TV’s biggest night may be over, but exclusive behind-the-scenes images from Emmys 2026 have just arrived. Go inside the starry affair, as Vanity Fair captured the night’s big winners, like Noah Wyle of best drama series The Pitt, mingling with their fellow A-list attendees. Zendaya attended her final Emmys as a nominee for Euphoria alongside her partner—and costar in two of the year’s biggest blockbuster films—Tom Holland. Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman smiled from the same table as her Margo’s Got Money Troubles collaborators Dakota and Elle Fanning. The 78th Emmy Awards aired last night on NBC and Peacock, and the show is currently streaming on demand on Peacock. Now that The Pitt, Widow’s Bay, and DTF St. Louis have been anointed the year’s best in drama, comedy, and limited series, respectively, the time has come to catch the stars in their unguarded moments. The candid images of Emmys 2026 feature invitees including Florence Pugh, John Mulaney, Selena Gomez, Colman Domingo, and many more. Ahead, take a look at the very best behind-the-scenes snaps captured on CineStill …

Mariska Hargitay may have been a first-time host at Emmys 2026, but her opening monologue was steeped in TV history, including the actor’s nearly three-decade run on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and the time she “arrested” fellow nominee Martin Short onscreen. “NBC is celebrating its 100th year,” Hargitay began in her opening act. “And I have been on Law & Order: SVU for all of them.” She then quipped of Law & Order creator Dick Wolf that although “there have been a lot of jokes about his name…. His real name is Richard Penis.” The actor also paid homage to the viral AMC Theatres ad fronted by Nicole Kidman, who interjected from her seat, “That’s my bit, you can’t do that!” when Hargitay began speaking of “dazzling images on the silver screen” and “sound that I can feel.” To that, Hargitay gamely replied, “Zip it, movie lady. It’s TV’s turn tonight.” Hargitay struck an earnest tone for the remainder of her brief remarks, which she began with an elongated musical number, featuring cameos …