Overview
- NBC announced Tuesday that Mariska Hargitay will host the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 14, 2026 at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater and the show will air live on NBC and stream on Peacock.
- The Television Academy released nominations on July 8 that include 39 women across the 12 primary acting categories, a slate reporters described as centering female performances for this edition of the Emmys.
- Hargitay is an Emmy-winning star and executive producer of Law & Order: SVU who has eight lead actress nominations, directed a documentary this year, and is slated to return to film the show's 28th season.
- Her selection marks the first solo female Emmy host in roughly 15 years, a gap reporters noted since Jane Lynch hosted in 2011, and NBC executives publicly praised Hargitay as one of television’s icons.
- NBC’s framing of the telecast during its 100th year could boost visibility for women across crafts and acting categories and may shape awards promotion on NBC and Peacock in the months leading to the show.