Mariska Hargitay will front this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards, making her the first female host in 15 years.
Mariska Hargitay is to host this year’s Emmy Awards, making her the first woman to do so in 15 years.
The Law and Order: SVU actress will take to the stage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on 14 September to present the annual event, which honours excellence in television, and hailed it a “great honour” to be involved in the telecast, particularly in a milestone year for broadcaster NBC.
She said in a statement: “Bringing important stories into the light has been the heartbeat of my career. It’s my great honour to host the 78th Emmy Awards — in the 100th birthday year of my beloved NBC — and celebrate this extraordinary community of storytellers.
“Whether it’s an actor or a director, a costumer or a sound designer, we are all so privileged to take part in creating television that unites us. Regardless of how, where or when we watch, we are together in our laughter, our tears, our love of stories — and our delighted anticipation to see what happens next.”
NBC/Peacock are delighted to have secured the services of a television “icon”.
Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events and Specials, said in a statement: “Mariska has earned her place among television’s icons.
“Few performers have left the kind of mark on television that Mariska has. 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.”
Television Academy chair Cris Abrego added: “Mariska is one of television’s most beloved stars, whose talent, authenticity and extraordinary connection with audiences have made her an enduring force in our industry and in culture.
“We’re so delighted to have her join us as the host of this year’s Emmys telecast and know that she will create an unforgettable evening honouring the very best of television.”
Jane Lynch was the last woman to host the Emmy awards, for Fox back in 2011, and only two other women have fronted the ceremony in the last century. Ellen DeGeneres took the reins in 2001 and 2005, and Heidi Klum was part of a presenting team that also included Tom Bergeron, Howie Mandel, Jeff Probst and Ryan Seacrest back in 2008.
The Emmy Awards are broadcast in rotation among the four major US TV networks – ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC – and last year, Nate Bargatze fronted the ceremony for CBS.
Nominations for the Emmy Awards will be announced on Wednesday (08.07.26).
Mariska Hargitay to host Emmy Awards
