The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards have concluded, and the results are in. Widow’s Bay and The Pitt led the night with major victories, while Jean Smart and Matthew Rhys made Emmy history with record-setting wins at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Monday, September 14, 2026.
The Pitt won Outstanding Drama Series for the second consecutive year, with Noah Wyle taking home his second straight Lead Actor trophy. But the night belonged equally to Apple TV+’s freshman comedy-horror series Widow’s Bay, which swept the major comedy acting categories and took Outstanding Comedy Series in a significant upset over the heavily favored Hacks.
2026 Emmy Awards at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Ceremony | 78th Primetime Emmy Awards |
| Date | Monday, September 14, 2026 |
| Location | Peacock Theater, Los Angeles |
| Host | Mariska Hargitay |
| Outstanding Drama Series | The Pitt (HBO Max) |
| Outstanding Comedy Series | Widow’s Bay (Apple TV+) |
| Outstanding Limited Series | DTF St. Louis (HBO Max) |
| Most Historic Win | Jean Smart’s fifth consecutive comedy actress Emmy |
| Biggest Acting Sweep | Widow’s Bay (Lead, Supporting Actor and Actress in Comedy) |
Biggest Winners of the Night
The Pitt Dominates Drama
The Pitt entered the night as the most-nominated drama with 25 nods, and it delivered on that momentum. The HBO Max medical drama won Outstanding Drama Series for the second year in a row, cementing its status as television’s reigning prestige drama.
Noah Wyle won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, his second consecutive win in the category. The victory marks a remarkable career resurgence for Wyle, who first became a household name as Dr. John Carter on ER in the 1990s.
The show’s performance extended beyond the top categories, with Tom Pelphrey winning Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Task, another HBO production.
Widow’s Bay Sweeps Comedy Acting
The freshman Apple TV+ series Widow’s Bay emerged as the night’s breakout star, achieving a near-complete sweep of the major comedy acting categories.
Matthew Rhys won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, while Stephen Root took Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in an upset over heavily favored Harrison Ford. Kate O’Flynn won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, the first award handed out during the telecast.
The series also won Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (Hiro Murai) and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Katie Dippold).
Hacks Delivers a Historic Acting Win
Despite losing the top comedy series prize to Widow’s Bay, Hacks still delivered one of the night’s most significant moments. Jean Smart won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the fifth consecutive year, completing an unprecedented sweep for her role as Deborah Vance.
Smart became the first performer to win an acting Emmy for every season of a show that lasted more than three seasons. Her total of eight Emmys ties her with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Cloris Leachman for the most acting Primetime Emmys in television history.
The Pitt’s Emmy Success
The Pitt‘s second consecutive Outstanding Drama Series win cements the show’s place as the defining drama of its era. Created by R. Scott Gemmill and developed with Noah Wyle and John Wells, the series reimagined the medical drama format for streaming audiences with its real-time, hour-by-hour structure.
The show’s victory came over a competitive field that included The Diplomat, The Gilded Age, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Paradise, Pluribus, Slow Horses, and Your Friends & Neighbors.
With its 25 nominations leading all programs, The Pitt‘s Drama Series win was a fitting culmination of a dominant awards season. The show also earned key Creative Arts Emmys, including Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series.
Widow’s Bay’s Emmy Success
Widow’s Bay won Outstanding Comedy Series, capping a remarkable freshman season for the Apple TV+ series. The comedy-horror series, created by Katie Dippold, defeated a field that included Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Hacks, Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Nobody Wants This, Only Murders in the Building, and Shrinking.
The win was a significant upset over Hacks, which entered the night with a record 24 nominations for a comedy series and was widely expected to take the top prize in its final season.
In addition to its Primetime wins, Widow’s Bay accumulated multiple Creative Arts Emmys, with reports indicating the series tied a record for Emmys for a comedy in a season when including those honors.
Noah Wyle’s Emmy Win
Noah Wyle won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for The Pitt, his second consecutive Emmy in the category.
Wyle plays Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, a dedicated but weary emergency room physician at the center of The Pitt. The role allows Wyle to revisit the medical drama format with a darker, more contemporary sensibility than his earlier work on ER.
In his acceptance speech, Wyle acknowledged his fellow nominees, calling them “phenomenal”. The victory marks a significant milestone in a career that has found new creative vitality after his initial rise to fame in the 1990s.
Jean Smart’s Emmy Win
Jean Smart won her fifth consecutive Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the fifth and final season of Hacks.
The victory made her the first performer to win an acting Emmy for every season of a show that lasted more than three seasons. No actor had previously achieved this feat.
Smart’s win also tied her with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Cloris Leachman for the most acting Primetime Emmys in television history, with eight total. In her speech, she thanked Hacks creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky.
Smart’s portrayal of Deborah Vance—a brash, aging stand-up comedian fighting against obscurity and sexism—has been the defining role of her later career.
Matthew Rhys and Other Major Acting Winners
Matthew Rhys had a historic night, winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Widow’s Bay and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for The Beast in Me.
