Mariska Hargitay, the star of NBC's long-running crime drama "Law & Order: SVU," is set to host the 78th annual Emmy Awards, marking the first time a woman has headlined the event in 15 years. NBC announced Tuesday that Hargitay will host the ceremony celebrating television excellence.
Hargitay, who is preparing for her 28th season portraying NYPD Captain Olivia Benson, expressed her honor in a press release. "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," she stated.
She will be the first woman to host the Emmys since actress Jane Lynch in 2011. Previous hosts have included notable figures such as Jimmy Kimmel, Kenan Thompson, and Stephen Colbert.
While this marks Hargitay's first time hosting the awards, she is a familiar face at the ceremony. She has received eight Emmy nominations and secured one win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work on "SVU." Her accolades also include a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series Drama.
Beyond her acting career, Hargitay is the founder and former president of the Joyful Heart Foundation. The organization supports survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking. As a survivor of sexual assault herself, Hargitay has been a vocal advocate for ending the stigma faced by survivors.
Nominations for the 78th Emmy Awards are scheduled to be announced on Wednesday, July 8. The ceremony is slated to air on Sunday, September 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC and will also be available for streaming on Peacock.