![\"Adrian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Adrian_Horton,_L.png\")
Adrian Horton Photograph: Kevin Winter\/Getty Images<\/p>\nKey events<\/p>\n
WINNER: Stephen Root (Widow’s Bay) \u2014 supporting actor in a comedy seriesAdrian Horton Photograph: Kevin Winter\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
Widow\u2019s Bay is two for two so far, with the first Emmys<\/a> win for Stephen Root, playing the gruff heart, more or less, of the haunted would-be Martha\u2019s Vineyard.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m thrilled and delighted,\u201d he said, \u201cbut the reason I\u2019m up here is Katie Dipple, Katie Dipple, Katie Dipple\u201d \u2013 the show\u2019s creator \u2013 along with series director Hiro Murai and costars Rhys and O\u2019Flynn, whose \u201ccomic stylings\u201d are \u201cthe best thing in the 21st century\u201d (I\u2019ll take it!)<\/p>\n He also shouted out Harrison Ford, who would\u2019ve been the oldest Emmy winner ever had he won, for \u201call your many years of great, great acting.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a> An extra historic detail about Jean Smart\u2019s win for her performance on Hacks: this was her fifth award for lead comedy actress in five seasons, making her the first female performer ever to take home an Emmy for every season of a show. (Hacks finished this year.)<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.41 EDT<\/p>\n WINNER: Rhea Seehorn (Pluribus) \u2013 leading actress in a drama series Better Call Saul fans, rejoice! The beloved and perennially under-awarded star of Pluribus, twice nominated for her work in the Breaking Bad spin-off, is finally an Emmy winner for dramatic actress.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is me on a beta blocker, it\u2019s pretty bad,\u201d she jokes through tears, before thanking the show\u2019s cast and crew and fellow nominees \u2013 including, again, apparent Emmys<\/a> star Keri Russell, who it seems sent Seehorn a pre-show card quoting the late Gloria Steinem: \u201cWe are linked, not ranked.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI feel that way about all you women,\u201d says Seehorn, \u201cso thank you for that.\u201d<\/p>\n She also shouts out Pluribus\/Better Call Saul creator Vince Gilligan, \u201cfor giving me not only the role of a lifetime but creating sets where we all get to collaborate and we actually all get to feel safe to take risks as artists\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.41 EDT<\/p>\n WINNER: Allison Janney (The Diplomat) \u2013 supporting actress in a drama series Wow, it\u2019s a good day to be cheered by Keri Russell \u2013 her co-star in The Diplomat. Allison Janney is a bit of an upset in this category, which most pundits (myself included) assumed would go to one of the women from The Pitt<\/a>.<\/p>\n Like Rhys, Janney \u2013 who now has eight wins, the most for any actress in Emmys<\/a> history! \u2013 seems truly \u201cvery surprised and very grateful to be here\u201d. And she thanks, of course, \u201cthe coolest woman on the planet, Keri Russell\u201d, who stands and cheers.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.39 EDT<\/p>\n WINNER: Matthew Rhys (The Beast in Me) \u2013 lead actor in a limited or anthology series Oh, wow, I thought Matthew Rhys was a lock for best comedy actor (for Widow\u2019s Bay) but not this, which could make him a rare double winner tonight \u2026 and he seems a bit overwhelmed by the prospect? He says:<\/p>\n double quotation markThis is a real shock, not least because of the caliber and company of the actors in this category.<\/p>\n He shouts out the show\u2019s \u201choly trinity\u201d of writers and his \u201cintimidating scene partner\u201d, the one and only Claire Danes. The cutaway to Keri Russell beaming proudly is greatly appreciated!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.26 EDT<\/p>\n WINNER: Jean Smart (Hacks) \u2013 outstanding lead actress in a comedy series<\/p>\n \u200bJean Smart, who seems genuinely moved even after EIGHT Emmy wins (five from Hacks<\/a> alone), thanks the room, then orders all the men to stay standing and let the women sit down.<\/p>\n Smart now ties for the most acting wins in Primetime Emmy history, tied with Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus who also have eight. (Leachman also has a daytime Emmy.)<\/p>\n Jean Smart accepts the outstanding lead actress in a comedy series award for Hacks. Photograph: Kevin Winter\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.27 EDT<\/p>\n WINNER: Kate O’Flynn (Widow’s Bay) \u2013 supporting actress in a comedy series An early opening salvo for what could be a huge night for Widow\u2019s Bay! Kate O\u2019Flynn, arguably the best part of this delightful spooky series, seems genuinely shocked to win her first major US acting award.