Mariska Hargitay is adding another major milestone to her already remarkable career. The Law & Order: SVU star and executive producer has been announced as the host of the 78th Emmy Awards, making her the first woman to lead television’s biggest night in 15 years.
The last woman to host the ceremony was Jane Lynch in 2011, making Hargitay’s appointment a significant moment for the awards show.
Best known for portraying Captain Olivia Benson, Hargitay has been a defining presence on television for nearly three decades. Since joining Law & Order: SVU in 1999, she has become one of the most recognizable faces on TV, helping shape one of the longest-running primetime dramas in history. Over the years, she has expanded her role beyond acting, serving as an executive producer and director on the series.
Her work has earned widespread recognition throughout her career. Hargitay won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2006 and has received multiple Emmy nominations for her portrayal of Benson. She has also been recognized with a Golden Globe and several Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, cementing her place as one of television’s most celebrated performers.
In a statement, Hargitay said she was honored to host the ceremony during NBC’s 100th anniversary year. She reflected on the power of storytelling to bring people together and praised the many creatives who work behind the scenes, from actors and directors to costume designers and sound teams, to make television possible.
NBC also celebrated the announcement, calling Hargitay one of television’s most beloved stars and highlighting the impact she has made over 27 seasons of Law & Order: SVU. Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego echoed that sentiment, describing her as an enduring force in both the television industry and popular culture.
The 78th Emmy Awards will air live on September 14 on NBC and Peacock. Beyond celebrating another year of outstanding television, this year’s ceremony will also mark the return of a woman host for the first time in over a decade.