The double victory made Rhys the first performer to win lead acting Emmys across all three genres—drama, comedy, and limited series—having previously won for The Americans in 2018. He also made history by winning lead acting awards in two categories in the same year.
Rhea Seehorn won her first Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Pluribus, honoring Gloria Steinem during her acceptance speech.
Sally Field won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Remarkably Bright Creatures, an upset victory over heavily favored Carey Mulligan.
Allison Janney won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for The Diplomat.
Complete 2026 Emmy Awards Winners List
Drama
Outstanding Drama Series: The Pitt (HBO Max)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Noah Wyle, The Pitt
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Tom Pelphrey, Task
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Allison Janney, The Diplomat
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: Saul Metzstein, Slow Horses
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: Vince Gilligan, Pluribus
Comedy
Outstanding Comedy Series: Widow’s Bay (Apple TV+)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Matthew Rhys, Widow’s Bay
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Jean Smart, Hacks
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Stephen Root, Widow’s Bay
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Kate O’Flynn, Widow’s Bay
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series: Hiro Murai, Widow’s Bay
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: Katie Dippold, Widow’s Bay
Limited/Anthology Series or Movie
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: DTF St. Louis (HBO Max)
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 Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: David Harbour, DTF St. Louis
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Linda Cardellini, DTF St. Louis
Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Steven Conrad, DTF St. Louis
Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: DTF St. Louis
Reality/Variety and Other Major Categories
Outstanding Reality Competition Program: The Traitors (Peacock)
Outstanding Variety Series: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Outstanding Animated Program: South Park
Winners Table
| Category | Winner | Show |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Drama Series | The Pitt | HBO Max |
| Outstanding Comedy Series | Widow’s Bay | Apple TV+ |
| Outstanding Limited Series | DTF St. Louis | HBO Max |
| Drama Lead Actor | Noah Wyle | The Pitt |
| Drama Lead Actress | Rhea Seehorn | Pluribus |
| Drama Supporting Actor | Tom Pelphrey | Task |
| Drama Supporting Actress | Allison Janney | The Diplomat |
| Comedy Lead Actor | Matthew Rhys | Widow’s Bay |
| Comedy Lead Actress | Jean Smart | Hacks |
| Comedy Supporting Actor | Stephen Root | Widow’s Bay |
| Comedy Supporting Actress | Kate O’Flynn | Widow’s Bay |
| Limited Series Lead Actor | Matthew Rhys | The Beast in Me |
| Limited Series Lead Actress | Sally Field | Remarkably Bright Creatures |
| Limited Series Supporting Actor | David Harbour | DTF St. Louis |
| Limited Series Supporting Actress | Linda Cardellini | DTF St. Louis |
| Reality Competition | The Traitors | Peacock |
| Variety Series | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert | CBS |
Biggest Surprises and Upsets
Widow’s Bay Wins Outstanding Comedy Series
While Widow’s Bay was expected to perform well in acting categories, its win for Outstanding Comedy Series over Hacks represented a significant upset. Hacks entered the night with a record 24 nominations for a comedy series and was widely expected to take the top prize in its final season. The freshman Apple TV+ series instead claimed the biggest comedy award of the night.
Stephen Root Beats Harrison Ford
Stephen Root‘s win for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series over Harrison Ford was described as “one of the night’s surprises”. Ford had been considered the favorite for his role in Shrinking.
Sally Field Upsets Carey Mulligan
Sally Field‘s win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie over Carey Mulligan, who was heavily favored for Beef, ranked among the night’s most unexpected results.
Records and Historic Moments
Jean Smart made history as the first performer to win an acting Emmy for every season of a show lasting more than three seasons. She also tied the record for most acting Primetime Emmys by a single performer, with eight wins shared with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Cloris Leachman. Allison Janney joined this elite group with her win, also reaching eight career acting Emmys.
Matthew Rhys became the first performer to win lead acting Emmys across all three genres—drama, comedy, and limited series—and the first to win two lead acting awards in the same year.
Kate O’Flynn won the first award of the night, for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Most Memorable Moments
The ceremony featured several notable moments, including host Mariska Hargitay opening the show with a pre-taped musical bit. The night also included Rhea Seehorn honoring Gloria Steinem during her acceptance speech.
Stephen Root‘s unexpected win over Harrison Ford provided one of the evening’s most discussed upsets.
Streaming and Network Results
HBO Max had a strong night, with The Pitt winning Outstanding Drama Series and DTF St. Louis taking Outstanding Limited Series. Apple TV+ scored a major victory with Widow’s Bay‘s Outstanding Comedy Series win and multiple acting awards, plus Pluribus star Rhea Seehorn’s drama actress win. Netflix earned wins for The Beast in Me (Matthew Rhys) and Remarkably Bright Creatures (Sally Field).
