“Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” Dominate 2026 Writers Guild Awards

The 78th annual Writers Guild of America (WGA) Awards were presented on Sunday, March 8, 2026, recognizing outstanding achievement in writing across film, television and other media. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners took home the award for Original Screenplay, while Paul Thomas Anderson was honored for Adapted Screenplay with One Battle After Another. Both films are strong contenders for the upcoming Academy Awards on March 15.

Key Winners

Sinners, written and directed by Ryan Coogler, secured the win for Original Screenplay. Miles Caton, a star of the film, accepted the award on Coogler’s behalf. One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and based on Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland, won for Adapted Screenplay. Shayna McHayle, a cast member of the film, accepted the award on Anderson’s behalf.

Television Awards

In the television categories, The Pitt was a major winner, receiving awards for Drama Series, New Series, and Episodic Drama. The Studio was recognized as the best Comedy Series. Dying for Sex earned the award for Limited Series.

Lifetime Achievement Honors

The WGA also presented several lifetime achievement awards. Stephen Colbert received the Walter Bernstein Award for critiquing the power elite through his late-night show, which will conclude in May. Terry George was honored with the Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement, presented by Don Cheadle. Diana Son received the Richard B. Jablow Award for Devoted Service to the Guild from last year’s recipient, Kathy McGee.

WGA West Ceremony Canceled Amid Staff Strike

This year’s WGA Awards were unique due to the cancellation of the West Coast ceremony. The cancellation stemmed from an ongoing strike by unionized staff against WGA West’s management, who were accused of “surveilled workers for union activity, terminated union supporters, and engaged in subpar faith surface bargaining.” The Los Angeles ceremony was originally planned to honor James Cameron with the Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement, Don Reo with the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement, and Mstyslav Chernov with the Paul Selvin Award for 2,000 Meters to Andriivka.

Full List of Winners

• Original Screenplay: Sinners, written by Ryan Coogler
• Adapted Screenplay: One Battle After Another, screenplay by Paul Thomas Anderson, screen story by Paul Thomas Anderson, inspired by the novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon
• Documentary Screenplay: 2,000 Meters to Andriivka, written by Mstyslav Chernov
• Drama Series: The Pitt, written by Cynthia Adarkwa, Simran Baidwan, Valerie Chu, R. Scott Gemmill, Elyssa Gershman, Joe Sachs, Noah Wyle
• Comedy Series: The Studio, written by Evan Goldberg, Alex Gregory, Peter Huyck, Frida Perez, Seth Rogen
• New Series: The Pitt, written by Cynthia Adarkwa, Simran Baidwan, Valerie Chu, R. Scott Gemmill, Elyssa Gershman, Joe Sachs, Noah Wyle
• Limited Series: Dying for Sex, written by Sheila Callaghan, Harris Danow, Madeleine George, Elizabeth Meriwether, Amelia Roper, Kim Rosenstock, Sasha Stewart, Sabrina Wu, Keisha Zollar
• TV & Streaming Motion Pictures: Deep Cover, written by Derek Connolly and Colin Trevorrow
• Animation: Shira Can’t Cook (“Long Story Short”), written by Mehar Sethi
• Episodic Drama: “7:00 A.M.” (“The Pitt”), written by R. Scott Gemmill
• Episodic Comedy: “Prelude” (“The Righteous Gemstones”), written by John Carcieri, Jeff Fradley, Danny R. McBride
• Comedy/Variety Series – Talk or Sketch: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, senior writers: Daniel O’Brien, Owen Parsons, Charlie Redd, Joanna Rothkopf, Seena Vali; writers: Johnathan Appel, Ali Barthwell, Tim Carvell, Liz Hynes, Ryan Ken, Sofía Manfredi, John Oliver, Taylor Kay Phillips, Chrissy Shackelford
• Comedy/Variety Specials: Marc Maron: Panicked, written by Marc Maron
• Quiz and Audience Participation: Celebrity Jeopardy!, head writer: Bobby Patton; writers: Kyle Beakley, Michael Davies, Terence Gray, Amy Ozols, Tim Siedell, David Levinson-Wilk
• Daytime Drama: The Young and the Restless, associate head writers: Jeff Beldner, Marla Kanelos, Dave Ryan; writers: Susan Banks, Amanda L. Beall, Marin Gazzaniga, Rebecca McCarty, Madeleine Phillips
• Children’s Episodic, Long Form and Specials: “When We Lose Someone” (“Tab Time”), written by Sean Presant
• Short Form Streaming: “The Rabbit Hole with Jimmy Kimmel,” writers: Jimmy Kimmel and Jesse Joyce
• Documentary Script — Current Events: “Trump’s Power & the Rule of Law” (“Frontline”), written by Michael Kirk and Mike Wiser
• Documentary Script — Other Than Current Events: “Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP” (“American Experience”), written by Rob Rapley
• News Script — Regularly Scheduled, Bulletin or Breaking Report: “Devastating Flooding in Texas” (“World News Tonight with David Muir”), written by David Muir, Karen Mooney and Dave Bloch
• News Script — Analysis, Feature or Commentary: “Remembering Palestinian Journalists Killed by Israeli Forces” (“Ayman”), written by Lisa Salinas
• Digital News: “An Isolated Boarding School Promised to Help Troubled Girls. Former Students Say They Were Abused.,” written by Sebastian Murdock and Taiyler Mitchell
• Radio/Audio Documentary: “Jerry Lewis’ Lost Holocaust Clown Movie” (“Decoder Ring”), written by Max Freedman
• Radio/Audio News Script — Regularly Scheduled, Bulletin or Breaking Report: “ABC News Radio Top of the Hour News”, written by Robert Hawley
• Radio/Audio News Script — Analysis, Feature or Commentary: “The Life and Legacy of Jimmy Carter,” written by Gail Lee
• On Air Promotion: “CBS Comedy,” written by Dan Greenberger