Drama, featuring Britt Lower, Adam Scott, and Tramell Tillman in acting categories.

Other comedy contenders included ‘The Bear’, ‘Hacks’, and ‘Nobody Wants This’. Ayo Edebiri sought a nod for ‘The Bear’ in Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Jean Smart aimed for ‘Hacks’ in the same category, while Kristen Bell and Adam Brody competed for ‘Nobody Wants This’.

Drama series Best Television Series contenders encompassed ‘Paradise’, ‘Slow Horses’, ‘Task’, and ‘The Pitt’. Sterling K. Brown represented ‘Paradise’ for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Drama. Diego Luna nodded for ‘Andor’, Gary Oldman for ‘Slow Horses’, Mark Ruffalo for ‘Task’, Adam Scott for ‘Severance’, and Noah Wyle for ‘The Pitt’.

The ceremony, set for January 5 at the Beverly Hilton, broadcasts live on CBS and streams on Paramount+. The HFPA, reformed post-2021 diversity scandals with 300 international voters, emphasizes ethical standards. Voter expansion includes more global representation, influencing selections like ‘Andor’ from Lucasfilm.

Limited series highlights featured ‘Adolescence’ alongside ‘The Penguin’ and ‘True Detective: Night Country’. Colin Farrell contended for ‘The Penguin’ in Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series. Jodie Foster sought a bid for ‘True Detective: Night Country’ in Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Limited Series.

Comedic acting races drew veterans and newcomers. Steve Martin and Martin Short’s ensemble dynamic in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ earned dual nods. Selena Gomez’s portrayal of Mabel Mora marked her third consecutive nomination in the category.

International series nods went to ‘Pachinko’ and ‘Squid Game’ Season 2. Kim Min-ha vied for ‘Pachinko’ in Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series – Drama. Lee Jung-jae returned for ‘Squid Game’ in Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Drama.

The nominations reflect streaming’s ascent, with traditional networks like ABC and NBC trailing. HBO Max led broadcasters with ‘The White Lotus’ and ‘The Penguin’. Voter guidelines prioritize performances over popularity, though Netflix’s volume suggests algorithmic sway.

Coon’s ‘The White Lotus’ role as a tech heiress drew praise for subtlety amid ensemble chaos. Posey’s return as a resort manager amplified the show’s satirical edge on privilege. Wood’s newcomer status in the series boosted her visibility.

‘Adolescence’ explored generational trauma through a British family lens, earning critical acclaim at Sundance. Doherty’s layered depiction of a daughter navigating loss anchored the narrative. Cooper and Walters provided grounded support in familial conflicts.

‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 4 shifted to Los Angeles, refreshing the whodunit formula. Gomez’s evolution from podcaster to suspect deepened character arcs. Martin and Short’s banter sustained the show’s 95% Rotten Tomatoes score.

‘Severance’ Season 2 delved into corporate dystopia, with Scott’s Mark Scout embodying ethical dilemmas. Lower’s Helly Riggs challenged authority, earning Emmy adjacency. Tillman’s Mr. Milchick added bureaucratic menace.

The event coincides with awards momentum toward Oscars in March 2026. Golden Globes wins historically predict Academy nods, as seen with ‘Oppenheimer’ in 2024. Television categories, split into drama and comedy since 2011, highlight genre fluidity.

HFPA’s podcast category debuted nominees like ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ and ‘SmartLess’. Television’s expansion to 10 nominees per category broadens inclusivity. As voting concluded December 15, ‘The White Lotus’ cements Mike White’s anthology as a cultural staple.