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the role of a lifetime,\u201d she beams, thanking the show\u2019s creators for \u201ctrusting this Lancashire lass to play a sassy broad like a Patricia\u201d:<\/p>\n She adds: \u201cThis is for all the Patricias out there\u201d \u2013 read: social outcast weirdos with a deadpan sense of humor and a knack for the attracting the occult \u2013 \u201cSee you at sunset cocktails.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.28 EDT<\/p>\n It’s showtime! And we\u2019re off! The stars are seated, host Mariska Hargitay has taken the stage and the 78th annual Primetime Emmy awards are under way. Everyone\u2019s fave Captain Olivia Benson is joined by none other than New York Knicks star (and her No 1 fan) Jalen Brunson for a pre-taped segment in which the two are steaming dresses, leading to a song in which she sings the praises of loving TV screens to the tune of I Love Rock\u2019n\u2019 Roll (with a little help from Jeff Hiller, Jean Smart and Jennifer Coolidge, who I wish was doing this montage instead \u2026)<\/p>\n Hargitay is, by her own admission, not a comedian but she fares better in the live element (perhaps it\u2019s that Broadway training!), taking the stage at the Peacock Theater with a joke about the seemingly 100-year tenure on Law & Order: SVU and being the first woman to host the Emmys<\/a> in 15 years. \u201cImagine that, for 15 straight years, Amy and Tina said no,\u201d she quipped.<\/p>\n After another bit botching the word \u201cfinale\u201d \u2013 \u201cI\u2019m sorry guys, I\u2019ve just never had one!\u201d \u2013 she takes a seemingly serious and sincere turn:<\/p>\n double quotation markI am truly, deeply moved and so incredibly grateful to be in a room full of people who have dedicated their lives to telling stories.<\/p>\n \u2026 which evolves into a parody of the heavily meme-d Nicole Kidman AMC intro, interrupted by Kidman herself. \u201cZip it movie lady, it\u2019s TV\u2019s night!\u201d Hargitay shouts. Onwards!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.29 EDT<\/p>\n Does Nicole Kidman rest? Fresh off the promo circuit for Practical Magic 2, the Aussie star is a late but always welcome addition to the red carpet:<\/p>\n Nicole Kidman. Photograph: Christopher Polk\/Deadline\/Getty ImagesFlorence Pugh. Photograph: Michael Buckner\/Variety\/Getty ImagesAllison Janney. Photograph: David Fisher\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.07 EDT<\/p>\n Just under 10 minutes to go now, and the last of the red carpet arrivals are hustling (I hope) into the theater\u2026<\/p>\n Jean Smart Photograph: Chelsea Lauren\/ShutterstockCarey Mulligan Photograph: Matt Baron\/BEI\/ShutterstockCharles Melton Photograph: Kevin Mazur\/Getty ImagesLove Story: John F Kennedy Jr & Carolyn Bessette star Sarah Pidgeon Photograph: Christopher Polk\/Deadline\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a> This year\u2019s red carpet is actually peacock blue this year \u2013 a colour switch to mark the 100th anniversary of NBC, which broadcasts the ceremony.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a sea of Jessica Rabbit red, glittering gold and bold backless dresses on the red carpet<\/a> before the 78th annual Primetime Emmy awards. Zendaya, Selena Gomez, Mariska Hargitay and power couple Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell have all arrived. The award for best effort surely goes to Hack\u2019s Meg Stalter (who can beat that?)<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.08 EDT<\/p>\n It could also be a big year for couple goals. The adorable Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell aren\u2019t just onscreen lovers, they\u2019re together in real life (since 2013, catch up!).<\/p>\n If they both win an Emmy tonight, they would be the first couple to do so in 40 years. They\u2019d also be the first real-life couple to win for different shows. Before them, married couple Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne took home two Emmys<\/a> for The Magnificent Yankee, and William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett both won for St Elsewhere.<\/p>\n This liveblog is rapidly becoming a Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell shrine. Photograph: Amy Sussman\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.06 EDT<\/p>\n Who will make history tonight? Several records could be broken at this year\u2019s Emmys<\/a>. Take Harrison Ford for example; the 84-year-old actor (who hasn\u2019t won an Emmy in his career yet) could become the oldest person to win the supporting actor category for comedy, taking the crown from Henry Winkler, who was 72 when he won for Barry in 2018. And if the prize goes to Stephen Root instead for Widow\u2019s Bay, Winkler still gets knocked off the plinth, as Root is 74.