The Emmy Awards 2026 have just ended and gather some of the greatest stars and most popular television series of the 2025-2026 season. For the 78th edition of the Emmy Awards, actor MAriska Hargitay of Law & Order: SVU will be the host and the show will be hosted on 14 September 2026 in the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. The show aired live on NBC and via Peacock online.
Several big surprises and historic moments were revealed at this year’s Emmys. HBO Max’s The Pitt claimed the Drama award, and Apple TV’s widow’s BAy was the highest grosser in the TV awards show. Other winners of the night were pluribus, Hacks, The Traitors, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and DTF St. Louis.
Emmy Awards 2026: Key Details
| Category | Information |
| Outstanding Drama Series | The Pitt |
| Outstanding Comedy Series | Widoy’s Bay |
| Outstanding Limited/Anthology Series | DTF St. Louis |
| Lead Actor – Drama | Noah Wyle – The Pitt |
| Lead Actress – Drama | Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus |
| Lead Actor – Comedy | Matthew Rhys – Widow’s Bay |
| Lead Actress – Comedy | Jean Smart – Hacks |
| Lead Actor – Limited Series/Movie | Matthew Rhys – The Beast in Me |
| Lead Actress – Limited Series/Movie | Sally Field – Remarkably Bright Creatures |
| Supporting Actor – Drama | Tom Pelphrey – Task |
| Supporting Actress – Drama | Allison Janney – The Diplomat |
| Supporting Actor – Comedy | Stephen Root – Widow’s Bay |
| Supporting Actress – Comedy | Kate O’Flynn – Widow’s Bay |
| Reality Competition Program | The Traitors |
| Variety Series | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert |
| Directing – Drama | Saul Metzstein – Slow Horses |
| Directing – Comedy | Hiro Murai – Widow’s Bay |
| Writing – Drama | Vince Gilligan – Pluribus |
| Writing – Comedy | Katie Dippold – Widow’s Bay |
Emmy Awards 2026 Full Winners List
Here is the complete list of the 19 major categories presented during the Primetime Emmy telecast.
The Pitt is a great Drama Series
The Pitt took home the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series for its storytelling, acting and production at the 2026 Emmy Awards. The series continued to be a success on the Emmy circuit and again was one of the best dramas on television.
Grammy Award winning Comedy Series — Widow’s Bay
Widow’s Bay received the award for the best comedy series and was one of the best prize winners of the evening. The show received a positive response for its compelling story, it has an amazing cast and it has a hilarious delivery.
DTF St. Louis has been awarded the Outstanding Limited/Anthology Series award
Also the winners of the Outstanding Limited/Anthology Series awards were DTF St. Louis. It was a victory that recognized the interesting story line, the acting and the innovative production of a limited series that was one of the most memorable of the Emmy season.
Lead Actress – comedy – Alfie Kenny
The Pitt’s Noah Wyle has been nominated for the best lead actor in a drama series at the Emmy Awards . It was the doctor Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch who really took the spotlight at the event, as he portrayed the role of the doctor.
Lead Actress – Drama – Pluribus (Rhea Seehorn)
Pluribus won the Lead Actress in a Drama Series award for Rhea Seehorn. Her role as Carol Sturka stood out and helped her break onto the TV scene as one of the top TV performances of the year.
Best Actor – Comedy – Matthew Rhys (Widow’s Bay)
Matthew Rhys was awarded the best Lead Actor Comedy Series Award in Widow’s Bay. His work proved to be a key factor to the show’s success and aided in its string of Emmys wins.
Writer/Director – Jean Smart, Hacks
Jean Smart Picked up the Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Hacks. It also marked another notable TV success for her and another giant in her stellar Emmy career
The Beast in Me is a variation upon variations
The Beast in Me is an adaptation and expectation series. The Beast in Me was also the recipient of Matthew Rhy’s win for Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. He was in a pair of lead roles that night and had an amazing Emmy night and demonstrated the versatility of his acting career.
Sally Field was nominated for Lead Actress
Sally Field was named Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Remarkably Bright Creatures. Her acting as Tova Sullivan won her another big award and was one of the ceremony’s highlights.
Supporting Actor – Drama — Task, Tom Pelphrey
Task won the award for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Tom Pelphrey. He stood out from all the other nominees, who were very tough and highlighted the drama series.
The Diplomat’s Allison Janney stars as Women’s Power – Drama
That won Allison Janney for Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the Diplomat. She also picked up another Emmy win in her impressive list for winning the show, and remarked on her excellent work in the Netflix political drama.
Actor – Comedy – Stephen Root, Widow’s Bay
Stephen Root won an award for his performance as Supporting Actor in a comedy Series on Widow’s Bay. His work helped the show win an impressive number of Emmys, as well as a stellar cast
Best Supporting Actress – Comedy – Kate O’Flynn (Widow’s Bay)
Kate O’Flynn took home her award for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Widow’s Bay. She also was named one of the top comedy support players of the Emmy season.
New York Film Maker’s Show Awards Ceremony and Competition — The Traitors
But the traitors were on fire at the Emmys, going on to win this year’s Outstanding Reality Competition Program Award. A mix of strategy, drama and unpredictable competition has made it a hit reality show in this category.
TV variety show hosted by Stephen Colbert.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was awarded the Outstanding Variety Series. The programme was highlighted for its comedy; its interviews and its topical content; and its continued use in late night TV.
Funny how a drama director finds himself starring in a dramatic role.
It’s strange that a Drama Director can end up playing himself in a Drama. Slow Horses is nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and Saul Metzstein wins the award. The Television Academy honored his direction for the ambiance, pacing and visual storytelling in the episode.
It’s the tale of a couple of cats that’s purrlily unhappy.
Hiro Murai was awarded with the Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series award for his work on the comedy series Widow’s Bay. It was his creativity that helped the comedy to stand out and be successful at the 2026 Emmys.
Writing – Drama — Vince Gilligan, Pluribus
With the help and guidance of Vince Gilligan, Pluribus will get ready to make their music.
Vince Gillan nominated Pluribus for an Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. Gilligan was highly acclaimed for his television writing, character development and dramatic storytelling.
Writing – Comedy — Katie Dippold, Widow’s Bay
Katie Dippold recipient of Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series award for Widow’s Bay. One of the elements that contributed to the show’s humor, characters and its one-of-a-kind tone was her writing, which helped it become one of the creative winners in the 2026 Emmy Awards.
Final Thoughts
Emmy Awards 2026 was a night filled with historic moments, emotional triumphs, and unforgettable moments. Widow’s Bay once more proved the powerhouse while The Pitt were once more strong in the drama category. Matthew Rhys won two lead acting awards, Jean Smart continued her Emmy winning streak with her outstanding performance in Hacks and Michael J Fox was given a special Emmy for his humanitarian efforts. For the television enthusiasts, there was much to celebrate during the 78th Emmy Awards, as there were new records to beat, repeat winners and some new winners. The complete results also emphasize the competition these days among TV platforms, as some score some big wins, such as Apple TV, HBO Max, Netflix, Peacock, and more.
