The 78th Emmy Awards had almost everything you would expect from television’s biggest night. Held on September 14 at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, the ceremony was hosted by Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay, who brought her own share of surprises to the night.
While Widow’s Bay and The Pitt dominated the winners’ list, several individual performances and unexpected moments ended up stealing the spotlight.
Here are some of the biggest and most memorable moments from the 2026 Emmy Awards.
Emmy Awards 2026: Matthew Rhys Made Emmy History
One of the biggest stories of the night was undoubtedly Matthew Rhys. The Welsh actor became the first performer in Emmy history to win two lead acting awards at the same ceremony. Rhys first won Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Netflix’s The Beast in Me. Later, he returned to the stage after winning Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Apple’s Widow’s Bay.
Matthew Rhys accepts the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in Widow’s Bay!#Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/B9VbbatQCn
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
His achievement became even bigger because Rhys already had a 2018 Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for The Americans.
That means he has now won lead acting Emmys in drama, comedy and limited series.
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: Widow’s Bay Had A Record-Breaking Night
If one show dominated the evening, it was Widow’s Bay. The Apple TV series won six awards during the main telecast such as Outstanding Comedy Series. Matthew Rhys won Lead Actor, while Kate O’Flynn and Stephen Root won the supporting acting categories. The series also took home awards for comedy writing and directing.
The Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series is Widow’s Bay!#Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/D8uCrarbEN
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
But the six trophies were only part of the story. Widow’s Bay had already won eight awards at the Creative Arts Emmys. With this, its total is 14 Emmys.
That made it the most-awarded comedy series in a single Emmy season by beating the previous record of 13.
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: Jean Smart Won For The Fifth Time In A Row
Jean Smart continued to look almost unbeatable in the comedy acting category. The Hacks star won Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the fifth consecutive time. She has won consecutively for five times for five seasons of the show.
It was also Smart’s eighth acting Emmy. This ties her with Cloris Leachman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Allison Janney for the record for most acting Emmys by a performer.
There was another impressive first attached to her victory: Smart became the first woman to win the lead actress Emmy for every season of a show’s run.
The Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series goes to Jean Smart for Hacks!#Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/DJRo3EVxnh
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
While accepting the award, Smart kept a special thank-you for Hacks creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky. “It all begins and ends with them,” she said.
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: Allison Janney Also Reached Eight Emmys
Jean Smart was not the only veteran actress making history. Allison Janney won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for The Diplomat. This brought her acting Emmy total to eight. That placed her alongside Smart, Leachman and Louis-Dreyfus among the performers with the most acting Emmys.
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: The Pitt Winning Streak Continued
On the drama side, The Pitt once again came out on top. The medical drama won Outstanding Drama Series for the second consecutive year while its star Noah Wyle also repeated his victory as Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
The Pitt wins the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series!#Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/pUZdYjvAEM
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: Rhea Seehorn Finally Got Her Emmy
One of the most satisfying acting wins of the evening belonged to Rhea Seehorn. The actress won Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Pluribus. She finally took home an Emmy after years of nominations and acclaim.
Seehorn was previously known for her Emmy-nominated performance as Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul but she had never managed to win an acting Emmy for the role.
Rhea Seehorn wins the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in Pluribus! #Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/zcMflBujUr
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
This time, she beat a strong field that included Zendaya who had won the category in 2020 and 2022.
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: Sally Field Got A Standing Ovation
Another emotional moment came when Sally Field won Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Netflix’s Remarkably Bright Creatures.
The 79-year-old actor received a huge standing ovation from the Peacock Theater audience, with the applause even drowning out her first few words.
“Wow, wow. This is not supposed to happen,” said Field. “I love this project from page one.”
The victory was Field’s fourth career Emmy and her first since 2007. She also became the oldest Emmy winner in her category.
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: Kate O’Flynn And Stephen Root Got Their First Emmys
Widow’s Bay also delivered first-time Emmy wins for two of its actors. Kate O’Flynn won Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series which marked her first Emmy victory. She was also a first-time nominee and became one of the first winners of the main telecast when her category was announced.
Stephen Root also picked up his first Emmy by winning Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Widow’s Bay.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series goes to Stephen Root for Widow’s Bay!#Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/X9JcIGcMwc
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: Tom Pelphrey And Other First-Time Emmy Winners Had Their Moment
The night also brought first Emmy wins for several other performers and creators. Tom Pelphrey won Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Task while Katie Dippold won Comedy Writing for Widow’s Bay.
Vince Gilligan also won Drama Writing for Pluribus. Although Gilligan already had Emmy wins connected to Breaking Bad, this was a major individual recognition for his writing.
At the Creative Arts Emmys earlier in the month, Betty Gilpin also collected her first Emmy for her guest role in Widow’s Bay.
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: Hiro Murai Made History Too
Widow’s Bay wasn’t finished making history even after its acting victories. Director Hiro Murai won Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for the show. The win was particularly notable because it made him the first person of Asian heritage to win in that category.
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: Meg Stalter Literally Dressed Like An Emmy
The red carpet had its own unforgettable moment thanks to Meg Stalter. The Hacks star decided that if she was attending the Emmys, she might as well dress like one.
