The 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is underway at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Monday, September 14, 2026, with final red carpet arrivals making their way into the venue. This year's celebration marks a significant milestone: the peacock blue carpet honours the 100th anniversary of NBC, the network broadcasting the ceremony.
Attendees have arrived in striking formal wear, with shades of Jessica Rabbit red, glittering gold and daring backless designs dominating the arrivals. Among those walking the carpet are Zendaya, Selena Gomez, Mariska Hargitay, Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell. Hargitay, who has already won two Creative Arts Emmys for My Mom Jayne, will also serve as host for the primetime ceremony.
Could a real-life couple make Emmy history tonight?
Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell represent one of television's most compelling storylines heading into the evening. The pair, who have been together since 2013, currently appear as on-screen lovers in their respective series. Should both secure acting victories tonight, they would become the first couple to win Emmys in the same year in four decades. More significantly, they would be the first real-life couple to win for performances in different programmes—Rhys potentially for Widow's Bay or The Beast in Me, and Russell for The Diplomat.
Previous couples have won Emmys, but under different circumstances. Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, who were married, both won for their work in The Magnificent Yankee. Similarly, William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett both claimed Emmys for their roles in St. Elsewhere—but again, for the same programme.
What records could fall tonight?
Several performers are positioned to make history across various categories. Harrison Ford, at 84 years old, could become the oldest winner in the supporting actor category for comedy, surpassing Henry Winkler, who won at 72 for Barry in 2018. If Stephen Root takes the prize instead for Widow's Bay, Winkler would still be displaced, as Root is 74. Neither would approach the record held by David Attenborough, who last year became the oldest Emmy winner ever at age 99.
Noah Wyle, at 55, could achieve a distinction rarely accomplished in drama categories. The performer added directing credits to his work on season two of his series and is widely expected to win the acting award for his role as Dr Robby. Should both victories materialise, Wyle would become the first to win both acting and directing Emmys on the same evening for drama. This feat has previously been accomplished in comedy by Seth Rogan and Donald Glover.
Which series are the frontrunners?
The medical drama entered tonight's ceremony with 25 nominations—the highest count of any series this year—and has already secured four Creative Arts Emmy wins. The second season generated some viewer debate due to its unflinching portrayal of workplace dynamics, including scenes where Wyle's character displayed problematic behaviour toward female colleagues. Despite this, the season appears positioned for substantial awards recognition. Industry observers anticipate victories for both Wyle and his co-star Katherine LaNasa, who plays beloved charge nurse Dana Evans, as both are expected to repeat their acting wins from the previous year.
According to reports on the Creative Arts Emmy results, Widow's Bay emerged as the biggest overall winner across the first two Creative Arts Emmy nights with eight prizes, positioning it as a major contender throughout the evening.
What about Apple TV's chances?
Apple TV has established itself as a comedy powerhouse, winning the best comedy category three times—twice for Ted Lasso and once for The Studio. However, the streamer has never claimed the best drama prize, despite producing acclaimed series such as Slow Horses and Severance. Tonight presents an opportunity to break that streak, with two best drama nominations: season five of Slow Horses and season one of Pluribus. The competition remains formidable, but Apple TV's expanded presence in the drama category reflects its growing influence in prestige television.
What happened at the Creative Arts Emmys?
The primetime ceremony was preceded by two nights of Creative Arts Emmy awards, which recognised technical and specialty categories before tonight's main event. According to the Creative Arts Emmy winners list, The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny led the first night with seven wins. The Puerto Rican superstar's performance set a record for the most Emmys won by any Super Bowl halftime show, surpassing the 2022 hip-hop performance featuring Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent, which took home three awards. Bad Bunny's show also became the first Spanish-language programme to win the live variety special category, with the artist winning recognition as both performer and producer.
The Traitors followed with six Creative Arts wins, including a third consecutive hosting award for Alan Cumming in the reality or reality competition programme category. According to Emmy coverage from the first night, Octavia Spencer won her first Emmy for narrating Lost Women of Alaska, claiming the prize in a category that also featured David Attenborough. Additionally, Sabrina Carpenter won her first Emmy as both executive producer and performer on The Muppet Show.
According to the full Creative Arts Emmy results, The Pitt and DTF St. Louis both accumulated multiple Creative Arts wins, including recognition in acting and directing categories, demonstrating the breadth of competition across the awards.
Notable red carpet moments
Zendaya made a striking entrance wearing a dazzling silver gown and sporting notably shorter hair than her recent appearances. Several nominees across the drama, comedy and limited series acting categories have been arriving throughout the evening, with each appearance generating significant attention from the assembled media.
Key facts
- The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony takes place on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with the red carpet featuring a peacock blue colour to mark NBC's 100th anniversary.
- Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell could become the first real-life couple to win Emmys for different programmes on the same night, and the first couple to win in the same year in 40 years.
- The medical drama leads all series with 25 nominations and has already won four Creative Arts Emmys, with Noah Wyle positioned to potentially win both acting and directing awards for drama on the same evening.
- Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show set a record with seven Emmy wins at the Creative Arts Emmys, becoming the first Spanish-language programme to win the live variety special category.
- Apple TV has two best drama nominations tonight but has never won the category despite producing acclaimed series, while the streamer has won best comedy three times.
