LOS ANGELES — Hargitay arrived at the ceremony with her husband Peter Hermann and their children August, Andrew, and Amaya. Hargitay and her daughter Amaya wore matching red Monse gowns with sequins and feathers. Hargitay won two Creative Arts Emmys for her documentary 'My Mom Jayne' prior to the main ceremony. Shows that aired between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026, were eligible for the awards.

'The Pitt' received 25 nominations for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. 'Hacks' received 24 nominations. 'Widow's Bay' received 19 nominations.

'Pluribus' received 18 nominations. 'Beef' received 16 nominations. 'DTF St. Louis' received 13 nominations. Nominees for Outstanding Drama Series include 'The Diplomat,' 'The Gilded Age,' 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,' 'Paradise,' 'The Pitt,' 'Pluribus,' 'Slow Horses,' and 'Your Friends & Neighbors.' Nominees for Outstanding Comedy Series include 'The Bear,' 'Margo's Got Money Troubles,' 'Hacks,' 'Widow's Bay,' 'Nobody Wants This,' 'Only Murders in the Building,' and 'Shrinking.'

Zendaya is nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in 'Euphoria.' Zendaya wore a custom bejeweled Prada gown to the ceremony. Meg Stalter is nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in 'Hacks.' Meg Stalter attended the ceremony dressed as an Emmy statuette with gold makeup and wings. Sarah Pidgeon wore a lilac Chanel slip dress with pearl embroidery to the ceremony.

Elle Fanning wore a mint-green Ralph Lauren Collection slip dress to the ceremony. Colman Domingo wore a robe-style jacket from Valentino with flared trousers to the ceremony. Alan Cumming wore a black-and-white embroidered tuxedo to the ceremony. Selena Gomez wore a golden Louis Vuitton column gown to the ceremony.

Steve Carell attended the 78th Emmy Awards. Ryan Michelle Bathe attended the 78th Emmy Awards. Sterling K. Brown attended the 78th Emmy Awards.

Lisa Ann Walter attended the 78th Emmy Awards. RuPaul Charles attended the 78th Emmy Awards.

Why It Matters

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards honored programming from a specific eligibility window, recognizing series such as 'The Pitt' and 'Hacks' which led the nomination count. The ceremony showed a shift in hosting duties, with Mariska Hargitay becoming the first woman to host in 15 years, breaking a pattern established by previous hosts including Ellen DeGeneres and Jane Lynch. Hargitay also served as an executive producer for the event, indicating a deeper involvement in the production beyond her on-stage role.

Timeline

On July 15, 2026, 'DTF St. Louis' received 13 nominations for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. On the same date, nominees for Outstanding Drama Series were announced, including 'The Diplomat,' 'The Gilded Age,' 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,' 'Paradise,' 'The Pitt,' 'Pluribus,' 'Slow Horses,' and 'Your Friends & Neighbors.' Also on July 15, 2026, nominees for Outstanding Comedy Series were revealed, including 'The Bear,' 'Margo's Got Money Troubles,' 'Hacks,' 'Widow's Bay,' 'Nobody Wants This,' 'Only Murders in the Building,' and 'Shrinking.' Zendaya was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in 'Euphoria' on July 15, 2026. Meg Stalter was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in 'Hacks' on July 15, 2026.

On September 7, 2026, Mariska Hargitay won two Creative Arts Emmys for her documentary 'My Mom Jayne' prior to the main ceremony. On the same day, Ernest Harden Jr. won the award for guest actor in a drama series at the Creative Arts Emmys. On September 10, 2026, Sheryl Lee Ralph attended the Creative Coalition’s 12th Annual TV Humanitarian Awards Dinner.

What's New

Later reporting confirmed that Mariska Hargitay is the first woman to host the Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony in 15 years. Additional details established that the ceremony was held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. It was also reported that Mariska Hargitay is an executive producer of the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. 'Hacks' received 24 nominations for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. 'Beef' received 16 nominations for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. Historical context clarified that prior to Mariska Hargitay, the only other women to host the Primetime Emmy Awards were Ellen DeGeneres (2001, 2005), Heidi Klum (2008, alongside others), and Jane Lynch (2011).

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on specific details regarding the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards official schedule states that the ceremony took place on Monday, September 14, 2026, while the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences nomination list notes that 'The Pitt' received 25 nominations for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. The official schedule confirms the September 14, 2026 date, whereas the nomination list records that 'Hacks' received 24 nominations.

The schedule gives the date, while the nomination list notes 'DTF St. Louis' received 13 nominations. The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards official program states that Mariska Hargitay hosted the ceremony, while the nomination list records 'The Pitt' with 25 nominations. The program confirms Hargitay as host, while the nomination list shows 'Hacks' with 24 nominations.