Watch: Christian Siriano Sent Gown Cross-Country Just Days Before Emmys 2026
There was no curse on Widow’s Bay at the 2026 Emmys.
Already an eight-time winner heading into the main ceremony hosted by Mariska Hargitay from L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater on Sept. 14, the Apple TV+ horror comedy vanquished the competition for Outstanding Comedy Series, while stars Matthew Rhys, Kate O’Flynn and Stephen Root took home acting trophies.
All told, the freshman darling won a record 14 Emmys between tonight and last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys to give it the most ever wins for a comedy in one year.
In other words, there was a lot to lament for the show’s star.
“You want to be the slow burn,” Rhys exclusively quipped to E! News backstage. “You don’t want this much attention in season one. You want to build to season five, like The Diplomat.”
Letting that shout-out to partner Keri Russell‘s critically acclaimed drama sink in for a few seconds, he added, “It’s all the pressure now, isn’t it? It’s downhill from here, this is the apex.”
Rhys also, incidentally, needed both hands for his history-making haul, having also won for lead actor in a limited series for his far darker performance in The Beast in Me. And presumably Russell is still going home with him.
Meanwhile, The Pitt, the most-nominated series headed into the night with 25 nods, repeated as Outstanding Drama Series and Noah Wyle also won his second statue for lead actor in a drama for a grand total of six wins for the HBO hit’s sophomore season.
But the stars came out to celebrate each other, win or lose, including past winners such as Euphoria‘s Zendaya (with husband Tom Holland in tow) and Hacks‘ Hannah Einbinder, whose shows signed off this past year after distinguished runs.
And, despite the Emmys being a celebration of all things TV, whether you stream your shows or watch them via something called a network, a lot can happen during a commercial break. Or at the tables, or backstage, or at the bar, let alone after the celebs have moved on to the after-parties.
So stick with us here and keep scrolling for charming, funny, surprising and heartwarming moments you didn’t see on TV:
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