Emmys 2026: Widow’s Bay dominates as Matthew Rhys and Jean Smart land historic wins
Rhys becomes first actor to win lead acting awards for different shows in the same night, while Hacks’ Smart is the first woman to win for every season of a show
TL;DR
- Matthew Rhys is the first actor to win lead acting awards for different shows in the same year.
- Rhys won for outstanding lead actor in a comedy ("Widow's Bay") and outstanding lead actor in a limited series ("The Beast in Me").
- Jean Smart is the first woman to win an Emmy for every season of a show, winning for "Hacks."
- "Widow's Bay" won 14 awards, including best comedy series.
- "The Pitt" won outstanding drama series and outstanding lead actor in a drama for Noah Wyle.
- Noah Wyle is the first drama actor to win consecutive Emmys since Bryan Cranston.
- Jean Smart and Alison Janney tied for the most acting Emmy wins with eight.
- DTF St Louis dominated limited/anthology series categories with seven wins.
- Stephen Colbert won for variety show for "The Late Show's" final season.
- Vince Gilligan accepted best writing in a drama for "Pluribus" and commented on the current reality.
- R Scott Gemmill accepted best drama for "The Pitt" and stressed the importance of honest storytelling.