'Widow’s Bay' sets new Emmy record; 'The Pitt' wins best drama again

Apple TV's Widow's Bay made Emmy history on Monday,14 September while The Pitt took home the best drama series award for the second consecutive year at the 78th Emmy Awards.

Widow's Bay, the quirky horror-comedy starring Matthew Rhys, won 14 awards, surpassing the previous record for most Emmys won by a comedy in a single year. The record was set last year by Apple's The Studio.

Rhys, Kate O'Flynn and Stephen Root were among the show's acting winners. Rhys also won the Emmy for lead actor in a limited series for his role in The Beast in Me, while Widow's Bay also secured the best comedy series award, with Rhys recognised as one of its producers.

Despite Widow's Bay's dominant night, Hacks star Jean Smart retained the best comedy actress award, marking her fifth Emmy for the series. The win was also her eighth acting Emmy, tying her with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Cloris Leachman for the most acting wins by a performer.

Allison Janney matched the record minutes later, winning best supporting actress in a drama for The Diplomat.

Meanwhile, The Pitt won best drama series for the second year in a row. The medical drama, which follows workers in a Pittsburgh emergency room in real time, entered the ceremony with a leading 25 nominations and finished the night with six awards.

Its star Noah Wyle won his second consecutive Emmy for lead actor in a drama and also received the best drama series award as a producer.

Rhea Seehorn won best actress in a drama for Pluribus, while HBO Max's DTF St Louis won outstanding limited or anthology series, taking its total haul to seven awards.

Sally Field won best actress in a limited series or television movie for Remarkably Bright Creatures. In her acceptance speech, Field spoke against the consolidation of major entertainment companies, saying that diverse and unique storytelling should not be compromised.

The ceremony, hosted by Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay, also featured a tribute to late country music icon Dolly Parton. Reba McEntire performed "Appalachian Memories" as part of the tribute.

The In Memoriam segment included a tribute to Home Alone and Schitt's Creek star Catherine O'Hara, while Jamie Lee Curtis paid tribute to late filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner.