Emmy Awards 2026 winners list — updating live
The 78th Emmy Awards, hosted by Mariska Hargitay, celebrated television excellence in Los Angeles. Jean Smart tied for the most Emmy acting wins, while HBO’s The Pitt led nominations. The ceremony highlighted drama, comedy, and limited series categories.
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards opened in Los Angeles on Monday night, with Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay stepping behind the microphone to host the industry’s biggest night. The ceremony, streamed live on NBC and Peacock from the city’s Peacock Theater, unfolded over three evenings, with the first night featuring a flurry of drama and comedy categories.
Jean Smart’s Historic Win
In a moment that will be remembered for years, Jean Smart captured her eighth overall Emmy, tying Julia Louis‑Dreyfus and Cloris Leachman for the most acting wins in history. Smart, who has led the cast of HBO’s final season of Hacks, secured the award for lead actress in a comedy series. The win not only cemented her place among the greats but also highlighted the strength of the show’s final run, which broke the all‑time comedy nomination record with 24 nods.
Top Nominees and Nominations
HBO’s medical drama The Pitt dominated the nomination list with 25 nods, the highest of any series that season. The show, which had already won best drama last year, received categories ranging from outstanding drama to lead actor and supporting roles. Noah Wyle led the cast as the series’ lead actor, while the ensemble earned seven supporting nominations.
Apple TV+ brought fresh competition with the horror‑comedy Widow’s Bay, which earned 19 nominations, including lead actor for Matthew Rhys and supporting roles for Stephen Root, Dale Dickey, and Kate O’Flynn. The show’s debut season also saw the series break into the Emmy conversation, with Kate O’Flynn taking home the first trophy during Monday’s ceremony for her supporting role.
Apple’s new drama Pluribus followed closely with 18 nominations, covering best drama, lead actress for Rhea Seehorn, and supporting performances from Carlos‑Manuel Vesga and Karolina Wydra. In the limited and anthology category, Netflix’s Beef led with 16 nominations, while Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan were both up for lead roles.
Key Wins Across Categories
- Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Sterling K. Brown (Paradise), Gary Oldman (Slow Horses), Mark Ruffalo (Task), Rufus Sewell (The Diplomat), Noah Wyle (The Pitt)
- Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age), Chase Infiniti (The Testaments), Keri Russell (The Diplomat), Rhea Seehorn (Pluribus), Zendaya (Euphoria)
- Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Yahya Abdul‑Mateen II (Wonder Man), Steve Carell (Rooster), Matthew Rhys (Widow’s Bay), Jason Segel (Shrinking), Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building)
- Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), Elle Fanning (Margo’s Got Money Troubles), Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback), Jean Smart (Hacks)
- Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series: Claire Danes (The Beast in Me), Sally Field (Remarkably Bright Creatures), Carey Mulligan (Beef), Sarah Pidgeon (Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette), Sarah Snook (All Her Fault)
- Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series: Riz Ahmed (Bait), Jason Bateman (Black Rabbit), Charlie Hunnam (Monster: The Ed Gein Story), Oscar Isaac (Beef), Matthew Rhys (The Beast in Me)
Supporting and Guest Roles
Supporting categories saw a wide spread of talent. Kate O’Flynn won for her work in Widow’s Bay, while Dale Dickey and Hannah Einbinder took supporting actress honors in the same series. In drama, Patrick Ball (The Pitt) and Billy Crudup (The Morning Show) were among the nominees. Guest performances were highlighted by Colman Domingo (Euphoria) and Michael J. Fox (Shrinking).
Directing, Writing, and Technical Awards
Directing for a comedy series was awarded to Randall Einhorn for Abbott Elementary, while Christopher Storer received the same honor for The Bear. Writing for a comedy series went to Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary) and Tim Robinson & Zach Kanin (The Chair Company). For drama, Salli Richardson‑Whitfield was recognized for The Gilded Age and The Pitt, and Vince Gilligan earned a nomination for Pluribus.
What Happens Next?
The Emmy Awards will continue into the following nights, with remaining categories such as Outstanding Reality Competition Program, Outstanding Variety Series, and the remaining drama and comedy nominations to be announced. Viewers and industry insiders alike will be watching to see if any other records are broken or if new shows rise to prominence.
Why It Matters
The ceremony not only celebrates the best in television but also reflects shifting trends in the industry, such as the rise of streaming platforms and the growing recognition of diverse storytelling.
Why it matters
The 78th Emmy Awards spotlight the evolving landscape of television, showcasing the dominance of streaming platforms and the historic achievements of performers like Jean Smart, underscoring the industry's ongoing shift toward diverse, high‑quality content.
Key points
- Jean Smart tied for most Emmy acting wins with her eighth award
- HBO’s The Pitt led nominations with 25 nods
- Apple TV+ shows Widow’s Bay and Pluribus made significant impacts
- The ceremony highlighted record‑breaking nominations for Hacks
- Mariska Hargitay hosted the event in Los Angeles
Frequently asked questions
Who hosted the 78th Emmy Awards?
Mariska Hargitay, known for her role in Law & Order: SVU, served as host.
Which series led the nomination count?
HBO’s medical drama The Pitt topped the list with 25 nominations.
What record did Jean Smart achieve?
She tied for the most Emmy acting wins in history, reaching eight overall.
Which shows had record‑breaking nominations in comedy?
Hacks earned 24 nominations, surpassing previous records held by The Bear and The Studio.
