Home / Arts and Entertainment / Emmys 2026: Historic Wins & Unforgettable Moments
Emmys 2026: Historic Wins & Unforgettable Moments
14 Sep
Summary
- Mariska Hargitay made history as the first Law & Order cast member to win an Emmy.
- Anna Sawai became the first Japanese actress to win any Primetime Emmy award.
- James Gandolfini was the first actor to win an Emmy for an HBO show.
The 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled to air tonight on NBC and Peacock, concluding a lengthy awards season. This year's event is anticipated to feature significant milestones and surprising outcomes.
Among the notable historic wins highlighted are Mariska Hargitay's 2006 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Law & Order: SVU, making her the first regular cast member to win for any Law & Order series. In 2024, Anna Sawai achieved a significant first, becoming the first Japanese actress to win a Primetime Emmy for her role in Shogun.
Another landmark achievement was James Gandolfini's 2000 win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for The Sopranos, marking the first Emmy award for an HBO show. These victories, alongside others like Viola Davis's 2015 win for How to Get Away With Murder as the first Black woman to win for Best Actress in a Drama, underscore the evolving landscape of television recognition.
