From Tom Holland’s surprise appearance to Carrie Coon being the ultimate Rhea Seehorn fangirl, here are some of the best behind-the-scenes moments from the 2026 Emmys
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Rhea-Seehorn-and-Carrie-Coon-091426-cf35a13285054d32960886ab275c712e.jpg "Rhea Seehorn and Carrie Coon attend the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Peacock")
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
From historic wins for Jean Smart, Allison Janney and Matthew Rhys, to Mariska Hargitay breaking out in song (more than once!), to the touching tributes, the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards had something for everyone — and many of the best moments made the broadcast.
However, there were plenty more moments that took place inside the Peacock Theater that you may have missed. From Tom Holland’s sneaky appearance to Carrie Coon being the ultimate Rhea Seehorn fangirl to plenty of costar reunions, here are the best behind-the-scenes moments from the Emmy Awards.
Related: See the Best Dressed Stars on the Emmys 2026 Red Carpet!
01 of 29
She’s a Cool Mom
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Jean Smart introduces her 18-year-old son, Forrest Gilliland, to Mariska Hargitay during a moment of downtime.
02 of 29
Sharing Support
Credit: Danny Moloshok/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services
Martin Short and Dan Levy, who both shared close relationships with the late Catherine O’Hara, appear to comfort each other during the show. Levy was one of her three onscreen children — in addition to Macaulay Culkin and Annie Murphy — who paid tribute to her during the In Memoriam segment.
03 of 29
He’s a Wife Guy
Credit: Rich Polk/Variety via Getty
Tom Holland skipped the carpet but was spotted greeting fellow attendees inside the show, where he showed up to support his wife (or is she?) Zendaya, who was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in Euphoria.
04 of 29
Reboot When?
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Former Ozark costars Julia Garner and Jason Bateman hung out with Carrie Coon during the show.
05 of 29
Prayers Up
Credit: Emma McIntyre/WireImage
From a witchy weekend to an angelic Emmys appearance, Nicole Kidman looked ethereal as always.
06 of 29
‘Big Little’ Friends
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Big Little Lies costars Nicole Kidman and Shailene Woodley caught up during a commercial break.
07 of 29
Shock and Awe
Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services
Has national intelligence been compromised?! Keri Russell appears to deliver a startling piece of news to her Diplomat costar Allison Janney, as Rufus Sewell and his wife Vivian Benitez also take it all in.
08 of 29
Bae, Watch!
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Baywatch stars Hassie Harrison, Brooks Nader and Jessica Belkin dressed up in the show’s signature crimson color for their turn presenting Outstanding Reality/Competition Series.
09 of 29
We’d Watch This Family Dramedy
Credit: Rich Polk/Variety via Getty
Jean Smart, Lisa Kudrow and Elle Fanning — who were all nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series—posed for photos together and gave us an idea for a TV pilot.
10 of 29
Oh Baby!
Credit: Danny Moloshok/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services
An oh-so-pregnant Kaley Cuoco is thrilled to see fiancé Tom Pelphrey’s former Ozark costar Julia Garner in this cute girl-to-girl moment.
11 of 29
Runway Ready
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Chase Infiniti, Tom Holland and Zendaya made for an exceptionally stylish trio inside the show.
12 of 29
Going for Gold
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Sally Field and her fellow acting powerhouses Colman Domingo and Noah Wyle posed for a photo inside the Peacock Theater.
13 of 29
Women Supporting Women
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
The only other person more excited for Rhea Seehorn’s Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series win was Carrie Coon, who lifted her in celebration.
14 of 29
Party People
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
And it was the same joyous vibes at Mark Ruffalo, Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey’s table. Pelphrey won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work on Task.
15 of 29
Double Date Night
Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services
John Mulaney and Macaulay Culkin, with their partners Brenda Song and Olivia Munn, had a double date moment at the Emmys. (We bet they still talked about their kids, though. We all do it!)
16 of 29
Cutest Couple
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Megan Mullally showed up in purple satin to support husband Nick Offerman, who was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
17 of 29
Just Us Girls
Credit: Trae Patton/NBC via Getty
Choreographer Charm La’Donna and Selena Gomez smoldered over their shoulders for this tableside shot.
18 of 29
First of Their Name
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
It was a clash of the George R.R. Martin universe as House of the Dragon star Emma D’Arcy and Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke both made an appearance to present Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie to Sally Field.
19 of 29
Winner’s Cirlce
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Kate O’Flynn showed off her new hardware while hanging out with fellow Widow’s Bay winner Matthew Rhys, who took home his own trophy for the show (plus another one for The Beast in Me).
20 of 29
Gilded Ladies
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Gilded Age costars Denée Benton, Cynthia Nixon, Louisa Jacobson and Carrie Coon make a fierce foursome (in decidedly modern attire — no corsets here) as they enjoy their night.
21 of 29
The Late Crew
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Four hosts of late night TV —Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and John Oliver —posed for a photo.
22 of 29
Dressed to Impress
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Ayo Edebiri, Zendaya and Quinta Brunson served Black girl magic in elegant gowns.
23 of 29
Funny Guys
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
We wonder who broke who? Funny guys Martin Short and Steve Carell were snapped in fits of laughter in this fun shot.
24 of 29
Well-Wishers
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Gary Oldman and wife Gisele Schmidt were on hand to congratulate Tom Pelphrey and Kaley Cuoco fresh off Pelphrey’s win.
25 of 29
Friends and (Seat) Neighbors
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Even when trying to look suspicious, Jon Hamm (with Your Friends & Neighbors costar Amanda Peet) can’t help but be devilishly handsome.
26 of 29
Another Day in ‘Paradise’
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Paradise costars Shailene Woodley and Sterling K. Brown linked up for a quick pic inside the Peacock Theater.
27 of 29
Leading Man’s Circle
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Oscar Isaac, Michael J. Fox and Matthew Rhys looked sharp in their Emmys tuxedoes.
28 of 29
Taking a Moment
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Lisa Kudrow and Sally Field (who took home her fourth Emmy tonight for her work in Remarkably Bright Creatures) were hopefully discussing a possible guest role for Field on another season of The Comeback. (Too much to ask?)
29 of 29
HBO Ladies
Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
The Pitt star Katherine LaNasa took a few snaps with fellow HBO stars Rachel Sennott and Odessa A’zion of I Love LA.