‘Paradise’ & ‘Shrinking’ Lead 2026 AAFCA TV Honors

The African-American Film Critics Association on Wednesday named Hulu’s Paradise and Shrinking as named the respective Best Drama and Comedy Series at its 2026 AAFCA TV Honors. It’s the second consecutive year that Dan Fogelman’s post-apocalyptic thriller starring Sterling K. Brown and Shailene Woodley has won the top drama prize.

Brown also defended his AAFCA title as Best Actor for Paradise as Jurnee Smollett earned Best Actress for Apple TV’s Smoke. ABC’s Abbott Elementary took the Best Ensemble Prize, and FX/Hulu’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette was named Best Limited Series. See the full list below.

The AAFCA TV Honors added a pair of new categories this year. OWN’s Love & Marriage: Huntsville took Best Reality Series, and All the Smoke with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson was named Best Podcast.

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“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 statement. “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.”

The critics group’s previously announced 2026 Special Achievement honorees are Tracy Morgan (Flip Wilson Award), Kathryn Busby (TV Vanguard Award), Celeste Hughey (Impact Award), Lamar Chase (Horizon Award) and Felicia Pride (Salute to Excellence Award).

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Here are the winners of the 2026 AAFCA TV Honors — which will be presented during the group’s invite-only celebration on August 8 at City Club LA in downtown Los Angeles — followed by its list of the year’s top TV programs:

Best Drama

Paradise (Hulu)

Best Comedy

Shrinking (Apple TV)

Best Limited Series

Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette (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)