Emmys 2026: What You Didn’t See on TV

Stars—They Also Have to Wait in Line

After the show, the attendees filed out and headed across the street to the Emmy gala, which took place in a giant tent at L.A. Live. For this year’s theme, “The Garden After Dark,” the room featured giant trees and plenty of foliage. But to get to this postshow oasis, everyone had to stand in line to have their ticket scanned. And no, there was no VIP express lane for stars. We spotted Paradise actor Sterling K. Brown and The Diplomat’s Rufus Sewell both patiently waiting with their friends. And further back in the line, we saw The Testaments’ Chase Infiniti, looking statuesque in her copper beaded Louis Vuitton gown, with the beads gently tapping against the pavement.

Mariska Breaks Bread

After successfully hosting the Emmys for the first time, Mariska Hargitay celebrated at the gala by holding court at a long table with friends and family. She was engrossed in conversation with her guests, but got up to greet any friends who came by to congratulate her on a job well-done. She was joined by her husband and three kids, sharing a sweet moment when her daughter came up behind her and wrapped her arms around her. Though she and her daughter walked the carpet in closely matching red Monse gowns, Hargitay attended the after-party in the black-and-white dress she’d worn during the show. And her hair was back to a bob after transforming all night.

Apple’s Big Night

It was a triumphant Emmy night for Apple TV—marking the first time the streamer beat HBO and Netflix to bring home the most statues of any platform, putting it on top of the prestige streaming heap. Widow’s Bay virtually swept the comedy categories, winning a total of 14 Emmys. Added to that were Pluribus’s six wins (including Rhea Seehorn for outstanding lead actress in a drama), as well as trophies for Slow Horses and Margo’s Got Money Troubles.

Many of Apple’s winners converged at the gala’s statue-engraving station. Pluribus creator Vince Gilligan and star Seehorn—neither of whom took home a single Emmy for their previous collaboration, Better Call Saul—looked absolutely jubilant as they clasped their golden prizes. Seehorn, who brought her family along, got some help taking off her high heels so that she could celebrate in barefoot comfort the rest of the night.

Just as Seehorn and Gilligan were finishing up, the Widow’s Bay gang appeared at the engraving station. Matthew Rhys, who went by the engraving station without his longtime partner, Keri Russell, held aloft three statues (he made history by winning two lead-acting awards, and Widow’s Bay also won for best comedy series) while fellow cast members and Emmy winners Stephen Root and Kate O’Flynn stood behind him, looking stunned. Hiro Murai (who won for directing Widow’s Bay) and O’Flynn shared a moment of pure joy: “Can you believe this?” she asked him. (By this point, maybe he could.)