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
Matthew Rhys wins outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie
Matthew Rhys won the Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for his performance in the haunting hit show "The Beast in Me."
In his acceptance speech, Rhys shouted out his co-star, saying the show was “certainly led ferociously, fiercely, fervently by the incredible Claire Danes,” and called her an “intimidating scene partner.”
Other nominees in the category were Riz Ahmed for "Bait," Jason Bateman for "Black Rabbit," Charlie Hunnam for "Monster: The Ed Gein Story” and Oscar Isaac for "Beef.”
Jean Smart wins outstanding lead actress in a comedy series
"Hacks" actress Jean Smart won the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series.
Smart thanked her family, Paul W. Downs and more in her brief speech.
Other nominees in the category included Quinta Brunson for "Abbott Elementary," Ayo Edebiri for "The Bear," Elle Fanning for "Margo's Got Money Troubles" and Lisa Kudrow for "The Comeback.”
Kate O'Flynn wins Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series
Kate O'Flynn took home the Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for her performance as Patricia in “Widow's Bay.”
In her acceptance speech, O’Flynn said “a saucy broad like Patricia” is the “role of a lifetime.”
Among those she thanked were her parents “and the loves of my life -- my darling husband and our darling daughter, another saucy broad in the making.”
“But this is for all the Patricias out there!” she added.
Others nominated in the category were her "Widow's Bay" co-star Dale Dickey, "Hacks" actresses Hannah Einbinder and Megan Stalter, Janelle James of "Abbott Elementary,” "Margo's Got Money Troubles" star Michelle Pfeiffer and "Shrinking" star Jessica Williams.
Mariska Hargitay opens Emmys with monologue and video featuring Jalen Brunson cameo
Mariska Hargitay opened up the Emmys on Monday night with a video introduction featuring Jalen Brunson, whom Hargitay cheered for this summer during the New York Knicks' championship run.
In the video, Hargitay opens up to Brunson about the pressure of opening the show, jokingly telling Brunson he wouldn't understand the feeling.
Hargitay then breaks into a rendition of "I Love Rock ’n’ Roll," shouting out some of the year's biggest shows.
Hargitay opened her subsequent monologue by noting she is the first woman to host the Emmy Awards solo in 15 years, touching on her long-running success on "Law & Order: SVU."
She also touched on the importance of storytelling, saying, "At the end of the day, we come to TV for magic -- to laugh, to cry, to care."
Nicole Kidman quickly butted in to call out Hargitay for stealing her lines from her famed AMC Theatres ad.