As with the surplus of movies that are released every year, TV is more often than not doubled and impossible to keep up with. The Emmy Awards are often a great place to gauge whether something might be right for you, but additionally, so are the Golden Globes, as they sometimes include the shows that miss the cutoff. Personally, this last year hasn't been a favorite for me where movies are concerned, but TV is on another level with dramas, comedies, and limited series all delivering excellent content in spades.
If you're looking for the next best thing to start, we've got you covered with the 2026 Golden Globe-nominated TV shows, as well as where you can stream them on Netflix, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Hulu, and more.
Best Television Series - Drama
- The Diplomat (Netflix)
- Pluribus (Apple TV+)
- Severance (Apple TV+)
- Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
- The Pitt (HBO Max)
- The White Lotus (HBO Max)
Severance (2022-Present)
More than any other genre, dramas are stacked with excellent shows this year. (Also, let's informally add The Bear's "comedy" nomination here, too, because we all know it's where it belongs.) Though ultimately, nothing tops Severance's long-anticipated sophomore season. It's not only better than its debut, but it also brilliantly focuses on character development and expertly balanced narratives that provide entertainment and much to think about on a deeper level, relating to grief, human connections, and the choices characters are forced to grapple with.
It's not only visually stunning, but the performances are also some of the best on TV right now, with its seventh episode, "Chikhai Bardo," being the single greatest flashback I've seen in years. Seriously, all the awards for Jessica Lee Gagné for an accomplishment that's truly indescribable no matter how long you sit with it. Perfect for anyone who wants mind-bending plot twists with grounded and achingly realistic character arcs, Severance is the best drama on TV right now.
The Pitt (2025-Present)
Despite its obvious connection to ER (1994) with Noah Wyle's leading role, The Pitt is unlike any other medical drama and is in a league of its own. With a unique pacing decision that allows the entire season to take place during one emergency room shift, it not only delivers one catastrophic emergency after another, but it also manages to find quiet beats in between to give us chances to get to know the doctors we're meant to care for.
As someone who generally can't stomach medical dramas in any capacity, The Pitt is a unicorn of sorts in how it manages to not only lock me in but somehow make everything palatable. It's especially relevant to the real world and addresses matters that we need on our screens more often. Full of gripping performances left and right with some intriguing character dynamics blooming amid the emergencies, The Pitt is a must-watch for anyone who wants something that's both heavily plot-driven and centers the characters in a unique way.
Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy
- Abbott Elementary (ABC)
- The Bear (FX)
- Hacks (HBO Max)
- Nobody Wants This (Netflix)
- Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
- The Studio (Apple TV+)
Abbott Elementary (2021-Present)
For five seasons now, Abbott Elementary continues to deliver non-stop entertainment while simultaneously healing the kid in me who hated school. It's the closest mockumentary we have to the positivity and comfort that came from Parks and Recreation (2009), and with every season, Quinta Brunson and the whole cast prove that they're only capable of getting better and better. Truly, there's not a dull moment, and that's an amazing achievement on its own.
It's been especially riveting during the back half of Season 4 and the start of Season 5 for the romance fans, as Janine and Gregory's slow-burn friends-to-lovers arc becoming canon is a bonus that makes everything sweeter. Crossing every milestone with them is a gift that keeps on giving, and how sitcoms often explore romantic relationships is a strength we don't talk about nearly as much as we should. If you want something lighthearted that'll simultaneously hit you with profound emotions, Abbott Elementary is the show to consider.
The Studio (2025-Present)
It's hard to imagine an awards season where The Studio centers an episode around the Golden Globes and gets snubbed, so I'm really hoping they actually win and, more importantly, that they each thank Sal Saperstein when they do. And if you're confused reading this, then here's your cue to watch it immediately, because if you've ever wanted insight into how a movie is made, The Studio is the show for you. Bold and wildly hilarious, the show calls out so much of what happens behind the scenes in Hollywood that it's legitimately shocking it was even made.
Yet, that's exactly what makes it such a unique and compelling comedy because it feels especially relevant in our market when everyone's wondering why we constantly get remakes and reboots. The sea of guest stars and original characters is each so entertaining that the show is a triumph in storytelling for its on-the-nose humor. And again, the Golden Globes episode alone is a gift in and of itself.
Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television
- Adolescence (Netflix)
- All Her Fault (Peacock)
- Black Mirror (Netflix)
- Dying For Sex (FX)
- The Beast in Me (Netflix)
- The Girlfriend (Prime Video)
All Her Fault (2025)
Because limited series have a specific set of episodes to tell a whole story, they generally don't get the leg room to deliver an "okay" pilot—they have to lasso the audience's attention immediately, and like Adolescence, which is also nominated, no show grips you quite as intensely as All Her Fault. Within a few minutes, you're locked in and ready to binge the whole thing. But the best part lies in its compelling and earned ending—something that's both seamless to catch if you're paying attention, yet so well executed that you're also shocked beyond measure.
Sarah Snook comes back strong after her incredible performance in Succession (2018) to prove that there's absolutely no role she can't take on. The entire cast is full of greats all around, but really, Snook is so unbeatable that it's a must for those who are already fans of her. If you want a riveting and bold mystery that'll keep you on the edge of your seat with a ton of emotions at every turn, All Your Fault is the one to turn to.
