«Emmy Awards» — 2026: winners and the stars’ most interesting looks
The biggest night in American television
The 78th «Emmy Awards» ceremony took place in Los Angeles, bringing together some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, as it traditionally does.
The night’s biggest winner was the horror comedy «The Widow’s Bay». The series won 14 of its 19 nominations – six awards during the main ceremony and another eight at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. The show was named Outstanding Comedy Series and also took home awards for writing and directing.
Lead actor Matthew Rhys made Emmy history by winning two awards in the same year – Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in «The Widow’s Bay» and for his performance in the miniseries «The Beast in Me».
The medical drama «The Pitt» was once again named Outstanding Drama Series, winning seven awards from 25 nominations. Noah Wyle also won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for the second year in a row.
Moving on to the miniseries categories, «DTF St. Louis» took home the top prize. Series creator Stephen Conrad also won awards for writing and directing.
Among the acting winners was Sally Field, who received the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series for «Remarkably Bright Creatures».
Rhea Seehorn was recognized for her performance in the drama series «The Better Sister».
Jean Smart also deserves a special mention. She won her fifth consecutive Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for «Hacks». With this victory, she matched Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the number of wins in the category.
The stars turned the red carpet into a fashion show
The winners were not the only ones in the spotlight that night. The «Emmy Awards» blue carpet turned into a true fashion runway, with stars opting for shimmering fabrics, delicate shades, classic silhouettes and striking details.
Zendaya was one of the night’s standout stars. The actress arrived in a sheer Prada gown covered in crystals. The dress featured a plunging neckline and shimmered under the camera flashes. Her new hairstyle also drew plenty of attention – Zendaya debuted a short pixie cut.
However, the most exciting moment came after her appearance on the carpet. Inside the ceremony, Zendaya reunited with her husband, Tom Holland. The couple rarely attend public events together, so their shared evening immediately drew attention.
Selena Gomez opted for a striking gold Louis Vuitton look. Her figure-hugging metallic gown was reminiscent of the Emmy statuette itself. The actress kept her jewelry to a minimum, allowing the dress to take center stage.
Nicole Kidman also caught everyone’s attention. After a nine-year absence, the actress returned to the «Emmy Awards» in a white Chanel gown. The dress featured voluminous feather details, creating a look that was both delicate and sculptural.
Lisa Kudrow chose understated elegance. The «Friends» star appeared in a long black Celine gown paired with a cropped jacket. Minimalist jewelry completed the look. Kudrow skipped bold experiments, but her appearance was effortlessly stylish.
Sisters Elle and Dakota Fanning also attracted plenty of attention. Elle chose a delicate mint Ralph Lauren gown. She paired the lightweight shimmering dress with Cartier jewelry.
Dakota, by contrast, opted for a striking black-and-white Carolina Herrera gown with a 1920s-inspired silhouette. A statement diamond piece completed the look.
Sarah Pidgeon became one of the most talked-about guests of the evening. The actress appeared in a lilac Chanel gown embellished with pearls and crystals. The look recalled the style of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, whom Pidgeon portrayed in the series «American Love Story».
Florence Pugh also embraced the soft lilac trend. Her Vivienne Westwood gown featured a corset-style bodice, draping and a long train. The result was romantic and distinctly Hollywood.
The ceremony also brought an exciting reunion between Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz. The «Buffy the Vampire Slayer» stars appeared together in public once again. Gellar dazzled in a pink Versace gown, while Boreanaz opted for a classic black suit. Their joint appearance was one of the evening’s most nostalgic moments.
Emilia Clarke also joined the lilac trend. She appeared in a Prada gown featuring an off-the-shoulder neckline, a fitted bodice and a long skirt. A lightweight cape and a statement detail at the slit completed the look.
Photos: @televisionacad, @cool_legendary2, @peacock_theater, @gossipeandomx, @maryellearchive, @sarahpidgeondaily, @davidboreanazfan_, @emilia._clarke
