‘Law & Order’ Star Mariska Hargitay to Host the Emmys as First Woman in 15 Years

Hosting awards shows has become increasingly challenging over the last decade, with networks often opting for comedians to keep audiences engaged during lengthy acceptance speeches. However, this trend is set to shift significantly this fall.

NBC has been meticulously planning an extensive celebration for its 100th anniversary, integrating this milestone into everything from primetime scheduling to its major live events. This celebration now reaches one of television’s most esteemed nights, as the network has chosen a familiar face from its longest-running drama to lead the event.

Mariska Hargitay, the star and executive producer of ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,’ has been officially announced as the host of the 78th Emmy Awards, making her the first woman to take on this role in fifteen years. Hargitay will host the ceremony live from L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater on Monday, September 14, airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock. This marks her first time hosting the show, having previously appeared multiple times as a presenter.

“Bringing important stories into the light has been the heartbeat of my career. It’s my great honor to host the 78th Emmy Awards, in the 100th birthday year of my beloved NBC, and celebrate this extraordinary community of storytellers,” Hargitay said in a statement. Her selection makes her only the fourth woman this century to host the ceremony, following Ellen DeGeneres, Heidi Klum’s co-hosting stint, and Jane Lynch, who last held the role in 2011.

Television Academy chair Cris Abrego praised the decision to bring Hargitay into the hosting role, describing her as one of television’s most beloved and enduring figures. This sentiment reflects how deeply Hargitay’s presence resonates across nearly three decades of portraying Captain Olivia Benson since ‘SVU’ premiered in 1999, making it the longest-running primetime live-action drama in American television history.

Hargitay’s connection to the Emmys goes beyond her hosting duties. She won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series award in 2006 for her role on ‘SVU’ and has received eight additional nominations for the same part. Furthermore, she won a News and Documentary Emmy in 2019 for producing ‘I Am Evidence,’ and her 2025 HBO documentary about her late mother, Jayne Mansfield, titled ‘My Mom Jayne,’ remains eligible for consideration at this year’s ceremony.

Despite her extensive résumé, Hargitay revealed that the offer wasn’t an immediate yes. During an August 13 appearance on ‘Today,’ she recounted receiving the call from NBC’s network head while backstage at a stage production, initially thinking she might be getting fired before realizing the network wanted her to host the Emmys instead. She admitted it took her some time to process the unexpected request.

Hargitay’s selection is particularly significant as ‘SVU’ enters its 28th season this fall and is set to reach its 600th episode, underscoring her character’s centrality to television history. She appeared at last year’s Emmy ceremony as part of a tribute marking the ‘Law & Order’ franchise’s 35th anniversary, making this year’s hosting role feel like a natural extension of her ongoing relationship with the awards show.

Nominations for the 78th Emmy Awards were announced ahead of the ceremony, setting the stage for what promises to be a memorable night for both the competing shows and performers, as well as for Hargitay’s hosting debut. Given how rarely dramatic actors are chosen to lead these ceremonies compared to comedians, her selection is a genuinely unconventional yet well-received choice from NBC and the Television Academy.

With the ceremony just weeks away, all eyes will be on whether Hargitay’s blend of warmth and gravitas translates smoothly into the comedic timing typically expected from awards show hosts.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!