Congrats to the Winners of the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards

The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards brought star-studded surprises, heartfelt speeches and well-deserved wins. Held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 15, the event was hosted by comedy legends Eugene and Dan Levy, whose witty generational banter entertained audiences throughout the night. Two of the biggest winners were “Hacks” and “True Detective: Night Country,” both proudly licensed by Swank.

“Hacks”, HBO’s sharp-witted showbiz sitcom, claimed the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series. The show follows the complex relationship between veteran comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and her millennial comedy writer. Co-creator Lucia Aniello highlighted the unifying power of laughter during her acceptance speech: "When you laugh with someone, you have something in common with them."

Jean Smart, an iconic figure in television, also secured her third Emmy for her portrayal of Deborah Vance, making her the oldest woman to ever win in the category. Her acceptance speech was characteristically witty: “I really appreciate this because I just don’t get enough attention.” This win adds to her tally of Emmys, as she’s taken home the award for each season of “Hacks.”

Co-creator Paul W. Downs, visibly emotional on stage, thanked the “Hacks” family—writers, cast and crew—for making their dreams come true. Reflecting on the challenges of pitching a show centered on a woman over 60, Downs noted, "About 20 percent of our population is over 60, and only 3 percent of those characters are on television. I would like to see more of them."

The victory for “Hacks” wasn’t just about the laughs; it carried a deeper message about representation, age, and the power of storytelling across generations.

On the drama side, Jodie Foster won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for “True Detective: Night Country.” Despite her illustrious career with two Oscars and two Golden Globes under her belt, this marks her first Emmy win. Her win also marked the first time an actor won for their work in “True Detective.” Foster, who plays Alaska police chief Liz Danvers, expressed her deep gratitude in her acceptance speech, calling her time on the show a "magical experience."

Her performance in “True Detective” captivated audiences as she investigated the mysterious disappearance of arctic researchers. Foster was quick to praise her “partner in crime” Evangeline Navarro, as well as the Inupiaq and Inuit communities of Northern Alaska for sharing their stories, which she described as "deep and wonderful."

With this Emmy win, Foster is now halfway to achieving the prestigious EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) status. Her moving speech emphasized the role of love and collaboration in creating art: "When you feel that, something amazing happens. It's deep and wonderful and older than this place and this time."

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