Credit: David Jon Photography / @davidjonphotography
Hollywood’s Emmy season came into focus on August 16 as HBO Max brought together stars, creators and industry talent for its Emmy Nominee Celebration at NYA Studios West, celebrating 122 of HBO Max’s nominations.
The event was a high-profile celebration of HBO Max’s 2026 Emmy contenders bringing the platform’s acclaimed programming and the people behind it together under one roof. With a slate spanning drama, comedy, limited series and genre programming, the gathering offered a moment for nominees and their collaborators to celebrate the work that has helped define the platform’s year.
The event opened with this year’s Emmy host Mariska Hargitay and recognition of her film My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay. Various panels were held throughout the day, including an actor chat between nominees Colman Domingo and Tom Pelphrey along with Creator/Actor of Hacks Paul W. Downs moderated a funny, but emotional panel with Emmy-nominated guest stars Kaitlin Olson (DJ Vance), Christopher McDonald (Marty Ghilain) and Lauren Weedman (Mayor Jo Pezzimenti) – all of whom appeared in all five seasons and the series finale.
In another panel with Hacks Jean Smart expressed that while ending the show was difficult and heartfelt, the timing was right and it had an incredible five years. Richard Gadd of Half Man shared how the ideas for this show were already in the works before Baby Reindeer in his notes app. Jim Rash’s Miss You, Love You was filmed in 17 days and based on real life grief from Rash’s life. The day concluded with a full stage from the team of The Pitt. John Wells, Executive Producer and Director, of the show discussed how the biggest challenge was doing it as well as first season.
Among the titles featured in HBO Max’s 2026 FYC campaign are The Pitt, Hacks, DTF St. Louis, Miss You, Love You, Half Man, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, The Gilded Age, Euphoria, Task, The Yogurt Shop Murders, The Comeback, and Chris Fleming: Live at the Palace, and My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay.
Inside NYA Studios West, the day reflected the celebratory spirit of Emmy season (including Mel Brooks’ face decorated cupcakes), with cast members and creative teams coming together for panel discussions as they celebrated the performers, writers, directors, editors, and production teams whose work continues to shape the platform’s identity.
As awards season moves forward, the August 16 celebration offered a snapshot of the talent and programming HBO Max hopes will make a lasting impression when the Emmy winners are announced.