Stalter arrived covered in gold makeup, wearing a gold outfit complete with wings, while holding a sphere designed to resemble the one carried by the actual Emmy statuette.
Meg Stalter WILL be going home with a trophy after the #Emmys 💅 pic.twitter.com/Lq53Lo3jX1
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 14, 2026
It was her first time attending the Emmys as a nominee. She had earned her first career nomination for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for playing Kayla Schaeffer in the final season of Hacks. She did not win as the award went to Kate O’Flynn but Stalter certainly won the red-carpet attention.
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: Mariska Hargitay Went All Out For Her Hosting Debut
Hosting the Emmys for the first time, Mariska Hargitay clearly decided that a simple opening monologue would not be enough.
She kicked off the show with a wild pre-taped sequence alongside New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson where they from New York to Los Angeles while singing a version of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts’ I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll, renamed I Love TV Screens.
When I say “I love TV Screens” this is what I mean. 📺 #Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/SIGpce6TwU
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
The opening then took her through a series of funny situations including hanging out in bed with Jean Smart, eating a burger in a nod to Beef, riding a horse and drinking bubble tea with Jennifer Coolidge.
Taking a moment to honor a few of Mariska Hargitay’s many looks of the night 😮💨#Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/VASk6tebeR
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
Once on stage, Hargitay pointed out that she was the first woman to host the Emmys in 15 years.
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: Taylor Swift Was At The Emmys But Not Really
Taylor Swift managed to become one of the night’s biggest talking points without actually attending the ceremony. She appeared in a pre-taped Law & Order: SVU sketch who plays a rookie who helps Hargitay’s Olivia Benson investigate the mystery of whether Swift would attend the Emmys.
The sketch ended with Hargitay and Swift posing together while Swift’s cat Olivia Benson named after Hargitay’s SVU character, became part of the joke.
Taylor Swift is wanted at the Emmys 🚨#Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/Pb59goEkxw
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
In reality, Swift was at Arrowhead Stadium that night, watching her husband Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs play the Denver Broncos. She was seated alongside Tom Cruise.
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: Emilia Clarke And Emma D’Arcy Brought Westeros Back
Fans of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon got a special surprise when Emilia Clarke and Emma D’Arcy appeared on stage together.
Clarke played Daenerys Targaryen throughout Game of Thrones, while D’Arcy plays Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon.
The two Targaryens from different parts of the franchise came together to present the award for Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie which went to Sally Field for Remarkably Bright Creatures.
Brb, bending the knee real quick 🙇#Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/imLcAHV4mq
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: Zendaya And Tom Holland Had Their Own Spotlight
Zendaya was another major celebrity presence at the ceremony. She arrived in a crystal-covered Prada gown and later sat beside Tom Holland inside the Peacock Theater. Zendaya was both a presenter and nominee. She presented the Lead Actress in a Comedy Series award, which went to Jean Smart.
Find me in line for the TomDaya meet & greet 💫#Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/mBZU6JytPr
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
She was also nominated for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for the third and final season of Euphoria. She ultimately lost to Rhea Seehornn but the nomination marked her third appearance in the category.
This moment between Jean Smart and Zendaya >>>#Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/ca9EWvrS8P
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
Zendaya had previously won the Emmy for the role of Rue Bennett in 2020 and 2022.
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: Marcello Hernández Had A Dinner Proposal For Zendaya And Spider-Man
Saturday Night Live star Marcello Hernández created another fun moment when he spotted Zendaya in the audience. Instead of simply presenting his award, Hernández decided to address her directly:
“I wanna say hi to Zendaya! You’re a beast and you’re amazing, and I saw you and I wanted to play it cool and I’ve decided I can’t do that. So I would like to invite you and Spider-Man to have dinner at my house,” he said.
“i would like to invite you and spider-man to have dinner at my house” 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/oq4LHQz61z
— chris ༯ (@chrislarbsyou) September 15, 2026
Zendaya and Holland laughed as Hernández extended the unusual invitation.
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: Dolly Parton, Catherine O’Hara Got A Special Tribute
The 2026 Emmys also took time to honour Dolly Parton, following her death the previous month. The ceremony featured a special tribute to the legendary singer, with Reba McEntire performing Parton’s Appalachian Memories.
Reba performs a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Dolly Parton 🦋#Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/rXV9kZrgGZ
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
Another touching tribute was dedicated to Catherine O’Hara. Her former Schitt’s Creek co-stars Dan Levy and Annie Murphy joined Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin to remember the late actor.
Catherine O’Hara was truly a mother to all ❤️#Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/nFa19QC7o6
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
The annual In Memoriam segment remembered several major figures from television and entertainment who died during the past year. Among those honoured were James Van Der Beek, Ted Turner, Eric Dane and Diane Ladd, among others.
Honoring those we’ve lost this year with a moving performance by Noah Kahan 🤍 #Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/HiDM1IiMik
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
Emmy Awards 2026 Highlights: Michael J. Fox Received The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award
One of the evening’s most heartfelt moments came when Michael J. Fox received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award.
Michael J. Fox, the legend that you are 👑#Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/BVwLSX9LKZ
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
