Mariska Hargitay to Host 2026 Emmy Awards as The Pitt and Hacks Lead Historic Nomination Race

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will make history on September 14, 2026, when Mariska Hargitay becomes the first woman to host the ceremony in 15 years. The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star, who won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2006 for her portrayal of Olivia Benson, will preside over a ceremony that recognizes the best television that aired between June 2025 and May 2026. NBC will broadcast the event live, with simultaneous streaming on Peacock, while the Creative Arts Emmy Awards are scheduled for September 5 and 6.

The nominations, announced earlier this summer, revealed a tightly contested race dominated by two shows: The Pitt, which leads all programs with 25 nominations, and Hacks, which set a new comedy record with 24 nominations in its final season. The nomination totals signal a competitive year across categories, with traditional powerhouses like The Bear and The Crown facing stiff challenges from newcomers and longtime favorites making their final bids for recognition.

Hargitay's Historic Hosting Role

Mariska Hargitay's selection as host represents a shift in how the Emmys approach the role. The ceremony has cycled through a variety of hosting formats over the past decade, from traditional single hosts to celebrity duos to no host at all. Hargitay, who has spent more than two decades as one of television's most recognizable faces, brings star power and credibility to the role. Her Emmy win in 2006 gives her firsthand experience with the ceremony's emotional highs, and her long tenure on SVU has earned her respect across the industry.

Hargitay is the first woman to host the Primetime Emmys since Jane Lynch took the stage in 2011. In the years since, the ceremony has been dominated by male hosts or ensemble formats that spread the hosting duties across multiple presenters. Hargitay's solo hosting gig marks a return to a singular voice guiding the night, and her selection has been widely praised by critics and fans who view her as a safe yet inspired choice.

The hosting announcement came with widespread approval from industry insiders, who noted Hargitay's cultural impact and potential for a nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category. While she is not nominated this year, her presence on stage will remind audiences of her decades-long contributions to television and her status as one of the medium's most enduring stars.

The Pitt Dominates With 25 Nominations

The Pitt, a medical drama that debuted on streaming in 2025, entered the Emmy race with 25 nominations, the most of any program this year. The show, which follows the lives of doctors and nurses at a Pittsburgh hospital, has been praised for its realistic portrayal of the medical profession and its ensemble cast of established and emerging actors. The 25 nominations span categories including Outstanding Drama Series, acting, writing, directing, and technical achievements.

The show's dominance in the nomination count reflects a strong campaign by its distributor and a critical reception that elevated it above other dramas competing for attention. The Pitt faces competition from perennial contenders like The Crown and Succession, but its nomination haul suggests it has momentum heading into the ceremony. Whether that momentum translates into wins will depend on how voters assess the show's relatively brief track record against the legacy achievements of its competitors.

Hacks Makes Comedy History With 24 Nominations

Hacks set a new record for comedy series nominations with 24 nods in its final season, breaking the previous record held by 30 Rock. The show, which chronicles the relationship between a legendary stand-up comedian and a young comedy writer, has been a critical darling since its debut and has won multiple Emmys over its run. The final season, which aired earlier this year, brought closure to the show's central storylines while delivering some of its most critically acclaimed episodes.

The 24 nominations reflect not only the quality of Hacks' final season but also the industry's recognition of the show's cultural impact. Comedy series have historically struggled to match the nomination totals of dramas, which benefit from longer episode counts and more acting categories. Hacks' record-breaking haul signals a shift in how voters evaluate comedies, with the show's sharp writing, standout performances, and emotional depth earning it the kind of recognition typically reserved for prestige dramas.

Hacks faces competition from The Bear, another critically acclaimed comedy that blurs the line between comedy and drama, and Abbott Elementary, which has become a cultural phenomenon in its own right. The Outstanding Comedy Series race is expected to be one of the most competitive of the night, with voters split between rewarding Hacks' final season and recognizing newer shows that are still building their legacies.

Other Notable Nominations and Surprises

Beyond The Pitt and Hacks, the 2026 Emmy nominations delivered a mix of expected contenders and surprising inclusions. The Bear, which won Outstanding Comedy Series last year, returned with a strong nomination count, while traditional dramas like The Crown received recognition for their final seasons. Dancing With the Stars ended a 10-year nomination drought by earning a nod in the Outstanding Reality Competition Program category, a surprise that reflects the show's enduring popularity and recent creative reinvention.

The acting categories feature a mix of first-time nominees and perennial contenders. Several actors who have been nominated repeatedly in previous years are vying for their first wins, while newcomers are making their Emmy debuts with performances that have captured critical and audience attention. The diversity of nominees across categories reflects a television landscape that continues to expand, with streaming platforms, cable networks, and broadcast channels all competing for Emmy recognition.

What to Expect on Emmy Night

The September 14 ceremony will air live from Los Angeles, with Mariska Hargitay guiding the proceedings as categories are announced and winners take the stage. The Creative Arts Emmys, which honor technical and creative achievements, will be held the weekend before, with many of those awards influencing the momentum heading into the main ceremony. Voters will have cast their final ballots by the time the show airs, meaning the results are set—but the suspense of who takes home the trophies will unfold in real time.

The competition between The Pitt and Hacks for the night's top honors will dominate the conversation, but the ceremony will also serve as a celebration of television's breadth and diversity. From comedies to dramas to reality competitions, the 2026 Emmy nominations reflect a medium that continues to produce high-quality content across genres and platforms. Hargitay's hosting debut, combined with the historic nomination totals for The Pitt and Hacks, ensures the ceremony will be one of the most memorable in recent years.

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards air Sunday, September 14, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.