The biggest names in television gathered at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Monday for the 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, where Zendaya, Selena Gomez, Mariska Hargitay and Nicole Kidman brought show-stopping style to the red carpet.
Zendaya, 30, proved metallics were the trend of the night in a daring silver Prada dress with a plunging neckline, paired with a pixie haircut. She posed solo on the carpet before husband Tom Holland, 30, joined her inside, where the newlyweds showed off their wedding rings.
Zendaya and Gomez Lead in Metallics
Zendaya served as one of the evening's star presenters and was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Rue Bennett in Euphoria, but lost to Rhea Seehorn for Pluribus.
Selena Gomez, 34, brought classic Hollywood glamour in a gold mirror Louis Vuitton gown and Tiffany & Co diamond jewelry. She walked the carpet alone as husband Benny Blanco skipped the event. Her series Only Murders in the Building was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series but lost to Widow's Bay.
Host Mariska Hargitay Commands Attention
Hargitay, 62, who hosted the ceremony, wore a shimmering off-the-shoulder red Monse gown and cozied up to husband Peter Hermann. The couple were joined by their children Andrew, 14, Amaya, 15, and August, 20.
Hollywood Royalty Turns Out in Force
Kidman, 59, wore a white Chanel dress with a plush feather trim across the bust, paired with black heels. Elle Fanning, 28, sparkled in an aquamarine Ralph Lauren gown with fringe detail, joined by sister Dakota Fanning in a monochrome look.
Florence Pugh wore an off-the-shoulder lilac Vivienne Westwood gown with a sparkling train, while Kristen Bell, 46, chose an ethereal white silk Alberta Ferretti dress with a one-shoulder cape. Claire Danes brought high-fashion edge in a metallic dress with an oversized one-shoulder sleeve, joined by husband Hugh Dancy.
Sarah Michelle Gellar stunned in a vivid pink dress and reunited with her Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star David Boreanaz. Gellar played Buffy Summers across the show's 144-episode run from 1997 to 2003, while Boreanaz portrayed her love interest Angel in 58 episodes.
Keri Russell sizzled in a backless halter leather dress alongside partner Matthew Rhys, who made history winning two leading Emmys in one night: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for The Beast in Me, and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Widow's Bay.
More Stars on the Carpet
Also turning heads were Jessica Belkin in a crimson bustier-gown with cone bra cups, Michelle Pfeiffer in a black gown with a glittering brooch, Emmy Rossum and Olivia Munn in black gowns, Chase Infiniti in a gold beaded gown, and Carey Mulligan in a sleeveless blue and white dress from The Row.
Harrison Ford was joined by wife Calista Flockhart in a vivid pink ruched gown. The Pitt's Supriya Ganesh led the early arrivals in a baby blue silk McQueen dress with a flirty ruffled hem, while co-stars Shabana Azeez wore gold and Fiona Dourif wore a red look by Thomas Hanisch. Noah Wyle was joined by wife Sara Wells.
Jaclyn Smith, 80, wore mint feathers, Abby Elliott chose a pink bustier-style Erdem gown with Jennifer Meyer jewelry, and Terri Seymour wore floral-embellished pink. Emilia Clarke wore lilac, Julia Garner wore metallic silver, and Sarah Snook wore an off-the-shoulder white gown.
Jon Hamm posed with pregnant wife Anna Osceola, 38, weeks after their baby news broke, while Kaley Cuoco, 40, showed off her baby bump with fiance Tom Pelphrey, 44; the pair are expecting a second daughter. Jean Smart wowed on the carpet before her win, and Allison Janney wore black with pink feathers ahead of her own award.
Widow's Bay Sweeps the Comedy Categories
Widow's Bay was the biggest winner of the night, taking all six categories it was nominated in, including Outstanding Comedy Series, beating Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Hacks, Margo's Got Money Troubles, Nobody Wants This, Only Murders in the Building and Shrinking. The show is set in a fictional cursed New England island town plagued by supernatural evils.
Matthew Rhys became the first actor to win two leading acting awards in different categories in a single night. Kate O'Flynn and Stephen Root also won for Outstanding Supporting Actress and Actor in a Comedy Series, while Katie Dippold and Hiro Murai won writing and directing honors for the episode 'Welcome to Widow's Bay.'
The Pitt Tops the Drama Field
On the drama side, The Pitt won Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Noah Wyle, 55, who beat Sterling K. Brown, Gary Oldman, Mark Ruffalo and Rufus Sewell. Wyle plays Dr. Michael 'Robby' Robinavitch, a hospital doctor dealing with trauma and post-COVID stress. The Pitt follows healthcare workers at a Pittsburgh hospital juggling personal crises and workplace politics.
Rhea Seehorn, 54, beat Zendaya for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Pluribus. Jean Smart, 75, earned her fifth consecutive Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series win for Hacks, which just wrapped its fifth and final season, accepting the award from Zendaya. Sally Field, 79, won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Remarkably Bright Creatures, beating Claire Danes, Carey Mulligan, Sarah Pidgeon and Sarah Snook.
Allison Janney won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for The Diplomat and Tom Pelphrey won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Task. DTF St. Louis won Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, The Traitors won Outstanding Reality Competition Program, and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert won Outstanding Variety Series.
Emotional Moments on Stage
Hargitay, the first woman to host the Emmys in 15 years, opened the show with a musical number featuring nods to Taylor Swift and Game of Thrones, and changed into a bejeweled silver gown and later a plunging black gown during the broadcast. Her delivery polarized viewers online, with some calling it 'cringe' and others 'funny as hell.' Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance in a skit parodying Hargitay's Law & Order: SVU.
Michael J. Fox, 65, left guests including his Shrinking co-star Harrison Ford and Nicole Kidman emotional as he discussed being diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 29 in 1991 and his early fears the disease would end his career. Fox was brought onstage in a wheelchair to join presenter and former The Good Wife co-star Julianna Margulies before accepting The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, telling the crowd, 'I don't have to surrender to this disease,' which earned a standing ovation.
Dolly Parton and Catherine O'Hara were honored in the In Memoriam segment, with Reba McEntire performing Parton's 1983 track 'Appalachian Memories' and Macaulay Culkin fighting back tears paying tribute to O'Hara. Jamie Lee Curtis paid tribute to director Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle, who were murdered at their home in December 2025; their son Nick Reiner, 33, has since been charged with murder and pleaded not guilty.
