Emmys, you have the right to remain impressed.
Today, NBC announced that Mariska Hargitay, an Emmy Award-winning actor, director, producer, and star of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, will host the 78th Emmys on Monday, Sept. 14, airing across NBC and Peacock from the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE.
“Bringing important stories into the light has been the heartbeat of my career. 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,” Hargitay said in a statement.
It’s a somewhat surprising choice for Emmys host, considering the show’s recent string of comedians or comedic actors emceeing the ceremony. However, Hargitay clearly has the clout for the task.
Jen Neal, evp, live events and specials, NBC & Peacock, noted that Hargitay is a TV icon, starring as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, the longest-running primetime live-action drama in TV history.
“Few performers have left the kind of mark on television that Mariska has,” Neal said. “For 27 seasons, she has brought strength, compassion, and humanity to one of the most beloved characters on TV. As NBC celebrates 100 years of unforgettable storytelling, we can’t think of anyone more fitting to help celebrate the incredible legacy of television.”
With the news, Hargitay reportedly becomes the first woman to host the Emmys in 15 years, with Jane Lynch last hosting the show in 2011.
While playing Benson, Hargitay has won an Emmy and received eight additional nominations, as well as a Golden Globe. In addition to starring in the series, she is an executive producer and director for the show, which will surpass 600 episodes in the fall.
With the choice, the Emmys will look to build on its recent ratings wins.
The 77th Emmys, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, hit a four-year viewership high, with 7.42 million viewers for its broadcast on CBS and Paramount+.
It was up 8% from the 2024 broadcast on ABC, which had around 6.9 million viewers.
Nominations for the 78th Emmys will be announced on Wednesday, July 8. Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay of Jesse Collins Entertainment will serve as executive producers of the telecast.
