Mariska Hargitay will host the 78th Emmy Awards, becoming the first woman in 15 years to lead television’s biggest awards ceremony.
According to Variety, NBC has chosen the Law and Order: Special Victims Unit star and executive producer to host the event, which will take place at the Peacock Theater in L.A. Live on Monday, September 14, at 8pm ET/5pm PT. NBC and Peacock will broadcast the ceremony live.
Hargitay’s selection marks the first time since 2011 that a woman will host the Emmys. That year, Jane Lynch hosted the ceremony for Fox.
In a statement, Hargitay said hosting the Emmys during NBC’s 100th anniversary year represents a special honour. She said her career has focused on bringing important stories to audiences and celebrating the people who create television.
NBC and the Television Academy selected Hargitay as host as part of the network’s centenary celebrations. Jen Neal, NBC/Peacock’s executive vice-president for live events and specials, praised Hargitay’s contribution to television and described her as one of the industry’s most respected figures.
Hargitay has played Captain Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit since 1999. The role has made her one of television’s most recognisable performers, and the series remains the longest-running primetime live-action drama in television history.
She won the Emmy Award for outstanding lead drama actress in 2006 for her performance in SVU. She received eight consecutive nominations in the category from 2004 to 2011. She also won a News and Documentary Emmy in 2017 as a producer of I Am Evidence, which won the best documentary award that year.
The actor has appeared at several Emmy ceremonies, including last year’s tribute marking the 35th anniversary of the Law & Order franchise. She has also served as a presenter at the awards multiple times.
Hargitay’s career also includes directing episodes of SVU, which will enter its 28th season this autumn and reach its 600th episode. She has won a Golden Globe Award and earned six nominations at the SAG-AFTRA Actor Awards.
The hosting role comes during a significant year for Hargitay. She recently made her Broadway debut in the solo play Every Brilliant Thing at the Hudson Theatre. Her personal documentary My Mom Jayne, which explores the life and legacy of her mother, Jayne Mansfield, has already received awards and entered Emmy consideration in the documentary special category.
The Emmy hosting announcement follows a successful year for Hargitay, who also celebrated the NBA championship victory of her favourite team, the New York Knicks.
Hargitay and her team will work with Jesse Collins Entertainment, which will produce the Emmy telecast for the fourth consecutive year. Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay will serve as executive producers.
The TV Academy will announce nominations for the 78th Emmy Awards on Wednesday, July 8. The announcement will stream live on Emmys.com.
The Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremonies will take place on September 5 and 6. Bob Bain Productions will produce the events in association with the Television Academy.
