The 78th Emmy Awards delivered a night that confirmed most of the expected winners while still producing genuine surprises — and two performers walked away with pieces of history. Jean Smart capped the five-season run of “Hacks” with a fifth consecutive Lead Actress in a Comedy win, having now been honored in every season the show ever aired. Matthew Rhys achieved something no one else has: winning Lead Actor twice in one night, once in comedy and once in the limited series category.
Jean Smart with her big Emmy win (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
The evening’s runaway success, though, was Apple TV’s “Widow’s Bay.” The horror-comedy arrived at the main ceremony already carrying eight Creative Arts Emmys and added six more on the night, bringing its debut-season haul to 14 — the most wins ever recorded by a comedy series in a single year. Its trophy case included outstanding comedy series, lead and supporting acting wins, directing for Hiro Murai and writing for Katie Dippold. “The Pitt” claimed best drama series for the second year running and saw Noah Wyle repeat as Lead Actor, finishing with six Emmys overall despite 25 nominations — a sign that its crowded supporting-actor field ultimately split the vote. Those categories went instead to Allison Janney, for “The Diplomat,” and Tom Pelphrey, for “Task,” the latter earning his first career Emmy.
Kaitlin O’Flynn with her Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for “Widow’s Bay” (Photo: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
For “Hacks,” the farewell season carried real emotional weight but not the sweep its record 24 nominations had suggested. Beyond Smart’s win, the show’s only other trophy came earlier for editing at the Creative Arts ceremony, leaving it with two wins total. Still, Smart’s fifth statue — matching her win total to her season count — was one of the night’s defining moments. “What a journey this has been,” she told the audience.
Noah Wyle accepting the award for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for “The Pitt” (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Matthew Rhys’ double victory was arguably the rarer feat. He first won for the psychological thriller “The Beast in Me” in the limited series category, then returned to the stage hours later for his role in “Widow’s Bay,” prompting the room to rise to its feet. He closed his acceptance speech in Welsh, thanking his family and paying tribute to his homeland.
Surprises punctuated the rest of the ceremony. Steven Root’s win over 84-year-old Harrison Ford — the actor’s first real shot at an Emmy — stunned many observers. Saul Metzstein took drama directing honors for “Slow Horses” over stronger-tipped rivals. And Rhea Seehorn finally broke through, winning Lead Actress in a Drama for “Pluribus” after years of nominations for “Better Call Saul” without a single win.
Rhea Seehorn celebrates as Vince Gilligan wins the award for “Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series” for “Pluribus” (REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)
In the limited series race, “DTF St. Louis” topped the field with seven total Emmys, including supporting wins for David Harbour and Linda Cardellini. Sally Field pulled off an unexpected win of her own, taking home her fourth career Emmy for “Remarkably Bright Creatures.”
Sally Field with her award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series for “Remarkably Bright Creatures” (REUTERS/Mike Blake)
By the night’s end, “Widow’s Bay” stood well clear of the pack with 14 wins. “The Pitt,” “DTF St. Louis” and “The Traitors” tied with seven apiece, while “Pluribus” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” each collected six. “Hacks” left with only two — but one of them secured Jean Smart’s place in Emmy history.
Stephen Colbert with the award for Outstanding Variety Talk Series for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (REUTERS/Mike Blake)
