New faces crash the party

The 78th Primetime Emmys handed out statues on Monday, September 14, and the nominee list hinted voters were ready to move past the usual repeat winners.

“voters are interested in sending some statues toward some new faces”

The Pitt led the nods

HBO's hospital drama came in with 25 nominations, the most of any show, after winning five awards in 2025. Stablemate Hacks trailed with 24.

“the show that is definitely not ER”

Apple's two debut swings

Widow's Bay, a supernatural comedy, landed 19 nominations for its first season. Pluribus, Vince Gilligan's apocalyptic vehicle for Rhea Seehorn, got 18.

A dramatic host

Mariska Hargitay emceed, breaking the tradition of a comedian in the job. She plays Olivia Benson, the longest-running character in American prime-time drama.

Widow's Bay swept comedy

Its pilot, "Welcome To Widow's Bay," won both writing and directing, for Katie Dippold and Hiro Murai. The show also took two of the three comedy acting races it entered.

Matthew Rhys won twice

He took lead actor in a comedy for Widow's Bay and lead actor in a limited series for The Beast in Me, beating Oscar Isaac and Jason Bateman in the second race.

Comedy's veterans held on

Jean Smart won lead actress again for Hacks, holding off Quinta Brunson and Ayo Edebiri. Stephen Root and Kate O'Flynn took the supporting comedy prizes for Widow's Bay.

Drama split three ways

Noah Wyle won lead actor for The Pitt and Rhea Seehorn won lead actress for Pluribus. Pluribus took drama writing for "We Is Us"; Slow Horses took directing for "Scars."

The Pitt got boxed out

Despite four of seven slots in supporting actress and three in supporting actor, its cast lost both. Allison Janney won for The Diplomat, Tom Pelphrey for Task.

Colbert and The Traitors

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert won variety series over The Daily Show and Last Week Tonight. The Traitors took reality competition, beating Survivor and RuPaul's Drag Race.