Actress Mariska Hargitay to Host 2026 Emmy Awards as First Woman in 15 Years

July 8 () — Mariska Hargitay has been named host of the 78th Emmy Awards, becoming the first woman in 15 years to lead the ceremony.

The 2026 Emmy Awards will take place on September 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The ceremony will air live on NBC and stream on Peacock.

Hargitay is best known for playing Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” a role she has held since 1999. She won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2006 for her performance and has received eight additional Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe Award for the role.

“Bringing important stories into the light has been the heartbeat of my career,” Hargitay said. “It’s my great honor to host the 78th Emmy Awards in the 100th birthday year of my beloved NBC and celebrate this extraordinary community of storytellers.”

She added, “Whether it’s an actor or a director, a costumer or a sound designer, we are all so privileged to take part in creating television that unites us.”

Hargitay’s selection comes as NBC celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Beyond acting, she has worked as a producer and director, including on the 2025 documentary “My Mom Jayne,” which explores the life and legacy of her mother, actress Jayne Mansfield.

The last woman to host the Emmy Awards was Jane Lynch in 2011. Hargitay is also one of the few dramatic actors to take on the hosting role, which has traditionally been given to comedians.

Nominations for the 78th Emmy Awards will be announced on July 8, 2026, by the Television Academy.