<\/p>\n Neither would be the oldest person to ever win an Emmy though \u2013 that title belongs to David Attenborough, who last year became the oldest Emmy winner in history, aged 99. A tough one to beat!<\/p>\n Noah Wyle (55 years young) could also make history as the first performer to win both acting and directing prizes for a drama series in the same year. The Pitt<\/a> star added a directing credit to his name on season two \u2013 and as Dr Robby is widely tipped to win the acting gong, Wyle could become the first to win both acting and directing Emmys on the same night for drama. The \u201cfor drama\u201d bit is important because this feat has been achieved before in comedy: by Seth Rogan and Donald Glover.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.05 EDT<\/p>\n There will be many eyes tonight on The Pitt<\/a>, which heads into tonight\u2019s telecast with 25 nominations, the most of any series this year (and it has already won four). The second season of this ER shift from hell may have garnered some pushback from viewers \u2013 it was tough, though I\u2019d argue realistic, to watch Noah Wyle\u2019s Dr Robby snipe, undermine and belittle some of his female coworkers \u2013 but I have little doubt the sophomore season will be an awards juggernaut again. My money\u2019s on Wyle and co-star Katherine LaNasa as beloved charge nurse Dana Evans to both repeat their acting wins this year.<\/p>\n While we\u2019re at it \u2026 my colleague Owen Myers and I took a crack at some predictions for tonight\u2019s awards:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.03 EDT<\/p>\n Just an interesting note re Apple TV, which has really come into its own over the last couple years: the streamer has won best comedy three times now (Ted Lasso twice and The Studio once) \u2013 but it has never won best drama, despite giving us great shows like Slow Horses and Severance. But Apple TV has two best drama nominations tonight \u2013 season five of Slow Horses and season one of Pluribus \u2013 so it could yet win TV\u2019s most prestigious prize (if The Pitt<\/a> somehow doesn\u2019t win it again).<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.46 EDT<\/p>\n Also making their grand entrance \u2026 my two faves, Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell, looking classy as ever. The Americans power couple turned once again dual nominees tonight could potentially become the first couple to win Emmys<\/a> for different shows (Widow\u2019s Bay and\/or The Beast in Me for him, The Diplomat for her).<\/p>\n Photograph: Michael Buckner\/Variety\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.04 EDT<\/p>\n Zendaya is here! With even shorter hair than she\u2019s been sporting of late and a dazzling silver gown that I will be examining from multiple angles:<\/p>\n Photograph: NBC\/Getty Images Photograph: Daniel Cole\/Reuters Photograph: Monica Schipper\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.04 EDT<\/p>\n Several of the best actress nominees \u2013 in drama, comedy and limited series \u2013 are making their way into the Peacock Theater:<\/p>\n Rhea Seehorn. Photograph: Michael Buckner\/Variety\/Getty ImagesElle Fanning. Photograph: Matt Baron\/BEI\/ShutterstockChase Infiniti. Photograph: Monica Schipper\/Getty ImagesQuinta Brunson. Photograph: Monica Schipper\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.54 EDT<\/p>\n Just a note on that Bad Bunny win at the un-televised night formerly known as the \u201cCreative Arts Emmys\u201d\u2026 the Puerto Rican superstar\u2019s groundbreaking performance smashed the record for Emmys<\/a> won by a Super Bowl half-time show, with seven total awards. (The only other Super Bowl half-time show to win for best live variety special \u2013 the 2022 hip-hop show starring Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent \u2013 took home three awards.) Bad Bunny\u2019s show, for which he won as both performer and producer, also became the first Spanish-language program to win live variety special. The big Bad Bunny year continues!<\/p>\n![\"Sian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Sian_Cain.png\")
Sian Cain<\/p>\nAdrian Horton Photograph: NBC\/Getty Images<\/p>\nAdrian Horton Photograph: Kevin Winter\/Getty Images<\/p>\nAdrian Horton<\/p>\nAdrian Horton Photograph: NBC\/Getty Images<\/p>\nAdrian HortonMariska Hargitay Photograph: Mario Anzuoni\/Reuters<\/p>\nAdrian Horton<\/p>\nAdrian Horton<\/p>\n![\"Emma](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Emma_Joyce.png\")
Emma Joyce<\/p>\nEmma Joyce<\/p>\nEmma Joyce<\/p>\nAdrian Horton Photograph: Landmark Media\/Alamy<\/p>\nSian Cain<\/p>\nAdrian Horton<\/p>\nAdrian Horton<\/p>\nAdrian Horton<\/p>\nAdrian Horton Photograph: Patrick T Fallon\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n