One of the most eagerly anticipated rendezvous in the television world is behind us. Held on the evening of September 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards witnessed both expected victories and surprises that went down in television history. Among the two most talked-about productions of the night, The Pitt held onto the top spot in the drama category, while Widow’s Bay, which skillfully blends dark humor with horror tones, practically swept the comedy branch.
The most unforgettable moment of the ceremony was undoubtedly the historic double victory achieved by Matthew Rhys. Rhys made history by winning both the lead actor award in a comedy series (Widow’s Bay) and the lead actor award in a limited series/anthology (The Beast in Me) on the same night—a first in Emmy history.
The Pitt Tradition Continues in Drama
Centering on the high tempo of an emergency room in Pittsburgh and the heavy pressure on healthcare workers, The Pitt proved its strength by being named Best Drama Series for the second consecutive time. Meanwhile, Noah Wyle, the driving force of the series, won the Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series award, taking home the second Emmy of his career.
Other highlighted titles in the drama category were shaped as follows:
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Best Lead Actress: Rhea Seehorn for her impressive performance in Pluribus. Coming after her nominations during the Better Call Saul era, this award was hailed by viewers and critics as a well-deserved recognition.
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Best Writing: Vince Gilligan for Pluribus.
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Best Supporting Actor: Tom Pelphrey for Task.
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Best Supporting Actress: Allison Janney for The Diplomat.
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Best Directing: Saul Metzstein for directing Slow Horses.
Widow’s Bay Storm in the Comedy Category
The undisputed champion of the night in the comedy branch was Widow’s Bay. Set in a cursed New England town, the comedy-horror series surpassed last year’s winner Hacks to claim the Best Comedy Series award. With its dominance in writing, directing, and acting categories, the production garnered a total of 14 Emmys, earning the title of the most-awarded show of the night.
Alongside Matthew Rhys, who was named Best Lead Actor in Comedy for his performance in the series, Stephen Root won Best Supporting Actor, and Kate O’Flynn picked up Best Supporting Actress. The series’ writing by Katie Dippold and directing by Hiro Murai were other links that brought awards at the ceremony.
The Best Lead Actress award in comedy went once again to Jean Smart, the veteran star of Hacks. Embracing an Emmy for the fifth time in the same role as Deborah Vance, Smart made history as the first person to win the lead actress in comedy award for every season of a series.
DTF St. Louis Came to the Forefront in Limited Series
In the limited or anthology series category, the Best Series award went to DTF St. Louis. Alongside the main category, the series also emerged victorious in writing and directing branches.
The acting awards in this category went to remarkable names:
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Best Lead Actor: Matthew Rhys for The Beast in Me.
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Best Lead Actress: Sally Field for Remarkably Bright Creatures.
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Supporting Roles: David Harbour and Linda Cardellini.
Other Highlighted Winners of the Night
This year, the Emmy jury rewarded the dynamics of different platforms and genres with a balanced distribution:
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Reality Competition: The Traitors (Total of 7 awards)
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Variety Program: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (Won 6 awards in its farewell season)
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Event/Show: Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny (Total of 7 awards)
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Short Form: Colbert Before Air and Inside The Pitt
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Other Notable Productions: The Pitt (6 awards), Pluribus (6 awards), and Spider-Noir (5 awards)
Did the Awards Go to Those Who Deserved Them?
The 78th Emmy Awards brought together both familiar and innovative faces of the television world on the same stage. While The Pitt proved its mettle once again in drama by maintaining its strong line, Widow’s Bay reaped the rewards of breaking comedy molds by blending dark humor with horror. Meanwhile, Matthew Rhys’s double victory and Jean Smart’s consistent success elevated the night beyond an ordinary list into an unforgettable event.
The fierce competition between Pluribus and The Pitt, along with the comedy rivalry between Widow’s Bay and Hacks, remains fresh in the memories of television fans. Do you think the statuettes truly reached those who deserved them at the 2026 Emmy Awards? What was the biggest surprise of the night for you?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which show won best drama series at the 2026 Emmy Awards? The Pitt won the award for best drama series. The show achieved victory in this category for the second consecutive time.
Which show was named best comedy series at the 2026 Emmy Awards? The best comedy series award went to Widow’s Bay. The production became the most-awarded show of the night with a total of 14 wins.
How many Emmys did Matthew Rhys win at the ceremony? Matthew Rhys won two different lead acting awards on the same night. He was named best lead actor in a comedy series for Widow’s Bay, and in a limited series/anthology category for The Beast in Me.
Which award did Jean Smart win? Jean Smart won the award for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in Hacks. This marked the actress’s fifth Emmy for the same role.
