Mariska Hargitay, Star of 'Law & Order: SVU' to be First Female Host of Emmys in 15 Years

According to Variety, Mariska Hargitay will host the upcoming Emmys. The executive producer and star of “Law & Order: SVU” will be the first woman to do so in 15 years. The last time a woman hosted the Emmys was Jane Lynch in 2011.

Variety stated that not only is Hargitay the first female Emmy to host the Emmys in 15 years, but she’s just the third woman to host in this century. Previously, that included:

• Ellen DeGeneres in 2001

• Ellen DeGeneres in 2005

• Heidi Klum (co-hosted with Tom Bergeron, Howie Mandel, Jeff Probst, and Ryan Seacrest in 2008)

• Jane Lynch in 2011

The Emmys

Hargitay will take the stage at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT for the 78th Emmy Awards Ceremony, which airs live on NBC and Peacock.

Hargitay said in a statement.:

“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. Whether it’s an actor or a director, a costumer or a sound designer, we are all so privileged to take part in creating television that unites us. Regardless of how, where, or when we watch, we are together in our laughter, our tears, our love of stories — and our delighted anticipation to see what happens next.”

It will be a welcome occasion to see a female host the Emmys. It will also be good to see a host that is not a standup comedian. The last time NBC held the Emmys, in 2022, “Saturday Night Live” star Kenan Thompson hosted; and in 2018, NBC tapped “SNL Weekend Update” stars Michael Che and Colin Jost as Emmy hosts. Last year, standup Nate Bargatze hosted the telecast for CBS.

NBC/Peacock’s Jen Neal, the exec VP, live events and specials, noted that bringing in a key network player was in line with this year’s NBC 100 celebrations.

Neal said in a statement:

“Mariska has earned her place among television’s icons. Few performers have left the kind of mark on television that Mariska has. For 27 seasons, she has brought strength, compassion, and humanity to one of the most beloved characters on TV. As NBC celebrates 100 years of unforgettable storytelling, we can’t think of anyone more fitting to help celebrate the incredible legacy of television.”

Mariska Hargitay's Accomplishments

Mariska Hargitay is no stranger to the Emmy stage. She won the outstanding lead drama actress Emmy in 2006 for “SVU”; she’s been nominated in that category eight times (consecutively from 2004 to 2011). She also won a News and Documentary Emmy (administered by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) in 2017, as a producer on “I Am Evidence,” which won the best documentary category that year.

Also, Hargitay appeared at last year’s Emmy ceremony as part of a tribute to the 35th anniversary of the “Law & Order” franchise. And she has been a presenter on the telecast multiple times, including last year.

Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson

Having starred as Captain Olivia Benson on “SVU” since 1999 (making it the longest-running primetime live-action drama in television history), Hargitay has also won a Golden Globe and been nominated six times at the SAG-AFTRA Actor Awards.

Besides serving as star and executive producer on “SVU,” Hargitay is a director on the show, which enters its 28th season this fall on NBC and will hit its 600th episode.

Television Academy chair Cris Abrego said in a statement:

“Mariska is one of television’s most beloved stars, whose talent, authenticity and extraordinary connection with audiences have made her an enduring force in our industry and in culture. We’re so delighted to have her join us as the host of this year’s Emmys telecast and know that she will create an unforgettable evening honoring the very best of television.”

It’s been a big year for Hargitay, who just ended her Broadway debut stint in the solo play “Every Brilliant Thing” at the Hudson Theatre. And her personal documentary “My Mom Jayne,” which focuses on the life and legacy of her mother, Jayne Mansfield, has already won awards and is submitted for Emmy consideration this year in the documentary (special) category.

Mariska Hargitay's fans are looking forward to seeing her in a different role, this time without her badge and gun.