Emmy Awards 2026 winners list - USA Today

The 2026 Emmy Awards are lauding perennial favorites, throwing in some surprises and vindicating Stephen Colbert.

"Hacks" star Jean Smart made history as the first woman to win outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for each of the five seasons of the show, which concluded in May. "Hacks" is vying for 24 honors at the show.

"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.

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 has a leading 25 nominations at the Sept. 14 event.

"This is all I've ever wanted to do, and the only club I've wanted to join," Wyle said. "Thank you for accepting me."

The Apple TV horror-dramedy "Widow's Bay" earned an impressive 19 mentions and heard the show's name mentioned frequently. Among the "Widow's Bay" haul were for comedy writing, directing, supporting actress comedy (Kate O'Flynn) and lead actor in a comedy for star 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 in the same ceremony.

Colbert, sporting a gray goatee, hoisted the trophy for best variety show for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" - which was canceled in May - and used his speech to praise his writers. "Hire them and they will make your show better," he said.

The annual feting of TV airs live from The Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and on NBC and Peacock.

Mariska Hargitay, the beloved "Law & Order" veteran, is the first woman to host the awards show since Jane Lynch in 2011.

Eligible shows aired or streamed between June 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026.

Here are the Emmy winners (in bold).

Sterling K. Brown, “Paradise” (Hulu)

Linda Cardellini, “DTF St. Louis” (HBO Max)

Joy Sunday, “DTF St. Louis” (HBO Max)

Jason Bateman, “DTF St. Louis” (HBO Max)

David Harbour, “DTF St. Louis” (HBO Max)

Richard Jenkins, “DTF St. Louis” (HBO Max)

Michael J. Fox, “Shrinking” (Apple TV)

Ernest Harden Jr., "The Pitt" (HBO Max)

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