Mariska Hargitay, star of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has been named host of the 78th Emmy Awards, which will air on NBC on 14 September 2026. Her selection is notable because she is the first host in nearly two decades who is not primarily known for comedy — the last non-comedic hosting arrangement came in 2008, when five reality-host nominees shared the duties.

Hargitay, entering her 28th season on SVU — the longest-running primetime drama in American television history — won an Emmy for playing Olivia Benson in 2006 and has been nominated eight further times. She also won a News and Documentary Emmy in 2019 and her 2025 HBO documentary My Mom Jayne is eligible this year. Executives at NBC and the Television Academy praised her standing as a television icon, tying the hosting choice to NBC's 100th anniversary. Nominations are due to be announced on Wednesday, the Creative Arts awards will take place on 5 and 6 September, and Jesse Collins Entertainment is producing the telecast.