At this year’s Emmy Awards, the stage is set for what may be some very memorable surprises.
In comedy, 2024’s winner “Hacks,” which concluded on HBO Max in the spring, faces off against Apple TV newcomer “Widow’s Bay” — and the Matthew Rhys horror-comedy seems to have all the heat. In the limited series field, HBO’s “DTF St. Louis” dominated the pre-telecast awards, although competitors Netflix’s “Beef” and FX’s “Love Story” have vocal fans too. Over in drama, several shows are looking for an upset, even as returning champion — HBO Max’s “The Pitt” — looks primed to take the prize once more. Among the acting races, all eyes are on actress in a drama, where multiple nominees, including Rhea Seehorn of “Pluribus,” Carrie Coon of “The Gilded Age” and Keri Russell of “The Diplomat,” have never won in their long careers, one nominee, “Euphoria” star Zendaya, is a two-time champ already and Chase Infiniti (“The Testaments”) is a freshman challenger. Another one to watch: After his “Late Show” left the air in May, Stephen Colbert may get a victory lap with a variety series prize.
The telecast promises to feature nostalgic and sweet moments like cast reunions from “Charlie’s Angels” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” an In Memoriam segment with a performance by Noah Kahan and a special Dolly Parton tribute. It’s also a coming-out party for Mariska Hargitay as emcee. After nearly 30 seasons of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” the actress, already a two-time winner this year for her HBO documentary “My Mom Jayne,” steps into hosting an awards ceremony for the first time.
Here, Variety will be live-blogging all the best moments from the ceremony — including details from reporters inside the room at the Peacock Theater.