Mariska Hargitay to Host 78th Emmy Awards
Mariska Hargitay to Host 78th Emmy Awards
Updated at: September 15, 2026 at 04:15 AM
On September 14, 2026, television history was made as Mariska Hargitay hosted the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock, the event was a major highlight of the year.
Hargitay, a long-time NBC icon famously known for her role as Captain Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, became the first solo female host of the Emmys since 2011.
Breaking from tradition, she brought her dramatic talent to a stage usually occupied by comedians.
This hosting gig served as a grand celebration during NBC’s 100th-anniversary year.
Between reaching the 600th episode milestone of her legendary series and a successful Broadway run, Hargitay proved that she is a versatile powerhouse.
Her performance at the 78th Emmys solidified her status not just as a beloved actor, but as a central figure in the cultural landscape of modern television.
