The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has announced the recipients of the eighth annual AAFCA TV Honors.
Among the top winners are ABC’s Abbott Elementary, which will be awarded for best ensemble and best writing; FX’s Love Story, which won for best limited series and best directing (drama) by Crystle Roberson Dorsey; and Hulu’s Paradise, named best drama, with lead Sterling K. Brown being recognized as best actor. Rounding out the series category is Shrinking, which won best comedy.
“The best television doesn’t simply entertain; it forces us to talk to one another and look closely at the world outside our own living rooms,” AAFCA president and co-founder Gil Robertson said in a press release. “This year’s winners represent the incredible depth and creative ambition driving our industry forward. Across every genre, these artists are telling bold, culturally rich stories that completely redefine what the medium can do. We are proud to celebrate the visionaries who are not only captivating audiences but making sure our communities are seen, heard and remembered.”
Building on its recognition of achievement in television and streaming, this year AAFCA introduced two new categories, best reality series and best podcast, in acknowledgment of “the expanding landscape of entertainment storytelling.” The inaugural recipients are OWN‘s Love & Marriage: Huntsville and Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson’s All the Smoke podcast.
Winners of AAFCA’s 2026 TV Honors will be celebrated at an invitation-only ceremony taking place on Aug. 8 at City Club Los Angeles. Previously announced special achievement honorees include The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins star Tracy Morgan, who’ll receive the Flip Wilson Award; Starz president of original programming Kathryn Busby, who’ll be presented with the TV Vanguard Award; Emmy-nominated screenwriter Celeste Hughey, who’ll receive the Impact Award; Sony Pictures senior vp, Lamar Chase, who’s been named the recipient of the Impact Award; and screenwriter, producer and director Felicia Pride, who’ll be presented with the Salute to Excellence Award.
See the full list of winners, along with the 2026 AACFA TV Top 10 list below.
8th Annual AAFCA TV Honors Winners
- Best Drama – Paradise (Hulu)
- Best Comedy – Shrinking (Apple TV)
- Best Limited Series – Love Story (FX/Hulu)
- Best Actor – Sterling K. Brown, Paradise (Hulu)
- Best Actress – Jurnee Smollett, Smoke (Apple TV)
- Best Supporting Actress – Erika Alexander, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins (NBC)
- Best Supporting Actor – Lamorne Morris, Spider-Noir (MGM+)
- Best Ensemble – Abbott Elementary (ABC)
- Best Directing (Drama) – Crystle Roberson Dorsey, Love Story (FX/Hulu)
- Best Directing (Comedy) – Anthony Hemingway, All’s Fair (Hulu)
- Best Documentary – Sean Combs: The Reckoning (Netflix)
- Best Writing – Abbott Elementary (ABC)
- Best Music – Kris Bowers, Spider-Noir (MGM+)
- Best Breakout Performance – Aaron Moten, Fallout (Prime Video)
- Best Reality Series – Love & Marriage: Huntsville (OWN)
- Best Podcast – All the Smoke with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson
2026 AAFCA Top 10 Television Programs
- Paradise (Hulu)
- The Pitt (HBO Max)
- Shrinking (Apple TV)
- The Madison (Paramount+)
- Abbott Elementary (ABC)
- The Chi (Paramount+ with Showtime)
- Matlock (CBS)
- The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins (NBC)
- Beef (Netflix)
- The ’Burbs (Peacock)
