In the 2026 Emmy Doc/Nonfiction races, rock climbing and celebrity profiles are “in” this year. Find out who else is in contention in these three key races.
The most thrilling Emmy categories this season are in Documentary/Nonfiction races — literally.
Between HBO’s The Dark Wizard in Documentary/Nonfiction Series and Skyscraper Live in the Special category, scaling mountains and buildings is hot this year.
Both projects are impressive, respectively. The Dark Wizard follows the life and death of rock climber Dean Potter, with spectacular footage and a compelling character study supported by interviews from his friends, including free climber Alex Honnold. Honnold, who was also the subject of the Academy Award-winning doc Free Solo, has his own Emmy Nonfiction Special contender in the form of Skyscraper Live, where he scaled Taipei 101 live on Netflix. (It’s quite the opposite of The Dark Wizard in that you learn virtually nothing about Alex Honnold and just watch him climb the world’s tallest building to the soundtrack of random commentators.)
Documentary/Nonfiction categories love a good spectacle. Look at past nominee 100 Foot Wave about surfer Garrett McNamara, which won in the series category last year. But voters also love a peek behind the curtain of athletes (Beckham, Simone Biles Rising, The Last Dance), true crime (Tiger King, The Jinx, Wild Wild Country), true crime with a celebrity twist (Leaving Neverland, We Need to Talk about Cosby, Dear Mama), and projects celebrating the earth (Our Planet).
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series 2026 Contenders
With The Dark Wizard leading the pack, if I had to pick four other series in this category, I think Rafa, the Netflix doc about tennis player Rafael Nadal, hits the net while also checking off the sports genre that so often appears in this category. The Yogurt Shop Murders is a devastating look at tragedy while also examining memory and false confession. It really takes its time and sits with grief, and the additional fifth episode, that reveals how investigators finally solved this cold case, closes a chapter on this story with bittersweet reflection. As far as celebrity fascination, Apple’s Mr. Scorsese scratches that itch, while Peacock’s High Horse: The Black Cowboy from producer Jordan Peele looks at the stolen history of the black cowboy. But what about Diddy? Since The Fall of Diddy failed to secure a nomination last year, one wonders if they’ll tune in for Sean Combs: The Reckoning (even though both are very good!).
The Dark Wizard
The Yogurt Shop Murders
Rafa
Mr. Scorsese
High Horse: The Black Cowboy
In contention:
Aka Charlie Sheen
Lost Women of Alaska
Twisted Yoga
Kylie
Trust Me: The False Prophet
Sean Combs: The Reckoning
Outstanding Documentary or NonFiction Special 2026 Emmy Contenders
This category is STACKED with celebrities. But who will win out? Look for icons of television to show up, including Mel Brooks, Stiller & Meara, and Being Eddie. Mariska Hargitay has been promoting the heck out of My Mom Jayne for more than a year now, so she could show up, too. And for that elusive final slot, Ocean with David Attenborough should take it, especially since he celebrated his 100th birthday this year. Nipping at their heels is Marty: A Short Life. Skyscraper Live could get in here for the impressive scale filmmakers took to capture Honnold’s ascent (It wasn’t just him who was endangering his life!).
Mel Brooks
My Mom Jayne
Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost
Being Eddie
Ocean with David Attenborough
In contention
Marty: A Short Life
Billy Joel: And So It Goes
Seen & Heard
Lilith Fair
#Skyking
Skyscraper Live
Disneyland Handcrafted
The Crash
Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special 2026 Contenders
In this category, voters tend to go for the same hosts, so look for the usual suspects, like Stanley Tucci (coming off The Devil Wears Prada 2), Jordan Klepper, David Letterman, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and Eugene Levy. Last year’s winner, Conan O’Brien, doesn’t have a new season of Conan Must Go this year, but if there’s any spoiler for these five, it’s Eric Dane, who passed away this year from ALS.
Tucci in Italy
MAGA: The Next Generation
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman
Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy
In contention
Famous Last Words Eric Dane
Limitless
Pole to Pole
Prehistoric Planet
The Dinosaurs
What am I missing? Let me know in the comments.