What the 2026 Emmy Results Mean
The 2026 Emmy Awards underscored several significant trends in the television landscape. The Pitt‘s continued dominance demonstrates that prestige dramas with innovative formats can sustain awards momentum across multiple seasons. Meanwhile, Widow’s Bay‘s freshman sweep signals that Emmy voters remain receptive to bold, genre-blending series that defy traditional categorization.
Jean Smart‘s historic fifth win reflects the industry’s enduring appreciation for character-driven comedy with sharp writing, even as Hacks lost the top series prize. Matthew Rhys‘ unprecedented double victory highlights the increasing recognition of television as a medium capable of attracting and rewarding top-tier talent across multiple genres.
The night’s emphasis on established performers like Smart, Field, and Janney alongside newer voices like O’Flynn and Root demonstrates that Emmy voters value both career achievement and fresh talent.
Quick-Reference Winners
Drama Series: The Pitt
Comedy Series: Widow’s Bay
Limited/Anthology Series: DTF St. Louis
Drama Lead Actor: Noah Wyle, The Pitt
Drama Lead Actress: Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus
Comedy Lead Actor: Matthew Rhys, Widow’s Bay
Comedy Lead Actress: Jean Smart, Hacks
Limited Series Lead Actor: Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me
Limited Series Lead Actress: Sally Field, Remarkably Bright Creatures
Reality Competition: The Traitors
FAQs
Who won the 2026 Emmy for Best Drama Series?
The Pitt won Outstanding Drama Series for the second consecutive year.
Who won the 2026 Emmy for Best Comedy Series?
Widow’s Bay won Outstanding Comedy Series, upsetting heavily favored Hacks.
Who won Best Actor at the 2026 Emmys?
Noah Wyle won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for The Pitt, while Matthew Rhys won Outstanding Lead Actor in both Comedy (Widow’s Bay) and Limited Series (The Beast in Me).
Who won Best Actress at the 2026 Emmys?
Jean Smart won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Hacks, Rhea Seehorn won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Pluribus, and Sally Field won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series for Remarkably Bright Creatures.
How many Emmys did The Pitt win in 2026?
The Pitt won key Primetime awards including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actor (Noah Wyle), with additional wins at the Creative Arts Emmys.
How many Emmys did Widow’s Bay win?
Widow’s Bay won major Primetime awards including Outstanding Comedy Series, Lead Actor (Matthew Rhys), Supporting Actor (Stephen Root), Supporting Actress (Kate O’Flynn), Directing (Hiro Murai), and Writing (Katie Dippold), along with Creative Arts honors.
Did Noah Wyle win an Emmy in 2026?
Yes. Noah Wyle won his second consecutive Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for The Pitt.
Did Jean Smart win an Emmy in 2026?
Yes. Jean Smart won her fifth consecutive Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Hacks, making her the first performer to win an acting Emmy for every season of a show lasting more than three seasons.
Who hosted the 2026 Emmy Awards?
Mariska Hargitay hosted the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards.
When were the 2026 Emmy Awards held?
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards were held on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
What is the difference between the Primetime and Creative Arts Emmys?
The Creative Arts Emmys honor technical and behind-the-scenes achievements and are presented in separate ceremonies before the main telecast. The Primetime Emmys recognize the most high-profile categories, including acting, directing, writing, and top series awards.
Where can I find the complete 2026 Emmy winners list?
The complete official winners list is available on the Television Academy’s website. Major entertainment news outlets also publish comprehensive category-by-category results.
Conclusion
The 2026 Emmy Awards will be remembered as a night when Widow’s Bay announced itself as a major new comedy force, The Pitt cemented its drama dynasty, and Jean Smart and Matthew Rhys achieved historic milestones that will be discussed for years to come.
The Pitt proved that its first Outstanding Drama Series win was no fluke, delivering a second consecutive victory that solidifies its place among television’s elite dramas. Noah Wyle‘s second straight Lead Actor trophy confirms his remarkable career revival as one of the year’s most compelling stories.
Widow’s Bay‘s freshman sweep—taking Outstanding Comedy Series and three of the four major comedy acting awards—represents a stunning arrival for the Apple TV+ series and a significant upset over the heavily favored Hacks. The comedy-horror hybrid’s success suggests that Emmy voters are willing to embrace genre-bending storytelling that defies traditional categorization.
Jean Smart‘s fifth consecutive win for Hacks is a record-setting achievement that cements her place among television’s most decorated performers. No actor had previously won an acting Emmy for every season of a show lasting more than three seasons, and Smart’s eighth career Emmy ties her with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Cloris Leachman for the most acting Primetime Emmys ever.
Matthew Rhys‘ double victory—winning lead acting Emmys in both comedy and limited series on the same night—is an unprecedented feat that no performer had previously achieved. Combined with his earlier drama win for The Americans, Rhys now stands alone as the first performer to win lead acting Emmys across all three genres.
The 2026 ceremony marked both the end of an era, with Hacks concluding its celebrated run, and the beginning of another, as Widow’s Bay emerged as a major new contender. It was a night that honored television’s past while embracing its future, and one that will be remembered for its historic achievements and genuine surprises.