Cast and crew of "Widow's Bay" accept the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. (Trae Patton/NBC)
HOLLYWOOD, CA — TV's biggest night returned Monday evening as the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards honored the year's standout achievements in primetime television. The ceremony aired live on NBC from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, where "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" star Mariska Hargitay opened the show as the first solo female host in 15 years, delivering an exuberant introduction that spotlighted many of this year's nominated series and performers.
Apple TV's "Widow's Bay" dominated the evening with 14 wins, including Outstanding Comedy Series, cementing its status as the night's breakout powerhouse. Three shows followed in a tight cluster at seven wins apiece: The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny, "DTF St. Louis," and "The Traitors."
Just behind the leaders, HBO Max's "The Pitt" — which also won Outstanding Drama Series — joined "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," Apple TV's "Pluribus," and the stylized noir drama "Spider‑Noir," with all four shows earning six awards.
The night also delivered a landmark moment in Emmy history. Jean Smart and Allison Janney each earned their eighth career acting Emmy — Smart for her lead performance in "Hacks" and Janney for her supporting role in "The Diplomat" — joining Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis‑Dreyfus as the most awarded performers in Emmys history.
Matthew Rhys added a historic achievement of his own, becoming the first actor to win lead acting Emmys in drama, comedy, and limited series. His victories this year for Netflix's "The Beast in Me" and Apple TV's "Widow's Bay" follow his 2018 drama win for "The Americans."
The remaining lead acting races showcased standout performances across drama, comedy, and limited series. Sally Field earned the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for "Remarkably Bright Creatures," while Rhea Seehorn won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in "Pluribus." Noah Wyle added the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for "The Pitt," rounding out a field that highlighted both veteran talent and fresh creative momentum across the year's most celebrated series.
The supporting acting categories delivered some of the night's most competitive races. Tom Pelphrey won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for "Task," while Kate O'Flynn earned Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for "Widow's Bay." Stephen Root claimed Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for "Widow's Bay," adding to the show's dominant tally.
In limited series, "DTF St. Louis" earned Outstanding Limited Series, with David Harbour winning Outstanding Supporting Actor and Linda Cardellini taking Outstanding Supporting Actress, giving the anthology a commanding presence across the category.
From historic milestones to breakout newcomers, the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards showcased the full breadth of television's creative excellence, honoring both industry veterans and rising voices across every major category. Below is the complete list of winners from this year's ceremony.
The 2026 Emmy Awards Winners
Outstanding Drama Series
"The Pitt"
Outstanding Comedy Series
"Widow's Bay"
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
"DTF St. Louis"
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Noah Wyle, "The Pitt"
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Rhea Seehorn, "Pluribus"
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Allison Janney, "The Diplomat"
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Tom Pelphrey, "Task"
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Vince Gilligan, "Pluribus"
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Matthew Rhys, "Widow's Bay"
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Jean Smart, "Hacks"
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Kate O'Flynn, "Widow's Bay"
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Stephen Root, "Widow's Bay"
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
Katie Dippold, "Widow's Bay"
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
Hiro Murai, "Widow's Bay"
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
Saul Metzstein, "Slow Horses"
Outstanding Variety Series
"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert"
Outstanding Reality Competition Program
"The Traitors"
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Matthew Rhys, "The Beast in Me"
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Sally Field, "Remarkably Bright Creatures"
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Ernest Harden Jr., "The Pitt"
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Shailene Woodley, "Paradise"
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Rob Reiner, "The Bear"
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Betty Gilpin, "Widow's Bay"
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series
David Harbour, "DTF St. Louis"
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series
Linda Cardellini, "DTF St. Louis"
Outstanding Television Movie
"Remarkably Bright Creatures"
Outstanding Structured Reality Program
"Antiques Roadshow"
Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program
"Love on the Spectrum"
Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program
"Love on the Spectrum"
Outstanding Directing for a Reality Program
"The Traitors"
Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program
"The Traitors"
Outstanding Editing for a Structured Reality Program
"The Traitors"
Outstanding Editing for an Unstructured Reality Program
"Love on the Spectrum"
Outstanding Variety Special (Live)
"The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny"
Outstanding Variety Special (Pre‑Recorded)
"The Muppet Show"
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
"The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny"
Outstanding Editing for Variety Programming
"The Muppet Show"
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
"Mr. Scorsese"
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special
"My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay"
Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program
"My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay"
Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking
"The Librarians"
Outstanding Editing for a Nonfiction Program
"Sean Combs: The Reckoning"
Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program
"Ocean With David Attenborough"
Outstanding Sound Editing (Nonfiction)
"Ocean With David Attenborough"
Outstanding Sound Mixing (Music Special)
"Billy Joel: And So It Goes"
Outstanding Sound Mixing (Reality)
"Welcome to Wrexham"
Outstanding Sound Mixing (Variety)
"Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny"