Emmy Awards 2026: Winners, Records and Biggest Moments

The 78th Emmy Awards ceremony took place on September 14, 2026, in Los Angeles and honored the season’s top television favorites. For the second year in a row, *The Pitt* was named Best Drama Series; *Widow’s Bay* won in the comedy category; and *DTF St. Louis* took home the top prize for Miniseries. The ceremony was also marked by record-breaking performances by Jean Smart and Matthew Rhys, high-profile comebacks, and several historic achievements.

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2026 Emmys: Where and How the Ceremony Took Place

The 78th Emmy Awards ceremony took place on September 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles. Awards were presented for television projects and individual achievements from the 2025–2026 season. The main ceremony was broadcast on NBC and Peacock, and was hosted by actress, director, and producer Mariska Hargitay, best known for the series *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*.

Hargitay became the first woman in 15 years to host the Emmy Awards solo. The ceremony also coincided with NBC’s 100th anniversary, so the show featured many references to the history of American television. Among them were special segments celebrating the 30th anniversary of *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* and the 50th anniversary of *Charlie’s Angels*.

The 2026 Emmy Awards actually spanned three evenings—September 5, 6, and 14. During the two Creative Arts Emmy ceremonies, primarily technical and specialized awards were presented, while the final televised ceremony covered 19 major categories. It was on September 14 that the winners were announced for Best Drama, Comedy, and Limited Series, as well as the major acting, directing, and writing categories.

In a previous article, we covered the 2026 Oscar winners: a complete list of winners and highlights from the ceremony.

Complete List of 2026 Emmy Award Winners

At the main ceremony for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, awards were presented in 19 major categories. Widow’s Bay took home the most statuettes that evening—six in total, including the award for Best Comedy Series. *The Pitt* was named Best Drama Series for the second year in a row, while *DTF St. Louis* won in the miniseries and anthology category.

Best Series and Shows

Best Drama Series: *The Pitt*

Best Comedy Series: *Widow’s Bay*

Best Miniseries or Anthology: *DTF St. Louis*

Best Competition Reality Show: The Traitors

Best Variety Show: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Acting Awards in Drama Series

Best Actor: Noah Wyle — The Pitt

Best Actress: Rhea Seehorn — Pluribus

Best Supporting Actor: Tom Pelphrey — Task

Best Supporting Actress: Allison Janney — The Diplomat

Acting Awards for Comedy Series

Best Actor: Matthew Rhys — Widow’s Bay

Best Actress: Jean Smart — Hacks

Best Supporting Actor: Stephen Root — Widow’s Bay

Best Supporting Actress: Kate O’Flynn — Widow’s Bay

Miniseries, Anthologies, and TV Movies

Best Actor: Matthew Rhys — The Beast in Me

Best Actress: Sally Field — Remarkably Bright Creatures

Directing and Writing

Best Direction in a Drama Series: Saul Metzstein — Slow Horses

Best Direction in a Comedy Series: Hiro Murai — Widow’s Bay

Best Writing in a Drama Series: Vince Gilligan — Pluribus

Best Writing in a Comedy Series: Katie Dippold — Widow’s Bay

One of the evening’s biggest winners was Widow’s Bay: the series not only won the top comedy category but also took home three acting awards, as well as honors for directing and writing. At the same time, The Pitt reaffirmed its status as one of the strongest drama series in recent years, taking home the top prize in its category for the second year in a row.

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Which series won the most Emmys in 2026?

When considering not only the main ceremony on September 14 but also the Creative Arts Emmys, Widow’s Bay emerged as the biggest winner of the year. The Apple TV comedy series received a total of 14 awards: eight at the Creative Arts Emmys and another six at the main ceremony. It thus surpassed the previous record held by *The Studio*, which won 13 Emmys in a single season back in 2025.

At the main ceremony, Widow’s Bay won in six categories. Among them were Best Comedy Series, Lead Actor for Matthew Rhys, Supporting Actor for Stephen Root, Supporting Actress for Kate O’Flynn, as well as awards for writing by Katie Dippold and directing by Hiro Murai.

