‘The Pitt’ and ‘Widow’s Bay’ claim top honors at Emmy Awards

Los Angeles – Emergency room drama “The Pitt” extended its Emmy reign with a second consecutive best drama trophy, while newcomer “Widow’s Bay” emerged as the comedy victor on Monday as television celebrated its biggest night.

“Widow’s Bay,” a horror comedy about a cursed New England town, overcame the final season of previous winner “Hacks” to earn the comedy prize. Hiro Murai was recognized in the outstanding directing in a comedy series category for “Widow’s Bay,” becoming the first director of Asian descent to win this award.

“Hacks” star Jean Smart won her fifth Emmy for portraying tenacious stand-up comic Deborah Vance, and Matthew Rhys became the first person to win two lead acting honors at the same ceremony, including one for “Widow’s Bay.”

Smart’s accolade made her the first performer to win the Emmy for best comedy actress for every season of a show’s run.

“What a ride this has been!” Smart said on stage after thanking the show’s creators.

Zendaya presents the outstanding lead actress in a comedy series award to Jean Smart onstage during the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. | AFP-JIJI

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who won best comedy actress for six of the seven seasons of “Veep,” is the only woman to come close to Smart’s milestone.

Rhys claimed awards for best comedy actor for Apple TV horror comedy “Widow’s Bay” and for best actor in a limited series for the Netflix psychological thriller “The Beast in Me.”

The Emmys offered a rare night of celebration as Hollywood grapples with production cutbacks, anxiety over artificial intelligence and the proposed Paramount Skydance purchase of HBO owner Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal that has divided the industry and faces legal challenges.

“The Pitt” star Noah Wyle said it felt “overwhelming” to land his second straight Emmy for playing Dr. “Robby” Robinavitch on the medical drama set in a Pittsburgh trauma center.

Describing himself as a “Hollywood kid,” Wyle told the Emmy audience, “This is the only club I’ve ever wanted to join. Thank you for accepting me.”

In other awards, “Widow’s Bay” star Stephen Root upset favorite Harrison Ford of “Shrinking” for best supporting actor in a comedy.

Best drama actress went to Rhea Seehorn, who plays a misanthropic woman at war with an unfailingly kind alien hive mind on the new Apple TV series “Pluribus.” It was her first Emmy win. Seehorn addressed her fellow nominees, including “The Diplomat” star Keri Russell and Zendaya of “Euphoria,” with a quote from the feminist activist Gloria Steinem, who died this month aged 92.

“We are linked, not ranked. I feel that way about all you women,” Seehorn said.

Emmy winners are chosen by the more than 27,000 writers, directors, performers, producers and craftspeople in the Television Academy.