Javier Bardem used the Emmys red carpet to call for support of the "Free Palestine" movement, denouncing what he called genocide in Gaza and urging diplomatic and commercial pressure on Israel. The Oscar-winning actor said in an interview that aired during the 77th Emmy Awards that the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) had concluded the conflict met the definition of genocide and that sanctions and a blockade should be considered to stop the violence.
Bardem, 56, told Variety that he was "denouncing the genocide in Gaza" and asked viewers to back a commercial and diplomatic blockade and sanctions on Israel. His remarks came as several celebrities used the Emmys red carpet to make political statements, and amid reports of a boycott by some Israeli figures of the awards ceremony at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
The star-studded ceremony, broadcast live on CBS and streaming for Paramount+ premium subscribers, honored television achievements and drew a parade of nominees and presenters. Nate Bargatze, 46, made his debut as Emmys host and said he planned a relatively gentle approach to the telecast, avoiding "mean" jokes and favoring clean material. Bargatze was also competing in the Best Variety Special and Best Writing for a Variety Special categories for his stand-up special Your Friend, Nate Bargatze.
On the awards front, Apple TV+'s Severance led nominees with 27 nods, including Best Drama Series and multiple acting nominations. Colin Farrell's HBO series The Penguin followed with 24 nominations, and Apple TV+'s The Studio and HBO's The White Lotus season three were tied with 23 nominations apiece. Other leading contenders included The Last of Us with 16 nominations and both Andor and Hacks with 14 apiece. The Bear, The Pitt and Adolescence each received double-digit recognition, while Harrison Ford earned his first-ever Emmy nomination for his work in Apple TV+'s dramedy Shrinking.
The ceremony also highlighted an increasing crossover between film and television. Filmmakers Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard received acting nominations for guest appearances on Seth Rogen's Hollywood satire The Studio, underscoring continuing shifts in how prestige projects recruit high-profile film talent for television roles.
Presenters and attendees included a broad mix of film and television stars: Elizabeth Banks, Angela Bassett, Jason Bateman, Kathy Bates, Kristen Bell, Sterling K. Brown, Stephen Colbert, Jennifer Coolidge, Jude Law, Jenna Ortega, Sarah Paulson and Catherine Zeta-Jones, among others. The nominations reflected both returning favorites and emerging series, with Jean Smart again competing in comedy acting categories for Hacks and younger performers such as Hannah Einbinder receiving multiple nominations over recent years.
The Emmys telecast began at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT from the Peacock Theater and was available live on CBS with Paramount+ streaming options. Producers and networks said the ceremony would recognize the television season's creative achievements while navigating a night in which several attendees and presenters also used the platform to voice political and social positions.