2026 Emmy Awards Highlights: The Pitt and Widow's Bay Dominate Major Categories

Widow's Bay star Stephen Root delivered one of the biggest surprises of the night at the Emmy Awards on Monday, defeating favourite Harrison Ford of Shrinking to claim the award for best supporting actor in a comedy. Meanwhile, Jean Smart made history by securing her fifth Emmy for Hacks, becoming the first performer to win best comedy actress for every single season of a show's run. The HBO Max series broadcasted its fifth and final season this year.

In the drama categories, Noah Wyle triumphed as best drama actor for his portrayal of an emergency room doctor in The Pitt, while Rhea Seehorn earned the best drama actress award for Apple TV's Pluribus. Mariska Hargitay of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit hosted the ceremony, stepping away from the recent tradition of having comedians helm the event.

Main Winners of the 2026 Emmy Awards

• Best drama series: The Pitt
• Best comedy series: Widow’s Bay
• Lead actor in a drama series: Noah Wyle, The Pitt
• Lead actress in a drama series: Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus
• Supporting actor in a drama series: Tom Pelphrey, Task
• Supporting actress in a drama series: Allison Janney, The Diplomat
• Lead actor in a comedy series: Matthew Rhys, Widow’s Bay
• Lead actress in a comedy series: Jean Smart, Hacks
• Supporting actor in a comedy series: Stephen Root, Widow’s Bay
• Supporting actress in a comedy series: Kate O’Flynn, Widow’s Bay
• Best limited or anthology series: DTF St Louis
• Lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie: Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me
• Lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie: Sally Field, Remarkably Bright Creatures
• Reality competition series: The Traitors
• Variety series: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert