The star-studded 76th Emmy Awards was a night for celebrating television excellence, hosted by father-son duo Eugene Levy (A Mighty Wind, American Pie) and Dan Levy (Schitt’s Creek, Good Grief). The night was full of historic Academy wins, reunions, laughs and respectful tributes. Leading the night with Academy recognition was Shogun and Hacks, accepting awards left and right for the drama and comedy categories.
The night recognized many talented actors and actresses, but some wins left a huge mark on how the industry is changing for the better. Actress Anna Sawai (Pachinko, Ninja Assassin) took home the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in Shogun, becoming the first Asian actress to win in the category. Additionally, Liza Colón-Zayas (If, Cat Person) made history for the Latinx community as she took home the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Colón-Zayas’s performance in The Bear was recognized, making her the first Latina actress to win the category.
Pointing out progress was Emmy presenter John Leguizamo (John Wick: Chapter 2, Moulin Rouge!), who spoke on how the Emmys are improving diversity-wise. Leguizamo said, “What I see here tonight makes me, well, almost happy and certainly less angry, because tonight is among the most diverse list of nominees in Emmys history…Issa López is being recognized for “True Detective: Night Country,” which also had Indigenous actress Kali Reis in a lead role. Yes, sir. And Nava Mau, who was born in Mexico City and starred in “Baby Reindeer,” and she’s the first transgender person ever nominated for a limited series acting Emmy…But we need more stories from excluded groups: Black, Asian, Jewish, Arab, LGBTQ+ and disabled. And this show tonight is proof that our industry is making progress” via the Los Angeles Times.
The Emmys also reunited many beloved cast members of iconic shows, creating the stage for Happy Days, The West Wing, Schitt’s Creek and Saturday Night Live reunions. With the backdrop of Arnold’s Restaurant from Happy Days, Henry Winkler (Arrested Development, The Waterboy) and Ron Howard (Arrested Development, Apollo 13) were arm-in-arm for a segment. Standing in front of an Oval Office set were actors and actresses Allison Janney (Juno, The Help), Janel Moloney (The Leftovers, Alpha House), Martin Sheen (The Departed, Grace and Frankie), Richard Schiff (Man of Steel, The Good Doctor) and Dulé Hill (Psych, Ballers), back together as the cast of The West Wing via The Hollywood Reporter.Schitt’s Creek had a moment of recognition, as hosts Eugene and Dan Levy were joined by former castmates Annie Murphy (Kevin Can F**k Himself, Praise Petey) and Catherine O’Hara (Home Alone, Beetlejuice) for a nomination segment. In a clash between veteran and new SNL members, Maya Rudolph (Away We Go, Bridesmaids), Seth Meyers (Late Night with Seth Meyers, Documentary Now!) and Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters) shared the stage with Bowen Yang. The SNL members reunited to point fun at the show’s Emmy history.
O’Hara stole the show as presenter with the best bit when announcing the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series. Just as she is about to announce the winner, she hesitates and proclaims that everyone should win. O’Hara then rips up the Emmy announcement card, shocking the audience. The audience erupts with laughs as she plays up the bit and then proceeds to announce the winner.
Taking a moment to breathe from the awards was performer Jelly Roll (Wild Ones, Save Me) as he sang “I Am Not Okay” for the “In Memoriam” portion of the Emmys. The tribute highlighted TV industry professionals lost this year, with pictures and names flashing respectfully in succession. One name was the recently departed James Earl Jones (The Lion King, Star Wars: Episode V–The Empire Strikes Back)
Like any Emmys ceremony, there were surprises and throughlines. The ceremony made sure to highlight television archetypes in many segments, calling attention to favorite TV moms, dads, cops, coaches and lawyers. Additionally, there was a surprise win for Lamorne Morris (New Girl, Game Night) as he took home the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
And now, a recap of nominations and winners.
At the Creative Arts Emmys, the winners for Guest Actor/Actress in Drama and Comedy Series are as follows:
Michaela Coel (Chewing Gum, I May Destroy You) for Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Nestor Carbonell (The Morning Show, The Image of You) for Shogun
Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween, Freaky Friday) for The Bear
Jon Bernthal (The Wolf of Wall Street, The Walking Dead) for The Bear
The full list of Emmy nominees is listed below by category, and the winners are in bold.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
WINNER: Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “The Bear”
Lionel Boyce, “The Bear”
Paul W. Downs, “Hacks”
Paul Rudd, “Only Murders in the Building”
Tyler James Williams, “Abbott Elementary”
Bowen Yang, “Saturday Night Live”
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Winner: Billy Crudup, “The Morning Show”
Tadanobu Asano, “Shogun”
Mark Duplass, “The Morning Show”
Jon Hamm, “The Morning Show”
Takehiro Hira, “Shogun”
Jack Lowden, “Slow Horses”
Jonathan Pryce, “The Crown”
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Winner: Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”
Matt Berry, “What We Do in the Shadows”
Larry David, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”
Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, “Reservation Dogs”
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Winner: Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear”
Carol Burnett, “Palm Royale”
Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks”
Janelle James, “Abbott Elementary”
Sheryl Lee Ralph, “Abbott Elementary”
Meryl Streep, “Only Murders in the Building”
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Winner: Elizabeth Debicki, “The Crown”
Christine Baranski, “The Gilded Age”
Nicole Beharie, “The Morning Show”
Greta Lee, “The Morning Show”
Lesley Manville, “The Crown”
Karen Pittman, “The Morning Show”
Holland Taylor, “The Morning Show”
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Winner: Jean Smart, “Hacks”
Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”
Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building”
Maya Rudolph, “Loot”
Kristin Wiig, “Palm Royale”
OUTSTANDING REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM
Winner: “The Traitors”
“The Amazing Race”
“RuPaul’s Drag Race”
“Top Chef”
“The Voice”
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Winner: Jessica Gunning, “Baby Reindeer”
Dakota Fanning, “Ripley”
Lily Gladstone, “Under the Bridge”
Aja Naomi King, “Lessons in Chemistry”
Diane Lane, “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans”
Nava Mau, “Baby Reindeer”
Kali Reis, “True Detective: Night Country”
OUTSTANDING SCRIPTED VARIETY SERIES
Winner:“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”
“Saturday Night Live,” NBC
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A VARIETY SPECIAL
Winner: Alex Edelman, “Alex Edelman: Just For US”
Jaqueline Novak, “Get On Your Knees”
John Early, “John Early: Now More Than Ever
Mike Birbiglia, “Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man And The Pool”
The Oscars
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Winner: Steven Zaillian, “Ripley”
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
Winner: “Hacks”, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky
Abbott Elementary, Quinta Brunson
The Bear, Christopher Storer, Joanna Calo
Girls5eva, Meredith Scardino, Sam Means
Hacks, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky (WINNER)
The Other Two, Chris Kelly, Sarah Schneider
What We Do in the Shadows, Jake Bender, Zach Dunn
OUTSTANDING TALK SERIES
“The Daily Show”
“The Daily Show,” Comedy Central
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” ABC
“Late Night with Seth Meyers,” NBC
“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” CBS
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Winner: Lamorne Morris, “Fargo”
Jonathan Bailey, “Fellow Travelers”
Robert Downey Jr., “The Sympathizer”
Tom Goodman-Hill, “Baby Reindeer”
John Hawkes, “True Detective: Night Country”
Lewis Pullman, “Lessons in Chemistry”
Treat Williams, “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans”
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Winner: Will Smith, “Slow Horses”
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Winner: Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
Winner: Christopher Storer, “The Bear”
GOVERNORS AWARD
Winner: Greg Berlanti
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Winner: Frederick E.O. Toye, “Shogun”
Hiro Murai, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”
Saul Metzstein, “Slow Horses”
Stephen Daldry, “The Crown”
Mimi Leder, “The Morning Show”
Salli Richardson-Whitfield, “Winning Time: The Rise of the Laker Dynasty”
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Winner: Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”
Matt Bomer, “Fellow Travelers”
Jon Hamm, “Fargo”
Tom Hollander, “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans”
Andrew Scott, “Ripley”
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Winner: Jodie Foster, “True Detective: Night Country”
Brie Larson, “Lessons in Chemistry”
Juno Temple, “Fargo”
Sofia Vergara, “Griselda”
Naomi Watts, “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans”
OUTSTANDING LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES
Winner: “Baby Reindeer”
“Fargo”
“Lessons in Chemistry”
“Ripley”
“True Detective: Night Country”
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Winner: Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shogun”
Idris Elba, “Hijack”
Donald Glover, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”
Walter Goggins, “Fallout”
Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”
Dominic West, “The Crown”
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Winner: Anna Sawai, “Shogun”
Jennifer Aniston, “The Morning Show”
Carrie Coon, “The Gilded Age”
Maya Erskine, “Mr. And Mrs. Smith”
Imelda Staunton, “The Crown”
Reese Witherspoon, “The Morning Show”
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Winner: “Shogun”
“The Crown”
“Fallout”
“The Gilded Age”
“The Morning Show”
“Mr. & Mrs. Smith”
“Slow Horses”
“3 Body Problem”
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
Winner: “Hacks”
“Abbott Elementary”
“The Bear”
“Curb Your Enthusiasm”
“Only Murders in the Building”
“Palm Royale”
“Reservation Dogs”
“What We Do in the Shadows”