Other notable winners of the evening included:

1. The Pitt – two awards at the main ceremony, including Best Drama Series and a win for Noah Wyle

2. Pluribus – two awards, including Best Lead Actress for Rhea Seehorn and Best Writing for Vince Gilligan

3. DTF St. Louis—a win in the top category for miniseries and anthology series

4. Hacks—another acting Emmy for Jean Smart

5. The Diplomat—an award for Allison Janney for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

In this year’s battle among streaming platforms, Apple TV took the lead for the first time, wrapping up the 2026 Emmys with 28 awards. Widow’s Bay and Pluribus accounted for a significant portion of that total. This is particularly notable given the competition from HBO Max and Netflix, which traditionally dominate the television awards season.

The Pitt deserves a special mention. The series became the first since *Mad Men* to win an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series in its first two consecutive seasons. Noah Wyle also repeated his win for Lead Actor for the second year in a row—a feat not seen in this category since Bryan Cranston’s run on *Breaking Bad*.

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Key Records from the 2026 Emmy Awards

The 2026 ceremony made history with several records. The most notable achievements are associated with *Widow’s Bay*, Matthew Rhys, Jean Smart, Allison Janney, and Sally Field.

1. *Widow’s Bay* set a record among comedy series by winning 14 Emmys in a single season. The previous record was held by *The Studio*, which won 13 awards in 2025.

2. Matthew Rhys became the first actor in Emmy history to win in two lead actor categories in a single year. He received awards for *Widow’s Bay* in the comedy category and for *The Beast in Me* in the miniseries and TV movie category. In addition, Rhys became the first actor to win in the leading male categories for drama, comedy, and limited series over the course of his career.

3. Jean Smart won her fifth consecutive Emmy for *Hacks*. She became the first actress to win an acting Emmy for every season of a single series. In total, this is her eighth acting Emmy.

4. Jean Smart and Allison Janney tied the Emmy record held by Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Each now has eight acting awards. Janney won this year for her role in *The Diplomat*.

5. Sally Field became the oldest winner in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries, Anthology Series, or TV Movie. At the time of her win for *Remarkably Bright Creatures*, the actress was 79 years old.

6. Stephen Root set an age record among winners in the Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series category thanks to his role in *Widow’s Bay*.

7. Hiro Murai became the first Asian director to win an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series. He earned the award for his work on *Widow’s Bay*.

*The Pitt* also achieved a notable milestone. The show became the first since *Mad Men* to win an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series in each of its first two seasons. Noah Wyle also won Best Drama Actor for the second year in a row—a feat not seen at the start of a series since Bryan Cranston and *Breaking Bad*.

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Highlights of the 2026 Emmy Awards Ceremony

This year’s Emmy Awards were memorable not only for the records set and the wins by the favorites. The show featured plenty of nostalgia, humor, and emotional moments, and several parts of the ceremony were actively discussed even after the broadcast ended.

Mariska Hargitay Hosted the Emmys for the First Time

Mariska Hargitay, star of *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*, made her debut as host of the Emmy Awards and became the first woman in 15 years to host the ceremony solo. She opened the show with a musical number, took part in comedy skits, and playfully referenced her long-standing role as Olivia Benson.

One of the most talked-about moments was a Law & Order: SVU-style skit featuring Taylor Swift. The singer was not physically present at the ceremony but appeared in a specially prepared video.

The Buffy Stars Reunited After 30 Years

One of the evening’s most nostalgic moments was provided by Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz. The actors, who played Buffy and Angel in the cult classic *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*, appeared together on stage again to mark the series’ 30th anniversary.

For the show, which premiered in 1997, this was one of the most notable television reunions of the year.

Michael J. Fox Received a Humanitarian Award

One of the most emotional moments of the ceremony was the presentation of the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award to Michael J. Fox. The Television Academy honored the actor for his longstanding work in Parkinson’s disease research and his support of people living with the disease.

