The 2026 NAACP Image Awards nominations were announced, with Peacock's Bel-Air topping the television categories with seven nods for its final season. Abbott Elementary, Reasonable Doubt and Ruth & Boaz each received six nominations. Fans can vote in select categories until February 7, ahead of the February 28 ceremony on BET and CBS.
Nominations for the 2026 NAACP Image Awards were revealed on January 12, marking a significant moment for television programming that highlights Black stories and talent. Peacock's Bel-Air, which concluded its fourth and final season on December 8, emerged as the leader in the TV field with seven nominations across various categories. This drama series, a modern reimagining of the classic Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, garnered recognition in areas such as outstanding drama series and acting nods for stars like Jabari Banks and Adrian Holmes.
Close behind were ABC's Abbott Elementary with six nominations, including outstanding comedy series and performances by Quinta Brunson and William Stanford Davis. Hulu's legal drama Reasonable Doubt also secured six nods, featuring Emayatzy Corinealdi and supporting actor Adrian Holmes. Netflix's Ruth & Boaz, described as a flick, matched this tally in the limited television category, with nominations for Tyler Lepley and Serayah.
The awards introduced two new categories this year: Outstanding Literary Work (Journalism), which honors nationally distributed journalism addressing Black community issues through lenses of racial equity and social justice; and Outstanding Editing in a Motion Picture or Television Series, Movie or Special, celebrating post-production work that enhances storytelling and emotional impact.
Voting for select categories opened immediately and closes on February 7 at midnight, allowing fans to influence outcomes via the official NAACP site. The ceremony itself is scheduled for February 28 at 8 pm ET/7 pm CT, broadcast on BET and CBS.
Television categories spanned comedy and drama series, limited series, news specials, talk shows, reality programs, and more. Notable nominees included Forest Whitaker for outstanding actor in a drama series for Godfather of Harlem, Angela Bassett for 9-1-1, and youth performances like Leah Sava Jeffries in Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The full list underscores a diverse slate of programming from networks like ABC, Netflix, Hulu, and Peacock, reflecting ongoing contributions to representation in media.
