2026 Creative Arts Emmys: Full Winners, and Cancelled Spider-Noir Still Cleaned Up

Ahead of next week's Primetime broadcast, the Creative Arts ceremony handed out its own share of memorable moments — including a cancelled show that still cleaned up.

What exactly are the Creative Arts Emmys, and how do they differ from the Primetime Emmys?

The Creative Arts Emmys cover categories like guest acting, casting, directing, writing, choreography, cinematography, and a wide range of technical and craft awards, presented in a separate ceremony roughly a week before the main Primetime Emmy broadcast, which focuses on the more widely publicized lead and supporting acting categories along with Best Drama, Comedy, and Limited Series. This year's Creative Arts ceremony aired across two nights, with a pre-taped, combined broadcast airing Saturday, September 12, on FXX, ahead of the live Primetime ceremony on September 14.

Which shows led this year's nominations overall?

HBO Max's medical drama The Pitt led all programs with 25 nominations. Hacks picked up 24 nominations for its fifth and final season, setting a new single-year nomination record for a comedy series. Apple TV's Pluribus followed with 18 nominations for its first season, notable given that its already-confirmed second season likely won't be eligible again for some time.

Who were the biggest winners across both nights?

Apple's Widow's Bay had a genuinely dominant night, winning guest acting for Betty Gilpin, along with casting, sound mixing, production design, cinematography, music supervision, music composition, and sound editing. The limited series DTF St. Louis swept both limited series supporting acting categories, with David Harbour winning supporting actor over his own co-star Jason Bateman, and Linda Cardellini winning supporting actress, while also sweeping the directing and writing races for series creator Steven Conrad and picking up wins for cinematography and picture editing.

What happened with Spider-Noir specifically, given it was already cancelled?

Genuinely one of the more notable storylines of the ceremony. Prime Video's Spider-Noir, cancelled by Amazon just days before the ceremony despite leading all Prime Video shows with 11 nominations, still won in stunt coordination, title design, special visual effects, cinematography, and sound editing, a real reminder that the show's cancellation reflected a business decision rather than any lack of genuine craft recognition from the television industry itself.

What other notable wins came out of the ceremony?

South Park won its fifth Emmy for Best Animated Program, its first win in that category since 2013. Shailene Woodley won her first career Emmy in the guest actor category for her work on Paradise. Mariska Hargitay, who's also set to host the Primetime ceremony, won two awards for My Mom Jayne, taking Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special and Best Directing. Antiques Roadshow won its first Emmy ever after 24 total nominations, taking Best Structured Reality Program. The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny, The Traitors, and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert were also among Saturday's biggest winners, along with The Muppet Show, which won for variety special.

Were there any other notable guest acting wins beyond Woodley and Gilpin?

Yes, in the drama guest actor category, Ernest Harden Jr. won for The Pitt, beating out a field that included Colman Domingo for Euphoria and Jonathan Pryce for Slow Horses. On the comedy side, Christopher McDonald won guest actor for Hacks, beating fellow nominees including Michael J. Fox and Brett Goldstein, both nominated for Shrinking.

How does this year's Hacks nomination total actually compare historically?

Genuinely record-setting. The show's 24 nominations for its fifth and final season represent a new single-year nomination record for a comedy series, a significant marker for a show closing out its run at what appears to be close to its creative and industry-recognized peak.

When does the actual Primetime Emmy ceremony air, and who's hosting?

September 14, 2026, on NBC and Peacock, more than a week after this Creative Arts weekend, with Mariska Hargitay, herself a Creative Arts winner this year for My Mom Jayne, hosting the main event.

Is the full Creative Arts ceremony available to watch anywhere?

Yes, a pre-taped broadcast combining coverage from both nights airs Saturday, September 12, at 8/7c on FXX, ahead of the live Primetime telecast two days later.

Frequently asked questions

When were the 2026 Creative Arts Emmys held? September 5 and 6, 2026, at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater.

Which show led this year's Emmy nominations overall? The Pitt led with 25 nominations, followed by Hacks with 24 and Pluribus with 18.

Did the cancelled Spider-Noir still win any Emmys? Yes, genuinely, winning in stunt coordination, title design, visual effects, cinematography, and sound editing despite its recent cancellation.

When does the Primetime Emmy ceremony air? September 14, 2026, on NBC and Peacock, hosted by Mariska Hargitay.

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