Fox founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000. During the ceremony, the audience gave him a standing ovation, and the actor spoke about the importance of supporting the people who have helped him throughout his decades-long battle with the disease.

The ceremony honored Dolly Parton and other stars

A special segment of the evening was dedicated to prominent figures in the television and film industries who passed away over the past year. Dolly Parton received a special tribute, and Reba McEntire performed one of the songs in her honor.

The “In Memoriam” segment also honored Catherine O’Hara, James Van Der Beek, Eric Dane, Diane Ladd, and other industry figures.

These moments made the 2026 Emmys much more than a typical awards show: the ceremony combined the season’s major television premieres with the history of American television, the return of iconic characters, and a tribute to the people who have shaped the industry.

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What to Watch After the 2026 Emmys: The Winning Shows

Winning an Emmy doesn’t always mean a show will appeal to every viewer. However, the 2026 results provide a good guide for those looking for a powerful drama, dark comedy, thriller, or high-quality miniseries. Among the winners are both well-known hits and projects that received significantly more attention after the ceremony.

The Pitt

The medical drama *The Pitt* was named Best Drama Series for the second year in a row, and Noah Wyle once again won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. The second season unfolds over the course of a single tense day in a Pittsburgh emergency room.

The series is a must-watch for those who appreciate realistic medical dramas that don’t overly romanticize the profession. *The Pitt* focuses on doctors working under pressure, difficult decisions, and the personal stories of patients.

Widow’s Bay

The biggest sensation of the 2026 Emmys was the comedy-horror series Widow’s Bay from Apple TV. The story unfolds on a remote island in New England, where the lives of the local community are intertwined with supernatural events.

The series won 14 Emmys, setting a new record for comedy projects in a single season. Among the awards were Best Comedy Series, acting wins for Matthew Rhys, Stephen Root, and Kate O’Flynn, as well as Emmys for writing and directing. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy dark humor, the supernatural, and unusual genre blends.

DTF St. Louis

DTF St. Louis won in the top category for miniseries and anthologies. The HBO Max project became one of the season’s most notable limited series and received 13 nominations even before the ceremony.

This is a good option for viewers who don’t want to start a multi-season series and prefer self-contained stories. The miniseries format allows you to experience the entire story arc without having to wait several years for a sequel.

Pluribus

Vince Gilligan’s new series, *Pluribus*, earned Rhea Seehorn her first Emmy for a leading role in a drama, and Gilligan himself his first individual writing Emmy. Prior to this, his awards for *Breaking Bad* were for his work as a producer.

Pluribus is especially worth adding to your list if you enjoy complex dramatic stories and auteur series with a gradual plot development. After 18 nominations and two key wins at the main ceremony, it has firmly established itself among the year’s top television projects.

Hacks

Hacks has remained one of the most consistent Emmy comedy hits for several years. In 2026, the final season earned Jean Smart her fifth consecutive award for her role as Deborah Vance.

The series explores the relationship between a legendary stand-up comedian and a young screenwriter, who are constantly forced to navigate the balance between competition, friendship, and work. Smart’s fifth win cemented Hacks as one of the defining series of an entire Emmy era.

The Beast in Me

For his role in The Beast in Me, Matthew Rhys won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie. Thanks to this win and his award for Widow’s Bay, he became the first person to win two Emmys for leading roles in different categories in a single year.

It was Rhys’s performance that became one of the main reasons to take notice of this project after the ceremony—especially if you enjoy psychological stories where the plot relies heavily on the characters and their interactions.

Remarkably Bright Creatures

The adaptation of *Remarkably Bright Creatures* earned Sally Field an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie. At 79, she became the oldest winner in the history of this category.

This project is perfect for those looking for a more intimate and emotional story amid the abundance of crime dramas and thrillers. Following Field’s historic win, it became one of the most notable miniseries of the 2026 Emmys.

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