The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards air tonight, hosted by Mariska Hargitay, and “Emmy winners 2026” is already climbing as a search term hours before the ceremony even starts. The Creative Arts Emmys, handed out in the nights leading up to the main show, already gave a preview of how competitive this year’s race is. Here’s what’s worth knowing going in.
Hacks Set a Record Before the Main Ceremony Even Started
“Hacks” enters its fifth and final season with 24 nominations, a new single-year record for a comedy series. That kind of nomination haul usually translates into a strong night at the main ceremony, making it one of the shows to watch in the comedy categories.
Early Winners From the Creative Arts Emmys
- “DTF St. Louis” had a strong showing, with David Harbour and Linda Cardellini both winning supporting acting awards and Steven Conrad picking up the writing award for the limited series.
- Rob Reiner (“The Bear”) and Betty Gilpin (“Widow’s Bay”) won the guest actor and actress awards in comedy, while Shailene Woodley took guest actress in drama for “Paradise.”
- Alan Cumming won Outstanding Host for “The Traitors,” and Jimmy Kimmel picked up the game show hosting award as “Jeopardy!” won Outstanding Game Show.
- “South Park” won Outstanding Animated Program and Octavia Spencer won Outstanding Narrator.
What to Watch For Tonight
The major categories — Outstanding Drama and Comedy Series, and the lead acting races — are all still undecided heading into tonight’s broadcast. Drama series nominees include “The Pitt,” “Pluribus,” “Slow Horses,” “The Diplomat,” and “Your Friends & Neighbors,” among others, in what’s shaping up to be one of the more competitive drama fields in recent years. Expect “Emmy winners 2026” searches to spike again once the main categories are announced tonight.