The 2026 Writers Guild Awards were presented on Sunday evening in New York, celebrating the finest in screenwriting across film, television and digital media, per hollywoodreporter.com. In a ceremony marked by both celebration and industry tension, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners and Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another emerged as the night’s major victors.
Coogler’s Sinners secured the prize for Best Original Screenplay. Although the director was not present, star Miles Caton accepted the award, reading a heartfelt note from Coogler. Similarly, Shayna McHayle accepted the Best Adapted Screenplay trophy on behalf of Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another.
In the television categories, HBO’s medical drama The Pitt enjoyed a dominant night, winning Best Drama Series, Best New Series, and Best Episodic Drama. Apple TV’s The Studio was named Best Comedy Series, while FX/Hulu’s Dying for Sex triumphed in the Limited Series category.
Danny McBride, accepting the award for Best Episodic Comedy for The Righteous Gemstones, expressed his gratitude to the guild, noting he was “really glad” the team attended the ceremony despite the logistical hurdles facing the guild this year.
The 2026 awards were notably split. While the Writers Guild traditionally holds simultaneous events in New York and Los Angeles, the West Coast ceremony was cancelled due to an ongoing strike by the WGA West staff union, which began on February 17.
WGAW President Michele Mulroney explained that the cancellation aimed to provide nominees with an “uncomplicated celebration” without requiring guests to cross picket lines. Consequently, the New York event, hosted by Roy Wood Jr. at the Edison Ballroom, served as the primary gathering for the year’s winners.
Host Roy Wood Jr. used his opening monologue to touch upon the industry’s “corporate instability,” making light of his move to CNN amidst various media mergers. He also addressed the political climate, urging writers to continue creating “original content that challenges the human mind.”
Wood Jr. concluded the evening by highlighting the importance of storytelling in shaping national identity, stating, “We’re going to keep telling the truth and keep pushing.”
Special honours were also bestowed upon Stephen Colbert, who received the Walter Bernstein Award, and Terry George, who was recognised with the Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement.
