Mariska Hargitay set to host the 2026 Emmy Awards
Mariska Hargitay has been revealed as the host of the 2026 Emmy Awards, taking the mic for the 78th ceremony airing live on NBC and streaming on Peacock on Sept. 14. It matters because the pick signals a major hosting swing toward a dramatic TV icon—and, per reports, marks the first woman to host in 15 years.
Key Takeaways
- Mariska Hargitay will host the 78th Emmy Awards on Sept. 14, 2026.
- The show will air live on NBC and stream on Peacock from Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater.
- Hargitay called it her “great honor” in a statement announcing the news.
- The Television Academy praised her “extraordinary connection with audiences.”
For more celebrity breaking updates, visit BlasterPost’s Celebrity Breaking News.
When and where are the 2026 Emmy Awards airing?
The Television Academy says the 78th Emmy Awards will air live coast-to-coast on NBC and stream on Peacock on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
The ceremony is set to take place at the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles. The official announcement was published by the Television Academy, which is also promoting the telecast as part of NBC’s 100th birthday celebrations this fall.
You can read the Television Academy announcement here: Mariska Hargitay to Host 78th Emmy Awards on NBC.
What did Mariska Hargitay say about hosting the Emmys?
In a statement included with the announcement, Hargitay framed the moment as an extension of her work in television storytelling.
“Bringing important stories into the light has been the heartbeat of my career,” she said, adding, “It’s my great honor to host the 78th Emmy Awards — in the 100th birthday year of my beloved NBC — and celebrate this extraordinary community of storytellers.”
She also emphasized the many crafts behind TV, mentioning roles from actors and directors to costumers and sound designers, and described television as something that can unite audiences “regardless of how, where or when we watch.”
Why is this hosting choice being treated as a milestone?
Beyond the headline value of an A-list procedural star stepping into a high-profile live hosting role, coverage from The Daily Beast points to a broader milestone: it reports Hargitay is the first woman to host the Emmys in 15 years, since Jane Lynch hosted in 2011.
That framing has fueled immediate buzz because modern Emmys hosting slots have often leaned comedic, while Hargitay is primarily known for her long-running dramatic work in the Law & Order universe.
What has the Television Academy said about her as host?
Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego praised Hargitay as “one of television’s most beloved stars,” citing her “talent, authenticity and extraordinary connection with audiences.”
“We’re so delighted to have her join us as the host of this year’s Emmys telecast,” Abrego added, saying the Academy believes she will create “an unforgettable evening honoring the very best of television.”
People.com also reported the hosting reveal under the headline “Mariska Hargitay Revealed as Host of 2026 Emmy Awards: ‘It’s My Great Honor.’”