The Emmy Awards 2026 are here. The 78th Primetime Emmys are happening at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Mariska Hargitay is hosting. First woman to host in 15 years. The Pitt leads with 25 nominations. Hacks has 24. Widow's Bay has 19.

The red carpet is already full of big looks. Zendaya, Nicole Kidman, Selena Gomez. The predictions say The Pitt will win big. Hacks might take its final bow with a trophy. It is TV's biggest night everyone is watching.

Emmy Awards 2026 Host: Mariska Hargitay Makes History

Mariska Hargitay hosted the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. She is the first woman to host the ceremony in 15 years, since Jane Lynch in 2011 . Hargitay is best known for playing Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, the longest-running prime-time live-action character of all time .

Her opening monologue was a highlight. She joked about her first job at a Los Angeles bookstore called Book Soup and asked celebrities about their first jobs . The hosting choice signaled a departure from the traditional comedian-led format .

The Big Winners: The Pitt and Widow's Bay

The Pitt won Outstanding Drama Series for the second consecutive year . The HBO Max medical drama led all shows with 25 nominations. Noah Wyle won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Dr. Michael Robinavitch, his second consecutive win in the category .

• Widow's Bay was the night's biggest surprise. The Apple TV horror-comedy won Outstanding Comedy Series and took home 14 Emmys total, including eight from the Creative Arts ceremonies . 
• Matthew Rhys won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as the mayor of a haunted New England island . 
• Stephen Root and Kate O'Flynn also won supporting and guest acting awards for the show .

Jean Smart Makes Emmy History

Jean Smart won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Hacks . This was her fifth consecutive win in the category and her eighth career Emmy overall. She is now tied with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Cloris Leachman, and Allison Janney for the most acting Emmy victories by a performer . She also became the first performer to win an acting Emmy for every season of a show .

Other Major Winners

• Rhea Seehorn won her first Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Pluribus . In her speech, she honored Gloria Steinem, who died earlier this month, quoting her words: "We are linked, not ranked" .
• Matthew Rhys had a historic night. He won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for The Beast in Me. This made him the first performer to win lead acting Emmys across all three genres—drama, comedy, and limited series .
• Allison Janney won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for The Diplomat. She appeared visibly shocked by her win, her eighth career Emmy .
• Tom Pelphrey won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Task .
• The Traitors won Outstanding Reality Competition Program. Alan Cumming used his speech to urge Americans to register to vote .

Emmy Awards 2026 Red Carpet: The Best Looks

The Emmy Awards 2026 red carpet was held on a striking blue carpet instead of the traditional red . Stars brought bold fashion choices.

• Zendaya wore a custom silver sequined Prada gown with a deep V-neckline, accessorized with Mikimoto jewellery, a Rolex watch, and a fresh pixie cut . She was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for the final season of Euphoria .
• Colman Domingo wore a colorful custom Valentino ensemble with a jewel-toned cummerbund and a Boucheron brooch. A photographer was heard exclaiming, "Holy moly, always comes correct" .
• Ayo Edebiri wore a periwinkle blue Chanel tea-length confection with an outsized red bow .
• Elle Fanning wore a jade green Ralph Lauren slip dress with an asymmetrical fringed train and low back .
• Mariska Hargitay stunned in a custom off-the-shoulder red liquid sequin dress by Monse .
• Selena Gomez wore a gold chainmail Louis Vuitton dress with Tiffany & Co. jewels .
• Florence Pugh arrived in a shimmering lilac gown with a statement necklace and a sleek high bun .

Primetime Emmy Awards Nominees: The Full Picture

The Pitt led with 25 nominations, followed by Hacks with 24 . Widow's Bay had 19, and Pluribus had 18 .

• Outstanding Drama Series nominees included The Diplomat, The Gilded Age, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Paradise, The Pitt, Pluribus, Slow Horses, and Your Friends & Neighbors .
• Outstanding Comedy Series nominees included Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Hacks, Margo's Got Money Troubles, Nobody Wants This, Only Murders in the Building, Shrinking, and Widow's Bay .
• Harrison Ford received his first Emmy nomination at 84 for Shrinking . David Attenborough became the oldest Emmy nominee in history at 100 .

Special Tributes and Moments

The ceremony featured special tributes to Buffy the Vampire Slayer for its 30th anniversary, with Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz reuniting as presenters . 

Charlie's Angels was honored for its 50th anniversary, with Kate Jackson, Cheryl Ladd, and Jaclyn Smith reuniting . A special tribute was also given to Dolly Parton, who passed away earlier this month .

Final Word

The Emmy Awards 2026 was a night of history and surprises. The Pitt continued its dominance. Widow's Bay proved that new shows can crash the party. Jean Smart cemented her legacy. And Mariska Hargitay showed that a first-time host can deliver.

The Emmy Awards 2026 predictions were mostly right about The Pitt, but Widow's Bay's comedy win was the night's biggest shock. The Emmy award red carpet 2026 gave us memorable fashion moments, and the Red carpet 2026 emmys will be talked about for weeks. The Primetime Emmy Awards nominees were celebrated, but only a few went home with gold. That is the nature of TV's biggest night.

FAQs

1. When are the Emmy Awards 2026?

Monday, September 14. 8 PM ET in the US. NBC. Peacock. India gets it Tuesday, September 15. Red carpet 4:30 AM IST. Ceremony 5:30 AM IST. JioHotstar.

2. Who is hosting?

Mariska Hargitay. Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU. First time hosting. First woman since Jane Lynch in 2011. Already won two Emmys this September. For her documentary My Mom Jayne.

3. Which shows have the most nominations?

The Pitt has 25. Hacks has 24. Record for a comedy. Widow's Bay has 19. Pluribus has 18. The Pitt is defending champion for Drama Series.

4. Who will win?

The Pitt for Drama Series. 95% chance. Noah Wyle for Lead Actor. 94% chance. Widow's Bay for Comedy Series. 82% chance. Hacks could upset for its final season. Rhea Seehorn for Lead Actress in a Drama.

5. Best red carpet looks?

Zendaya in semi-sheer Prada. Nicole Kidman in Chanel. Selena Gomez in Louis Vuitton. Mariska Hargitay in off-shoulder red. Florence Pugh in shimmering lilac. Lots of black. Lots of shimmer.