The 2026 Emmy Awards became a night of records, with “Widow’s Bay” making Emmy history, Matthew Rhys achieving a feat no actor had managed before, and Jean Smart adding another milestone to her already decorated career.
“Widow’s Bay” was the biggest winner of the night, taking 14 awards from 19 nominations and setting a new record for the most Emmys won by a comedy series in a single year.
The Apple TV series won Outstanding Comedy Series, while Rhys, Kate O’Flynn and Stephen Root also took acting awards. Creator Katie Dippold won for writing, and Hiro Murai won for directing.
Rhys makes Emmy history
Rhys had perhaps the most unusual night of all. The actor won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for “Widow’s Bay” and then took Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for “The Beast in Me.”
That made him the first actor to win two lead acting Emmys in different categories in the same year.
His two victories also gave him wins across all three of the Emmys’ lead acting categories, following his earlier drama acting victory for “The Americans” in 2018.
Smart adds another milestone
Jean Smart also made history, although hers came from a much longer Emmy run.
The “Hacks” star won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the fifth consecutive time, becoming the first woman to win the category for every season of the same show.
The victory was Smart’s eighth acting Emmy, tying her with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Cloris Leachman for the most acting wins by a performer.
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‘The Pitt’ holds on to the drama crown
While “Widow’s Bay” dominated comedy, “The Pitt” remained on top of the drama field.
The medical drama won Outstanding Drama Series for the second consecutive year, while Noah Wyle again won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
“Pluribus” star Rhea Seehorn won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, while Tom Pelphrey and Allison Janney won the supporting acting awards for “Task” and “The Diplomat,” respectively.
More milestones across the night
The records extended beyond the headline winners.
Sally Field won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” At 79, she became the oldest actress to win the category.
Hiro Murai’s directing victory for “Widow’s Bay” also made him the first Asian director to win the comedy directing category.
“DTF St. Louis” won Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, while “The Traitors” took Outstanding Reality Competition Program and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” won Outstanding Variety Series.
The result was an Emmy night defined by performers and shows reaching milestones of their own.
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Bobbie Matias 
Maybelene Marcelino 
Geoffrey H. Latayan