Emmy Awards 2026: Star-Studded Presenters and Tributes

The Emmys are rolling out a red-carpet of familiar faces and unexpected moments. Expect laughter, surprise reunions and at least one standing-ovation tribute when the 78th Emmy Awards air live Monday, September 14th.

Mariska Hargitay will guide the evening as host — an Emmy-winning presence who knows television from every angle: actor, director and producer. The show goes live from the Peacock Theater at 8 p.m. ET and will be available on NBC and Peacock. Simple enough. Big night, bigger stakes.

Today’s announcement from NBC and the Television Academy added dozens more presenters to a lineup that already reads like a who’s who of small-screen talent. Newly confirmed names include Steven Yeun, Awkwafina, Noah Beck, Scott Caan, Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma D'Arcy, Julia Garner, LL Cool J, Woody Harrelson, Hassie Harrison, Matthew McConaughey, John Mulaney, Brooks Nader, Emmy Rossum, Sofia Vergara and Shailene Woodley — among others. Earlier reveals had already teased arrivals from Odessa A'zion, Linda Cardellini, Macaulay Culkin, Alan Cumming, Sally Field, Jon Hamm, David Harbour, Marcelo Hernandez, Peter Kraus, Dan Levy, Julianna Margulies, Annie Murphy, Niecy Nash-Betts, Keke Palmer, Amanda Peet, Amy Poehler, Florence Pugh, Rachel Sennott and Zendaya.

There will be poignant moments woven between the acceptance speeches. Noah Kahan will perform a rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" during the in-memoriam segment, a choice that promises to be both tender and resonant. Television’s anniversaries also get their due: the 30th anniversary of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will be honored with David Boreanaz and Sarah Michelle Gellar in attendance, and the 50th anniversary of Charlie’s Angels will spotlight original stars Kate Jackson, Cheryl Ladd and Jaclyn Smith.

On the production side, Jesse Collins Entertainment partners Jesse Collins, Dion Harmon and Jeannie Rouzahn-Kelly join Hargitay as executive producers of the telecast. Media assets and press materials will be distributed through NBCU Media Village and the network’s official social channels throughout the evening.

Television nights like this are a reminder of why people still gather around screens: to celebrate storytellers, to catch a surprise cameo, to remember what shows meant to us. Tune in, because Monday promises both history and the kind of live, unpredictable moments only awards shows can deliver.