The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, September 14, belonged to a breakout comedy and a hospital drama. Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay dominated the comedy categories, HBO Max’s The Pitt won Outstanding Drama Series, and Matthew Rhys pulled off a rare double by winning lead actor awards in two different categories. Mariska Hargitay hosted the ceremony at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
The big winners
- Outstanding Drama Series: The Pitt (HBO Max)
- Outstanding Comedy Series: Widow’s Bay (Apple TV)
- Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: DTF St. Louis (HBO)
Acting awards
- Lead Actor, Drama: Noah Wyle, The Pitt
- Lead Actress, Drama: Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus
- Lead Actor, Comedy: Matthew Rhys, Widow’s Bay
- Lead Actress, Comedy: Jean Smart, Hacks
- Lead Actor, Limited or Anthology: Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me
- Lead Actress, Limited or Anthology: Sally Field, Remarkably Bright Creatures
- Supporting Actor, Drama: Tom Pelphrey, Task
- Supporting Actress, Drama: Allison Janney, The Diplomat
- Supporting Actor, Comedy: Stephen Root, Widow’s Bay
- Supporting Actress, Comedy: Kate O’Flynn, Widow’s Bay
The night’s storylines
A comedy juggernaut. Widow’s Bay finished with 14 total wins, including six in major categories, across the main ceremony and the Creative Arts Emmys held on September 5 and 6. It won the lead actor and both supporting comedy acting awards along with the top prize.
Matthew Rhys makes history of his own. Winning lead actor in both comedy and limited series in the same year is a rare feat, and it highlighted the range of an actor best known for years of dramatic work.
The Pitt converts its nominations. The medical drama entered the night with 25 nominations, more than any other program, and turned that into the top drama award plus Noah Wyle’s lead actor win.
Apple TV tops the networks. Apple TV earned 28 Emmys in total, the most of any network, including nine in major categories. HBO and HBO Max led the nominations with 123 but did not convert at the same rate.
By the numbers
- 6.8 million: viewers for the ceremony on NBC and Peacock.
- 14: total wins for Widow’s Bay, the most of any program.
- 25: nominations for The Pitt, the most of any program.
Awards season now moves toward the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Follow it all in our Celebrity section.