Widow's Bay took home Outstanding Comedy Series at the 2026 Emmy Awards on Monday night, winning six awards during the main ceremony alone as part of a record-breaking 14 total across the ceremony and the Creative Arts Emmys.
Actor Matthew Rhys made history at the same ceremony, winning Lead Actor in a Comedy for his performance in Widow's Bay and Lead Actor in a Limited Series for The Beast in Me, taking home two acting Emmys in a single night.
The Pitt was named Outstanding Drama Series, while DTF St. Louis, starring Jason Bateman, David Harbour and Linda Cardellini, won Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.
Zendaya and Keri Russell both lost out on Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series to Rhea Seehorn, who won for her performance as Carol Sturka in Pluribus. Pluribus also picked up Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, with the honor going to creator Vince Gilligan.
"We will never agree on everything but we can show respect to one another, maybe even kindness, and we can stop listening to a relative few who tell us that that is for suckers, and who get their power from dividing us," Gilligan said in his acceptance speech.
Tributes to Catherine O'Hara and Rob and Michele Reiner
The ceremony's In Memoriam segment honored entertainment figures who died over the past year. Macaulay Culkin, Annie Murphy and Dan Levy took the stage to remember Catherine O'Hara, with Culkin recalling his onscreen mother from Home Alone, who died in January. Singer Noah Kahan followed with a cover of "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
Jamie Lee Curtis then paid tribute to her friends Rob and Michele Reiner, who were killed in December 2025. "He was generous and kind and funny as hell, and a friend to all. We all miss Rob and Michele, and all those we lost this year," she said, breaking down in tears.
Reiner also won a posthumous Emmy on Sunday for his role in The Bear at the Creative Arts Emmys, less than a year after his death.
Michael J Fox honored with humanitarian award
Michael J Fox, 65, received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his contributions to Parkinson's research and advocacy. The Back to the Future star was brought onstage in a wheelchair and joined by presenter Julianna Margulies, his former co-star on The Good Wife.
Fox spoke about being diagnosed with the brain disorder at age 29 and his fears that it would end his career, before vowing, "I don't have to surrender to this disease." His speech left celebrity guests, including his Shrinking co-star Harrison Ford and Nicole Kidman, visibly emotional.
Reba McEntire pays tribute to Dolly Parton
Reba McEntire delivered an emotional performance of Dolly Parton's song "Appalachian Memories" as part of a tribute to the country icon. McEntire and Parton have been close friends for more than 40 years.
Host draws criticism for musical numbers
Host Mariska Hargitay, the Law & Order: SVU star, faced backlash online for what fans called "cringe" musical numbers, with viewers describing several of her song renditions throughout the night as "agonizing."
Presenters Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey also drew laughs when they stalled on stage before announcing the final award of the night. "They told us we need to spend more time up here, that the show is going short," McConaughey said. "And the Emmy goes to - oh, are we supposed to stretch it out here a little bit?" Harrelson quipped.
Red carpet: Abby Elliott and newlyweds Zendaya and Tom Holland
The Bear actress Abby Elliott, 39, turned heads on the red carpet with a noticeably slimmer look. Elliott, who plays Natalie Berzatto on the FX series, wore a strapless light pink silk gown with a corset top and a draped wrap skirt.
Zendaya and Tom Holland made their first red carpet appearance as newlyweds after their surprise wedding, with both flashing their wedding rings. Despite missing out on the Lead Actress award, Zendaya appeared glowing throughout the night.
Taylor Swift skips ceremony for Travis Kelce's season opener
Taylor Swift, 36, did not attend the Emmys, instead cheering on her husband Travis Kelce, also 36, at the Kansas City Chiefs' season-opening game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. Swift watched from her usual seat in Kelce's luxury suite, joined by actor Tom Cruise. The couple married at Madison Square Garden on July 3.
