Mariska Hargitay to host 2026 Emmys, becoming first woman to do so in 15 years

Hargitay will host the ceremony on September 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles

Mariska Hargitay is set to make Emmy Awards history after being announced as the host of the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the first woman to emcee television's biggest night in 15 years.

The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star will host the ceremony on September 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The event will air live on NBC and stream on Peacock as part of the network's 100th anniversary celebrations.

Hargitay, 62, expressed her excitement in a statement following the announcement.

"It's my great honour to host the Emmys. Television has the power to bring us together, to inspire us and to tell stories that matter, and I'm thrilled to celebrate the incredible artists and creators who make that possible."

The actress becomes the first solo female host of the Primetime Emmys since Jane Lynch hosted the ceremony in 2011, ending a 15-year gap without a woman leading the awards show.

Best known for portraying Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Hargitay has become one of television's most recognisable stars. She won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2006 and has earned eight Emmy nominations for the role.

Beyond acting, Hargitay is also receiving awards-season attention for directing and producing the documentary My Mom Jayne, which explores the life of her mother, actress Jayne Mansfield.

NBC executives praised Hargitay's warmth, authenticity and decades-long contribution to television, saying she embodies the spirit of the Emmys and is the ideal choice to lead this year's celebration.

The announcement comes as Emmy nominations are being unveiled, with major contenders expected to include acclaimed series such as The Pitt and Pluribus.