TV GOLD
'Widow's Bay,' 'Hacks' and 'The Pitt' win big
Mariska Hargitay performs an ode to TV screens during the opening number of the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 14 in Los Angeles.
Matthew Rhys won two lead acting awards — one for the comedy "Widow's Bay" and the other for limited series "The Beast in Me."
Jean Smart accepts the lead actress in a comedy series award for her role in "Hacks" for the fifth straight year.
78TH PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS
The creepy happenings at a fictional New England coastal town turned into Emmys gold. The Apple TV horror-dramedy "Widow's Bay" nabbed 14 awards among its 19 nominations, including the marquee categories of outstanding comedy, supporting actress in a comedy (Kate O'Flynn) and lead actor in a comedy for Matthew Rhys. Rhys also won lead actor in a limited series for Netflix's "The Beast in Me," making him the first person to win lead acting Emmys at the same ceremony.
"Widow's Bay" set an Emmy Awards record at the Sept. 14 ceremony for earning the most awards for a comedy series in a single year.
"Hacks" star Jean Smart also made history as the first woman to win lead actress in a comedy series for each of the five seasons of the show, which concluded in May. "Hacks" was up for 24 awards, but only Smart left victorious.
"What a ride this has been," Smart said as she concluded an acceptance speech that spotlighted show creators/producers Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky and Paul W. Downs.
Smart and Allison Janney — a surprise winner in supporting actress in drama for "The Diplomat" — joined Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Cloris Leachman for the all-time record for most acting wins, with eight each.
Noah Wyle landed his second consecutive win for lead actor in a drama series for his role as Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch on HBO Max's "The Pitt," which had a leading 25 nominations. The show also won outstanding drama series in a repeat performance from the 2025 Emmys.
Stephen Colbert, sporting a gray goatee, received vindication for his canceled "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," which won outstanding variety series for the second year in a row.
The annual feting of TV aired live from The Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and was hosted by a game Mariska Hargitay. The beloved "Law & Order" veteran was the first woman to host the Emmys since Jane Lynch in 2011.
WINNERS LIST
■ Drama series: "The Pitt."
■ Lead actress in a drama series: Rhea Seehorn, "Pluribus."
■ Lead actor in a drama series: Noah Wyle, "The Pitt."
■ Supporting actress in a drama series: Allison Janney, "The Diplomat."
■ Supporting actor in a drama series: Tom Pelphrey, "Task."
■ Directing for a drama series: Saul Metzstein, "Slow Horses."
■ Writing for a drama series: Vince Gilligan, "Pluribus."
■ Comedy series: "Widow's Bay."
■ Lead actress in a comedy series: Jean Smart, "Hacks."
■ Lead actor in a comedy series: Matthew Rhys, "Widow's Bay."
■ Supporting actress in a comedy series: Kate O'Flynn, "Widow's Bay."
■ Supporting actor in a comedy series: Stephen Root, "Widow's Bay."
■ Directing for a comedy series: Hiro Murai, "Widow's Bay."
■ Writing for a comedy series: Katie Dippold, "Widow's Bay."
■ Limited or anthology series: "DTF St. Louis."
■ Television movie: "Remarkably Bright Creatures."
■ Lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie: Sally Field, "Remarkably Bright Creatures."
■ Lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie: Matthew Rhys, "The Beast in Me."
■ Supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie: Linda Cardellini, "DTF St. Louis."
■ Supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie: David Harbour, "DTF St. Louis."
■ Directing for a limited or anthology series or movie: Steven Conrad, "DTF St. Louis."
■ Writing for a limited or anthology series or movie: Steven Conrad, "DTF St. Louis."
■ Variety series: "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."
■ Variety special (live): "The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny."
■ Writing for a variety series: "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."
■ Talk series: "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." Reality competition program: "The Traitors."
