Emmy awards 2026 live: Noah Wyle and Jean Smart win as Widow’s Bay cleans up

The 2026 Emmy Awards ceremony is set to take place tonight, with industry attention focused on a handful of frontrunners expected to dominate the evening: The Pitt, Pluribus, Hacks, and Widow's Bay. As the stars began arriving on the red carpet less than an hour before showtime, first-time host Mariska Hargitay, best known for her role as Detective Olivia Benson, made a glamorous entrance to kick off the night's proceedings.

The red carpet delivered its share of memorable moments, none more striking than the coordinated costume stunt from Hacks stars Meg Stalter and Paul W. Downs. In what is the show's final appearance at the Emmys, Stalter arrived dressed as Miss Emmy Trophy herself, complete with a gold overhead globe and angel wings, providing a playful contrast to the more traditionally dressed attendees posing nearby. The lighthearted moment became one of the evening's most photographed cutaways.

With the full list of winners and live coverage now underway, the ceremony marks a significant milestone for Hacks as it bids farewell to the awards circuit, while The Pitt, Pluribus, and Widow's Bay vie for top honors across their respective categories.