Emmys 2026: Big winners, emotional tributes and more

Television's biggest stars gathered at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

ByMason Leib, Emily Shapiro, and Angeline Jane Bernabe via GMA logo
Last Updated: September 14, 2026, 11:07 PM EDT

Television's biggest night of the year is in the books!

The 78th Emmy Awards brought together television's biggest stars, shows and creators to celebrate the best of the small screen.

Mariska Hargitay hosted the event for the first time. "Widow's Bay" dominated a crowded field, ending the night with six wins on top of the eight wins the show took home previously at the Creative Arts Emmys, held earlier this month.

On Monday, "Widow's Bay" took home the awards for outstanding comedy series, as well as outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series, outstanding supporting actor, lead actor, writing and directing.

Continue below to see who won, red carpet arrivals, memorable speeches, reactions and more must-see moments.

Key Headlines

Here's how the events are unfolding. All times Eastern.
Sep 14, 2026, 9:49 PM EDT

'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' wins Emmy for outstanding variety series

"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" has won the Emmy for outstanding variety series after officially coming to an end in May 2026.

Stephen Colbert accepts the award for Outstanding Variety Series for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" onstage during the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, in Los Angeles, September 14, 2026.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Colbert said of his team, “Hire them. They will make your show better, and they will make your day easier.”

He also joked about having interviewed many audience members in attendance on his show.

"I want you to know that you were the perfect guest. The segment went great, and I'm sorry I forgot to play your clip," he said.

Other shows nominated in the category included "The Daily Show," "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" and "Saturday Night Live."

Sep 14, 2026, 9:41 PM EDT

Saul Metzstein wins outstanding directing for drama for 'Slow Horses'

Saul Metzstein won his first Emmy for outstanding directing for a drama series for “Slow Horses.”

Other directing nominees were Salli Richardson-Whitfield for "The Gilded Age" and "Task"; Hanelle M. Culpepper for "Paradise"; Noah Wyle for "The Pitt"; and Vince Gilligan for "Pluribus.”

Sep 14, 2026, 9:41 PM EDT

Allison Janney on why she didn't think she would win an Emmy tonight

Allison Janney was nearly speechless about her Emmy win in the outstanding supporting actress in a drama series category.

Allison Janney winner of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for "The Diplomat" poses in the press room during the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, Los Angeles on September 14, 2026.
Mike Blake/Reuters

After accepting the statuette onstage, she spoke with press in the media room and said she was "sure I wasn't going to win."

With her win, Janney tied the all-time record for the most Emmys by a performer, with eight. Actresses who also have eight acting Emmys include Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Jean Smart also achieved the milestone on Monday after winning outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for "Hacks." She reacted to her win by saying that she would love to "go on a road trip" with Smart, Leachman and Louis-Dreyfus, or "do a show" with all of them.

Sep 14, 2026, 9:29 PM EDT

Matthew Rhys wins lead actor in a comedy series, shouts out 'great and good people of Wales'

"Widow's Bay" actor Matthew Rhys won the Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series.

Rhys, a native of Wales, shouted out his home country in his acceptance speech.

"To the great and good people of Wales ... we are a small but mighty nation," he said.

Also nominated in the category were Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for "Wonder Man," Steve Carell for "Rooster," Jason Segel for "Shrinking" and Martin Short for "Only Murders in the Building."

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