2026 WGA Awards: Nominees & Updates Amid Writers Guild Strike

The 2026 Writers Guild Awards are being presented tonight in New York City, but the celebration is unfolding under unusual circumstances. While the East Coast ceremony proceeds as planned at the Edison Ballroom with Roy Wood Jr. Hosting, the Los Angeles event has been canceled due to an ongoing strike by staff of the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW).

This year’s awards are shadowed by a labor dispute, as WGAW staff, represented by the Pacific Northwest Staff Union (PNWSU), have been on strike since February 17th, alleging unfair labor practices during their first contract negotiations. The Hollywood Reporter details the staff’s concerns, which prompted WGAW president Michele Mulroney to cancel the Los Angeles ceremony to avoid asking nominees, talent, and crew to cross a picket line.

Despite the disruption, the WGAE’s staff union, organized with the United Steelworkers, is not participating in the strike, allowing the New York ceremony to continue. Mulroney emphasized the desire to celebrate achievements without complicating matters for those involved.

Screenplay Nominees

Original Screenplay

The competition for Original Screenplay is fierce, with nominees including Black Bag, written by David Koepp (Focus Features); If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, penned by Mary Bronstein (A24); Marty Supreme, a collaboration between Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie (A24); Sinners, from Ryan Coogler (Warner Bros. Pictures); and Weapons, written by Zach Cregger (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Adapted Screenplay

The Adapted Screenplay category features Bugonia, adapted by Will Tracy from the film Save the Green Planet (Focus Features); Frankenstein, Guillermo del Toro’s grab on Mary Shelley’s classic (Netflix); Hamnet, co-written by Chloe Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell based on O’Farrell’s novel (Focus Features); One Battle After Another, inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland and penned by Paul Thomas Anderson (Warner Bros. Pictures); and Train Dreams, adapted by Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar from Denis Johnson’s novella (Netflix).

Notably, both Marty Supreme and Sinners also received nominations for Best Original Screenplay at the 2026 Oscars, demonstrating their critical acclaim. The Adapted Screenplay nominees align exactly with those recognized by the Academy Awards.

Documentary Screenplay

The Documentary Screenplay category showcases 2,000 Meters to Andriivka, written by Mstyslav Chernov (Frontline Features); Becoming Led Zeppelin, by Bernard MacMahon & Allison McGourty (Sony Pictures Classics); and White with Fear, penned by Andrew Goldberg (Area23A).

Television, Streaming and News Nominees

Drama Series

In the Drama Series field, Andor (Disney+), The Pitt (HBO | Max), Pluribus (Apple TV), Severance (Apple TV), and The White Lotus (HBO | Max) are vying for the top prize.

Comedy Series

The Comedy Series nominees include Abbott Elementary (ABC), The Chair Company (HBO | Max), Hacks (HBO | Max), The Rehearsal (HBO | Max), and The Studio (Apple TV).

New Series

The New Series category recognizes The Chair Company (HBO | Max), The Pitt (HBO | Max) – which has already been announced as a winner, Pluribus (Apple TV), The Studio (Apple TV), and Task (HBO | Max).

Limited Series

Competing for Limited Series are The Beast in Me (Netflix), Black Rabbit (Netflix), Death by Lightning (Netflix), Dying for Sex (FX/Hulu), and Sirens (Netflix).

TV & Streaming Motion Pictures

The nominees for TV & Streaming Motion Pictures are The Best You Can (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment), Deep Cover (Prime Video), The Life List (Netflix), and Swiped (Hulu).

Special Recognition

Beyond the competitive awards, the WGA will honor several individuals for their contributions to the craft. Stephen Colbert will receive the Walter Bernstein Award, presented by Robert Smigel. Terry George will be honored with the Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement, presented by Don Cheadle. And Diana Son (Law & Order) will receive the Richard B. Jablow Award for devoted service to the guild.

The awards ceremony in New York represents a continued effort to recognize writers’ work despite the internal challenges facing the WGAW. The cancellation of the Los Angeles event underscores the seriousness of the staff strike and its impact on industry events. As the strike continues, the focus remains on reaching a fair resolution for the WGAW staff and ensuring the celebration of writers’ achievements can proceed without disruption in the future.

Further updates on the WGAW strike and the ongoing awards ceremony can be found at Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter.