The 2026 Creative Arts Emmy Awards wrapped up their two-night celebration at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, handing out over 100 trophies across acting, technical and creative categories. The event took place on September 5 and 6, about a week before the main Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony scheduled for September 14.
Apple TV+’s horror-comedy Widow’s Bay emerged as the biggest winner of the weekend, collecting eight awards. Bad Bunny’s Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show followed closely with seven wins, while reality competition The Traitors secured six trophies. Other major winners included DTF St. Louis, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, The Pitt, Pluribus and Spider-Noir.
Widow’s Bay Leads With Eight Wins
The Apple TV+ series dominated the Creative Arts Emmys, picking up awards across multiple categories. Betty Gilpin won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in the show. The series also received recognition for its production design, casting and other technical achievements.
Bad Bunny Earns First Emmy
The Puerto Rican musician scored his first Emmy Award for The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny. The special won seven awards from nine nominations, including Outstanding Variety Special (Live), Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special, Outstanding Music Direction and Outstanding Choreography.
The halftime show became only the third Super Bowl halftime performance to win Outstanding Variety Special (Live).
The Traitors Takes Home Six Awards
Alan Cumming secured his third consecutive Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Programme. The Traitors also won for Outstanding Directing for a Reality Programme, Outstanding Production Design, Outstanding Cinematography and Outstanding Picture Editing.
Mariska Hargitay Wins Two Emmys for Personal Documentary
Mariska Hargitay, who is set to host the Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, won two awards for her documentary My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay. The film, which centers on her mother Jayne Mansfield, won Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Programme and Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special.
“The SVU star received Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program, while the film received Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special.”
Julie Andrews Makes History at Age 90
Julie Andrews won Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for Bridgerton, making Emmy history at the age of 90. She is the oldest winner in that category.
First-Time Emmy Winners
Several performers earned their first Emmy Awards during the two-night ceremony:
- David Harbour won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for DTF St. Louis
- Linda Cardellini won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for DTF St. Louis
- Shailene Woodley won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for Paradise
- Betty Gilpin won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for Widow’s Bay
- Sabrina Carpenter won Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) for The Muppet Show
- Octavia Spencer won Outstanding Narrator for Lost Women of Alaska: The Missing
Rob Reiner Receives Posthumous Emmy
The late Rob Reiner, who passed away nine months ago, received a posthumous Emmy for his guest appearance in The Bear. He won Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.
South Park Wins Outstanding Animated Program
South Park won Outstanding Animated Program for the episode “Sermon on the ‘Mount,” beating out Bob’s Burgers, Rick and Morty, The Simpsons, Smiling Friends and Star Wars: Visions.
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Scores Five Wins
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert collected five awards, including Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series. The show’s series finale episode received special recognition.
DTF St. Louis Dominates Limited Series Categories
DTF St. Louis had a strong showing in the limited or anthology series categories. David Harbour won Outstanding Supporting Actor, while Linda Cardellini took home Outstanding Supporting Actress. The series also won Outstanding Directing and Outstanding Picture Editing. Steven Conrad won Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for the show.
The Pitt Wins Guest Acting Honors
The Pitt, which entered the Emmy season as the most-nominated show with 25 nominations, picked up guest acting awards during the second night. Ernest Harden Jr. won Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work on the show.
Other Notable Winners
- Jeopardy! won Outstanding Game Show
- Jimmy Kimmel won Outstanding Host for a Game Show for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
- Love on the Spectrum won Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program
- Tucci in Italy won Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special
- Remarkably Bright Creatures won Outstanding Movie
- The Muppet Show won Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)
- Mr. Scorsese won Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
You May Also Like:
Event Details and Broadcast Information
The Creative Arts Emmys took place at the Peacock Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. Night 1 on September 5 was hosted by director Colin Hanks, Wanda Sykes, Julie Chen Moonves and Julianne Hough. Night 2 on September 6 was hosted by Noah Wyle, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Daveed Diggs.
The Television Academy presented the inaugural Legacy Award to I Love Lucy for its impact on the television industry.
The two nights will be edited into a single broadcast airing on FXX on September 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, and will be available to stream on Hulu the following day. The main 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Mariska Hargitay, will take place on September 14 and air live on NBC.
Also Read: Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter and Octavia Spencer Win Their First Emmy Awards
For more entertainment news, awards coverage and celebrity updates, keep reading VvipTimes for the latest from Hollywood and beyond.
Leave a Reply