Emmys 2026: Seen and Heard at Every Star-Studded Party (Updating)

Brits and non-Brits alike gathered for tea on Sunday, as BAFTA North America hosted its annual mid-day toast to this year’s nominees. For many stars, it was the first stop of several on a busy Emmy Eve, with Widow’s Bay actor Stephen Root declaring, “This is the best day just because this is party day. The nomination is the win and the trophy is the party, and that’s what we’re doing today.”

Inside the celebration, held on the Maybourne Beverly Hills terrace, Root caught up with co-star Dale Dickey as well as engaged (and expecting) couple Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey — who were overheard wishing the Widow’s Bay standout good luck. Sarah Snook, Sarah Pidgeon (with her mom in tow), Richard Gadd, Karolina Wydra, Jessica Williams and Michael Urie made the rounds, munching on the spread of tea sandwiches, scones and pastries, accompanied by (obviously) an extensive tea and coffee station and champagne wall. The Pitt team continued their busy weekend of festivities — THR counted a dozen cast members in attendance — as Katherine LaNasa emphasized, “Gotta pay your respects!” when it comes to awards weekend.

After winning last year, LaNasa also explained her approach to the big night this time this around, and is jotting down a speech in advance. “I realized last year that no one tells you to do it, and when you get up onto the stage, it’s like the aliens have come to take you away; there’s bright lights and you leave your body,” she teased. “I told [co-star] Gerran [Howell] to write something, no matter what just write something… I left my body so big time, I thought I whiffed the whole thing but it was alright. So I do it out of respect for the audience.”

THR and SAG-AFTRA teamed up on Saturday for Emmy Nominees Night, a celebration of this year’s top TV talent ahead of the big show. The event, presented by Snapchat and Waymo, took over the Chateau Marmont pool area and welcomed stars from The Pitt, Widow’s Bay, Pluribus, Hacks, Abbott Elementary and many, many other Emmy hopefuls.

The Pitt crew rolled particularly deep, many of them arriving together and one, Ernest Harden Jr., carrying an Emmy. The actor won for his guest role during last weekend’s Creative Arts ceremonies and showed off his heavy accessory during the party, which also saw appearances from Rhea Seehorn, Richard Gadd, Shrinking‘s Michael Urie and Jessica Williams, Hacks trio Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky and Paul W. Downs, Euphoria‘s Chloe Cherry and Widow’s Bay team Kingston Rumi Southwick, Dale Dickey, Jeff Hiller, K Callan and creator Katie Dippold.

Before Mariska Hargitay takes the stage as Emmys host on Monday, the Law & Order: SVU star enjoyed a night off at NBCU’s pre-Emmys party at Sunset Tower. Alongside husband Peter Hermann, Hargitay — who already won two Emmys this year for her doc My Mom Jayne, both presented at the Creative Arts ceremonies last weekend — mixed and mingled with All Her Fault star Sarah Snook and fellow power couple Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy. Linda Cardellini, another early Emmy winner for DTF St. Louis, made an appearance, alongside additional attendees Donna Langley, Mike Cavanaugh, Pearlena Igbokwe, Mike Schur, Shawn Hatosy, Janelle James, Laverne Cox, David Boreanaz, Peter Krause, David Alan Grier, Lance Bass, a strong contingent of Housewives past and present (including Lisa Rinna, Kathy Hilton, Kyle Richards and Dorit Kemsley) and Lorne Michaels, who even smiled for the occasion.

Moving to Avra Beverly Hills for its annual Emmy eve fete, WME celebrated clients and collaborators with a garden party that drew, among many others, our least expected duo of the weekend: Saturday Night Live boss Lorne Michaels and Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin. (Look at those two!) The exec-heavy crowd also included Casey Bloys, Francesca Orsi, Jinny Howe, Karey Burke and Pearlena Igbokwe., as well as Riz Ahmed, Sean Evans, Katherine LaNasa, Katie Dippold and newly-minted WME client Noah Wyle.

Gold House took over Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on Thursday for a toast to this year’s multicultural nominees, with cast and creatives from Beef, Bridgerton, The Pitt and Abbott Elementary in attendance. “Having people here to support makes a difference; you never know who you’ll run into or what conversation turns into what. I’m really grateful that we get to do this and do it together,” Beef creator Lee Sung Jin told the room. Courtesy of WME, the party also featured Beef-themed food and beverages — though the drinks themselves contained no actual red meat.