Black Women Directors Are Making Emmy History In 2026—And Changing Who Gets To Shape Television

The milestone arrives as the television industry continues to grapple with questions of access, representation, and who gets the opportunity to move from performing in front of the camera to making creative decisions behind it.

Among this year’s nominees is Salli Richardson-Whitfield, who made Emmy history with two nominations for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series—one for HBO Max’s The Gilded Age and another for Task. She is joined in the drama directing category by Hanelle M. Culpepper, who was recognized for Hulu’s Paradise.