The 78th Writers Guild Awards took place last night, March 8, 2026, under a unique and somber cloud. While the East Coast ceremony moved forward at New York’s Edison Ballroom with host Roy Wood Jr., the traditional Los Angeles gala was cancelled due to the ongoing WGA West staff union strike. High-profile winners like Ryan Coogler and Paul Thomas Anderson maintained their momentum heading into Oscar week, while a new crop of television titans established their dominance on the small screen.
Original Screenplay: Sinners
Ryan Coogler’s supernatural horror-thriller Sinners continued its relentless march through awards season by taking home the night’s top film honor. The script was praised for blending genre thrills with a deep, character-driven exploration of morality. Star Miles Caton accepted the trophy on Coogler’s behalf, emphasizing how the writer-director’s vision pushed the boundaries of what a mainstream thriller can achieve.
Adapted Screenplay: One Battle After Another
In what many consider the tightest race of the season, Paul Thomas Anderson secured the Adapted Screenplay win for One Battle After Another. Based on Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland, the script was lauded for its ability to translate Pynchon’s notoriously “unfilmable” prose into a coherent and moving cinematic experience. Shayna McHayle accepted the award for Anderson, marking a significant victory just days before the Academy Awards.
Drama Series: The Pitt
The medical drama The Pitt emerged as the night’s biggest winner in the television categories. The HBO series, which follows the high-stakes world of a modern-day Pittsburgh hospital, won the top Drama Series prize. The writing team, led by R. Scott Gemmill and featuring Noah Wyle, was recognized for bringing a gritty, realistic edge back to the medical procedural genre.
Comedy Series: The Studio
Apple TV+’s Hollywood satire The Studio claimed the prize for Comedy Series, beating out tough competition from veteran sitcoms. The writing staff, which includes Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen, was honored for their sharp, often biting look at the inner workings of the modern entertainment industry. The win cements the show as a critical darling and a favorite among industry insiders.
New Series: The Pitt
In a rare double-dip, The Pitt also walked away with the award for Best New Series. Winning both the premier Drama and New Series categories highlights the immediate impact the show has had on the cultural landscape. The Guild noted the series’ exceptional pilot and its ability to establish a complex, lived-in world within its very first season.
Limited Series: Dying for S*x
FX/Hulu’s Dying for Sex won the award for Limited Series, rewarding a writing team that includes Elizabeth Meriwether and Sheila Callaghan. Based on the popular podcast, the script was praised for its balance of humor and heart-wrenching honesty regarding terminal illness and human connection. It remains a standout in a year crowded with high-quality limited content.
Episodic Drama: “7:00 A.M.” (The Pitt)
The “7:00 A.M.” episode of The Pitt, written by R. Scott Gemmill, completed the show’s hat-trick by winning for Episodic Drama. The episode was a masterclass in tension, following a single hour in the emergency room in real-time. This win further proves that The Pitt is currently the gold standard for dramatic writing on television.
Comedy/Variety Talk Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Continuing its unprecedented streak, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver once again took home the trophy for Comedy/Variety Talk Series. The writing staff’s ability to turn complex legislative and social issues into digestible, hilarious deep dives remains unmatched in the late-night landscape, ensuring their perennial favorite status at the WGA.
Documentary Screenplay: 2,000 Meters to Andriivka
Mstyslav Chernov’s 2,000 Meters to Andriivka won the Documentary Screenplay award, continuing its streak after a historic win at the Actor Awards earlier this month. The script was recognized for its visceral, first-person account of conflict, providing a narrative structure to real-world events that felt both urgent and timeless.