From Noah Wyle To Jean Smart, Here Are 2026's Emmy Winners In Their First Roles

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1. Noah Wyle

First notable role: Dr. John Carter in ER (1994)

2026 Emmy-Winning Role: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Dr. Michael Robinavitch in The Pitt.

2. Jean Smart

First notable role: Joan Reynolds in Reggie (1983)

2026 Emmy-winning role: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Deborah Vance in Hacks.

3. Matthew Rhys

First notable role: Kevin Walker in Brothers and Sisters (2006)

2026 Emmy-winning role: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Tom Loftis in Widow's Bay ~and~  Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for his role as Nile Jarvis in The Beast in Me.

4. Allison Janney

First notable role: Ms. Perky in 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

2026 Emmy-winning role: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Grace Penn in The Diplomat.

5. Linda Cardellini

First notable role: Lindsay Weir in Freaks and Geeks (1999)

2026 Emmy-winning role: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her role as Carol Love-Smernitch in DTF St. Louis.

6. Tom Pelphrey

First notable role: Jonathon Randall in Guiding Light (2003)

2026 Emmy-winning role: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Robbie Prendergrast in Task.

7. Sally Field

First notable role: Gidget in Gidget (1965) (Not to be confused with the 1959 film by the same name, starring Sandra Dee)

2026 Emmy-winning role: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her role as Tova Sullivan in Remarkably Bright Creatures.

8. Rhea Seehorn

First notable role: Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul (2015)

2026 Emmy-winning role: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Carol Sturka in Pluribus.

9. Kate O'Flynn

First notable role: Suzy in Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)

2026 Emmy-winning role: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Patricia Moyer in Widow's Bay.

10. Stephen Root

First notable role: Jimmy James in NewsRadio (1995)

2026 Emmy-winning role: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Wyck in Widow's Bay.

11. David Harbour

First notable role: Gregg Beam in Quantum of Solace (2008)

2026 Emmy-winning role: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for his role as Floyd Smernitch in DTF St. Louis.

Did your favorites win this year? Let me know in the comments below!

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