Emmys 2026: Big winners, emotional tributes and more
Television's biggest stars gathered at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Television's biggest night of the year is in the books!
The 78th Emmy Awards brought together television's biggest stars, shows and creators to celebrate the best of the small screen.
Mariska Hargitay hosted the event for the first time. "Widow's Bay" dominated a crowded field, ending the night with six wins on top of the eight wins the show took home previously at the Creative Arts Emmys, held earlier this month.
On Monday, "Widow's Bay" took home the awards for outstanding comedy series, as well as outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series, outstanding supporting actor, lead actor, writing and directing.
Continue below to see who won, red carpet arrivals, memorable speeches, reactions and more must-see moments.
Key Headlines
Hiro Murai wins outstanding directing for comedy series for 'Widow's Bay'
Hiro Murai took home the Emmy for outstanding directing for a comedy series for "Widow's Bay."
Other nominees in the category were Randall Einhorn for "Abbott Elementary," Christopher Storer for "The Bear," Andrew DeYoung for "The Chair Company," Lucia Aniello for "Hacks," and Mary Lou Belli for "The Ms. Pat Show.”
'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' wins Emmy for outstanding variety series
"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" has won the Emmy for outstanding variety series after officially coming to an end in May 2026.
Colbert said of his team, “Hire them. They will make your show better, and they will make your day easier.”
He also joked about having interviewed many audience members in attendance on his show.
"I want you to know that you were the perfect guest. The segment went great, and I'm sorry I forgot to play your clip," he said.
Other shows nominated in the category included "The Daily Show," "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" and "Saturday Night Live."
Saul Metzstein wins outstanding directing for drama for 'Slow Horses'
Saul Metzstein won his first Emmy for outstanding directing for a drama series for “Slow Horses.”
Other directing nominees were Salli Richardson-Whitfield for "The Gilded Age" and "Task"; Hanelle M. Culpepper for "Paradise"; Noah Wyle for "The Pitt"; and Vince Gilligan for "Pluribus.”
Allison Janney on why she didn't think she would win an Emmy tonight
Allison Janney was nearly speechless about her Emmy win in the outstanding supporting actress in a drama series category.
After accepting the statuette onstage, she spoke with press in the media room and said she was "sure I wasn't going to win."
With her win, Janney tied the all-time record for the most Emmys by a performer, with eight. Actresses who also have eight acting Emmys include Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Jean Smart also achieved the milestone on Monday after winning outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for "Hacks." She reacted to her win by saying that she would love to "go on a road trip" with Smart, Leachman and Louis-Dreyfus, or "do a show" with all of them.