The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics (GALECA) recently concluded its 18th annual Dorian TV Awards, marking a monumental evening for queer representation in television. This year’s ceremony proved that the landscape of prestige television is becoming increasingly inclusive, with both Heated Rivalry and the concluding season of Hacks dominating the conversation by securing four accolades each.
A Masterclass in Storytelling
The critical darling Heated Rivalry solidified its status as a powerhouse by claiming the coveted Best LGBTQ TV Show title, alongside the award for Best TV Drama. The production’s creative vision was further celebrated as François Arnaud received recognition for his supporting performance, while show creator Jacob Tierney was honored with the GALECA LGBTQIA+ TV Trailblazer award.
Parallel to this, the final chapter of the comedy juggernaut Hacks proved that finales can indeed resonate with both audiences and critics alike. The series walked away with top honors for Best TV Comedy and Best Written TV Show. Lead stars Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder were also individually recognized for their contributions to the series, highlighting the deep emotional impact of their performances in the show’s swan song.
Celebrating Legends and Visionaries
Beyond the scripted series, the ceremony paid homage to industry stalwarts. Lisa Kudrow was bestowed with the prestigious GALECA TV Icon Award, a tribute to her remarkable work on the final installment of The Comeback.
Gerrick Kennedy, Vice President of GALECA and this year’s awards chair, expressed his enthusiasm regarding the diversity of the winners. “What excites me most about this year’s Dorian winners is the range—the swooning devotion of Heated Rivalry, the tender complexity of The Boyfriend, the bravery that cuts through Half Man, and the community memory being kept alive in Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery,” Kennedy noted. “To think, queer stories once needed to squeeze into a narrow lens to get made. There is always room for progress, but this year’s winners prove our community’s stories are as varied and worth telling as any other.”
Network Dominance and Broad Recognition
While HBO Max led the pack with an impressive 10 total wins, Apple TV emerged as a formidable contender with five awards—largely driven by the success of Pluribus and Widow’s Bay—while Netflix maintained a strong presence with four wins. Other notable mentions included Half Man, which secured the Best TV Movie or Limited Series trophy.
Full List of 2026 Dorian TV Award Winners
- Best TV Drama: Heated Rivalry (HBO Max)
- Best TV Comedy: Hacks (HBO Max)
- Best LGBTQ TV Show: Heated Rivalry (HBO Max)
- Best TV Movie or Limited Series: Half Man (HBO Max)
- Best Non-English Language TV Show: Squid Game (Netflix)
- Best LGBTQ Non-English Language TV Show: The Boyfriend (Netflix)
- Best Written TV Show: Hacks (HBO Max)
- Best TV Performance — Drama: Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus (Apple TV)
- Best Supporting TV Performance — Drama: François Arnaud, Heated Rivalry (HBO Max)
- Best TV Performance — Comedy: Jean Smart, Hacks (HBO Max)
- Best Supporting TV Performance — Comedy: Kate O’Flynn, Widow’s Bay (Apple TV)
- Best TV Musical Performance: Bad Bunny, The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show
- Best Unsung TV Show: Boots (Netflix)
- Best Current Affairs Show: The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS)
- Best TV Performance — Comedy: Mr. Scorsese (Apple TV)
- Best LGBTQ TV Documentary or Documentary Series: Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery (Hulu)
- Best Genre TV Show: Widow’s Bay (Apple TV)
- Best Reality Show: The Traitors (Peacock)
- Best Animated Show: South Park (Paramount+)
- Most Visually Striking TV Show (Tie): Alien: Earth (FX/Hulu) and Pluribus (Apple TV)
- Campiest TV Show: The Hunting Wives (Netflix)
- Wilde Wit Award: Hannah Einbinder
- Galeca TV Icon Award: Lisa Kudrow
- Galeca LGBTQIA+ TV Trailblazer: Jacob Tierney
