One of television’s biggest nights took center stage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Monday. Hosted by “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” star Mariska Hargitay, the ceremony brought together some of the best actors and actresses television has to offer.
Before the ceremony commenced, history was made. Hargitay marked the first time since 2011 a woman hosted the ceremony.
Leading the nomination list was “The Pitt,” with 25 nominations for its second season. Leading the comedy category with 24 nominations was “Hacks,” garnering the most nominations for a comedy series in Emmy history.
“Hacks” dominated the comedy category throughout the 2020s and is nominated this year for its fifth and final season. Lead actress, Jean Smart, won all five of her nominations for her character, Deborah Vance.
“The Pitt” had already won four nominations before the televised program, including Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series to Ernest Harden Jr., playing the beloved character, Louie Cloverfield.
Leading the limited series category with 16 nominations was Netflix’s comedy-drama series “Beef,” nominated three years after its first season won eight Emmys back in 2023. The second season brought in new stars in Oscar Isaac and Charles Melton, both nominated for acting Emmys for their roles.
Kicking off the program were the actress categories for a comedy series, starting with Apple TV’s comedy-horror series “Widow’s Bay,” taking home the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy for Kate O’Flynn’s performance as Patricia Moyer. Presenting Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series was drama’s best lead actress nominee, Zendaya, taking the stage in a show-stopping crystal dress and pixie cut before announcing Smart’s fifth Emmy win as Deborah Vance, making her the first woman to win the lead actress Emmy for every season of a show.
Cheering on Smart from the audience was fellow “Hacks” actress and nominee, Megan Stalter, who took to the red carpet as an Emmy trophy replica, gold body paint and all. Stalter walked away empty-handed but still showcased the Emmy spirit.
The Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category was packed with four “The Pitt” actresses, but it was a stunned Allison Janney who walked away with the trophy for her role as Grace Penn in “The Diplomat,” her eighth Emmy win and first in 11 years. For Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Rhea Seehorn took her first Emmy win for her role as Carol Sturka in “Pluribus,” quoting the late Gloria Steinem in her acceptance speech: “'We are linked, not ranked,' and I feel that way about all you women," said Seehorn.
“Widow’s Bay” continued its supporting acting success, taking the supporting actor win for Stephen Root’s performance as Wyck Crawford. “The Traitors” host Alan Cumming, accepting the show’s 15th Emmy win, took a moment to urge viewers at home to register to vote in recognition of National Voter Registration Day the following day.
“The Pitt” finally took its first televised Emmy of the year with Noah Wyle’s second straight win for Outstanding Lead Actor in A Drama Series for his role as Dr. Michael Robinavitch. HBO Max would continue its streak with its other show, “Task,” taking the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series with Tom Pelphrey’s performance as Robbie Prendergast.
Joining Hargitay with a surprise cameo for a pre-recorded skit based on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” was Taylor Swift, along with her cat named after Hargitay’s character, Olivia Benson.
Taking the stage for the second time was Matthew Rhys, who won earlier in the night for his leading role in “The Beast in Me.” He took to the stage again to accept his second outstanding lead actor award, this time for “Widow’s Bay,” making history as the first person to win two lead acting awards in different categories in the same year.
In the writing and directing awards, familiar names continued to dominate. “Widow’s Bay” expanded its award lead, taking both outstanding writing and directing for a comedy series, to Katie Dippold and Hiro Murai, respectively.
“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” finished off its controversial conclusion with its first Outstanding Variety Series win. "We hope you enjoyed the show. We had a great time doing it for you," said Colbert during his acceptance speech.
Leading the nights in memoriam segment was a tribute to the late Dolly Parton, with a gorgeous performance of “Appalachian Memories” by Reba McEntire. Following a Catherine O’Hara tribute from Macaulay Culkin, Dan Levy and Annie Murphy, Noah Kahan performed a cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s song, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” to honor those who died this year.
Winning its first and biggest award of the night was “DTF St. Louis,” taking home Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. Less surprisingly, the night’s biggest winners, “The Pitt” and “Widow’s Bay,” took home outstanding drama and comedy series, respectively.
“Widow’s Bay” finished off the night with a dominant 14 Emmys, more than any other series and a record high for a comedy series. “DTF St. Louis” followed with seven wins, and “The Pitt” closed out with 11 wins.
