Gotham TV Awards Winners 2026
The Industry was invited to attend The Gotham TV Awards.
Thank you very much to the team at Gotham, Reggie Dvorin, Colin Whitlow, and Kia Brooks, for inviting us. The ceremony was a celebration of the best shows of the year, honoring both newcomers and well-established showrunners.
All in all, HBO took 5 awards. Netflix took 3. Apple, Hulu, and FX each took 1.
Summary of the Night
I had a great chat with Richard Gadd (who’s haunting in HBO’s Half Man) about how his ability to dig into his personal hardships in Baby Reindeer was inspiring for me as a filmmaker. I also reconnected with the creator of Adolescence and Lord of the Flies, whom I interviewed last month, and we discussed how to speak like an intellectual without sounding like an asshole. And to top it off, I met many of the Pluribus cast, whom I commended on their work.
But the highlight of the night was Rhea Seehorn (star: Apple TV+’s Pluribus) taking the stage in a lovable manic frenzy where she declared wine had been spilled on her and that her “resting heart rate is just awkward nervousness” before centering herself and declaring:
“It’s truly special to receive this honor that is about innovative storytelling and indie storytelling, because everyone would agree Vince Gilligan is a champion to that, a loyalist to that.”
That’s a great way to center the event. Not many TV awards ceremonies or events take place in NYC, but there’s a gravitas to reminding everyone that TV, at its best, is a filmmaker’s medium that takes true grit.
And then there were goofier moments like Michelle Pfeiffer accepting her Legend Tribute award:
Later, Pfeiffer flipped the script by later sharing a resonant tidbit of wisdom:
“When you stop being scared it’s time to pack it in.”
She continues to take on daring, interesting projects with Apple TV+’s Margo’s Got Money Trouble.
Thank you so much to The Gotham. It was a fantastic evening, with the wildest moment being Greg Kinnear introducing Pfeiffer by referencing the Bruno Mars song.
2026 Top Winner:
Best Breakthrough Limited Series
DTF St. Louis (HBO) was the only series to win two awards:
Best Breakthrough Limited Series (creator: Steve Conrad)
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Limited Series (David Harbour)
Synopsis:
A darkly comedic tale of three middle-aged individuals entangled in a love triangle, leading to one's untimely demise.
Harbour said he loves acting, but not as much as Claire Danes does.
2026 Winners
Best Breakthrough Drama Series
Pluribus (Apple TV)
Star: Rhea Seehorn
Creator: Vince Gilligan
Synopsis:
In a world overtaken by a mysterious wave of forced happiness, Carol Sturka, one of the immune few, must uncover what's really going on - and save humanity from its artificial bliss.
This is well deserved. The show is philosophically bombastic yet visually sterile.
Best Breakthrough Comedy Series
I Love LA (HBO)
Star: Rachel Sennott, Odessa A'zion, Jordan Firstman
Creator: Rachel Sennott
Synopsis:
A tight-knit friend group gathers after years apart, navigating the complexities of ambition, relationships and how time has changed them.
A’zion quipped:
We’re so Goth right now.
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy Series
Tim Robinson – The Chair Company (HBO Max)
Synopsis:
Tim Robinson stars as Ron, a family man who investigates a conspiracy after an embarrassing incident at work.
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series
Chase Infiniti – The Testaments (Hulu)
Synopsis:
This sequel to "The Handmaid's Tale" follows Agnes and Daisy, two teens in Gilead who must navigate an elite preparatory school where obedience is brutally enforced. Their bond becomes the catalyst that will transform their lives.
Outstanding Original Film, Broadcast or Streaming
Reflection in a Dead Diamond (Shudder)
Directors: Hélène Cattet, Bruno Forzani
Synopsis:
A retired spy suspects his former adversaries have resurfaced when his intriguing neighbor vanishes.
Trailer.
Outstanding Performance in an Original Film
Cory Michael Smith – Mountainhead (HBO)
Synopsis:
Four billionaire tech bro friends reunite during worldwide economic turmoil.
Smith is sensational, as his entire mode of being, impervious to the outside world, is put through an emotional cheese grater.
Most powerful moment at The Gotham? Shawn Levy’s tribute to the Duffer Brothers about staying true to your creative vision.
Most genuine moment? Claire Danes describes how excited she was to get Patrick Swayze’s autograph.
The event was amazing, and thank you to The Gotham for inviting The Industry.
Full list of winners here.