Emmy Awards Race Heats Up With ‘Widow’s Bay’ and ‘The Pitt’ in Focus

Television’s biggest night arrives Monday with the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, and two shows look set to dominate: the horror-comedy “Widow’s Bay” and the emergency-room drama “The Pitt.”

Apple TV’s “Widow’s Bay,” starring Matthew Rhys as the leader of a haunted, isolated New England island community, has become one of the year’s most buzzed-about debuts. The show has already picked up eight awards at the pre-gala ceremonies and is on track to become the most decorated comedy series in a single year, potentially topping the 13 trophies “The Studio” won last year. Christopher Rosen, deputy editor of the entertainment outlet The Ankler, told AFP that audiences have simply fallen for the show, and suggested Rhys, previously a drama Emmy winner for “The Americans,” could now claim his first comedy trophy.

That surge doesn’t bode well for “Hacks,” the comedy about a veteran stand-up and her chaotic young assistant, which appears headed for a single win at best: a best actress nod for Jean Smart in what would mark a fitting sendoff for the show’s final season. Smart, who turned 75 on Sunday, has already won four Emmys for the role, and a fifth would give her eight acting Emmys overall, tying Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Cloris Leachman for the most by any performer. Allison Janney is chasing the same milestone for her work on “The Diplomat.”

On the drama side, “The Pitt,” last year’s best drama winner, is the heavy favorite to repeat. The real-time hospital drama, which tackles issues ranging from abortion rights to immigration enforcement to mass shootings, led all nominees with 25 nods and has already claimed four early awards, including best casting. Rosen said it would be a genuine surprise if the show didn’t win. Star Noah Wyle, who has collected honors throughout the year, is expected to add another, while seven of his castmates are up for supporting acting prizes. The best drama actress race looks tighter, shaping up as a contest between Rhea Seehorn of “Pluribus” and Keri Russell of “The Diplomat.”

In the limited series categories, HBO Max’s “DTF St Louis,” centered on a messy midlife love triangle, enters the night as the frontrunner after picking up six earlier wins, including acting prizes for David Harbour and Linda Cardellini.

Mariska Hargitay, fresh off two Emmy wins for her documentary “My Mom Jayne,” will host the 78th Emmy Awards, which will include a tribute to the late Dolly Parton and a performance of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Noah Kahan during the broadcast’s In Memoriam segment. The night will also lean into nostalgia, with “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz, along with “Charlie’s Angels” alums Kate Jackson, Cheryl Ladd and Jaclyn Smith, joining the list of presenters. Zendaya, a past winner and current nominee for “Euphoria,” will also take the stage, all but guaranteeing a memorable red carpet moment.

The ceremony kicks off at 5:00 pm Monday.

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