Here’s how Marylanders fared at the 2026 Emmy Awards

Maryland has seen better award show nights.

Stars with varying levels of Maryland roots, including Stephen Colbert, Shawn Hatosy, Janelle James and Oscar Isaacs, turned out Monday night for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” star Mariska Hargitay.

But only one walked away with a trophy: Stephen Colbert, whose “Late Show” ended in May after nearly 11 years.

Victorious or not, nominees, presenters and performers at television’s glitziest night were also treated with swag bags containing $14,000 worth of gifts, including high-end wellness treatments, a smart ring and a box of merchandise from Share a Scan, a customizable QR code clothing line from Potomac sisters Kailey and Shara Zuckerman.

Here’s how Maryland stars fared at the 2026 Emmy Awards.

Stephen Colbert

Outstanding variety series, “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert”

Stephen Colbert got his golden goodbye.

The 62-year-old comedian, who spent some years in Bethesda as a kid, added a 13th Emmy Award to his mantle on Sunday evening with “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” taking outstanding variety series.

In May, Colbert signed off from CBS’ “The Late Show” for the final time, bringing a close to the late-night series’ nearly 33-year run. The network called it a “financial decision,” while others, including Colbert, blamed the cancellation on his regular on-air criticism of President Donald Trump.

Flanked by his “Late Show” team, Colbert spent the bulk of his acceptance speech celebrating the more than 200 crew members who worked on his show over the last 11 years.

“The thing about these late shows is that, besides being a really good steady job, is that they require so many people that they’re a fantastic incubator for young people to come in to learn to work professionally,” he said. “That is the future of our business that we have to look after.”

He added: “I want to say to the audience: thank you so much for watching. We hope you enjoyed the show. We had a great time doing it for you.”

Hargitay also referenced the show’s controversial ending during the broadcast in a song parody of “Goodbye Stranger” about shows that ended this year, including “Stranger Things,” “The Bear” and “The Late Show.”

“Like an Emmys without ‘Hacks,’ like the world without ‘The Bear,’ ‘Euphoria’ is gone and we lost Colbert,” she sang while hugging the comedian from his seat.

“The Late Show” also took home seven Creative Arts and Primetime Emmys:

• Best variety series
• Best writing for a variety series
• Best directing for a variety series
• Best lighting design/direction for a series
• Best picture editing for variety programming (segment)
• Best technical direction and camerawork for a series
• Best short form comedy, drama or variety series (“Colbert Before Air”)

Janelle James

Supporting actress in a comedy series, “Abbott Elementary”

The fifth time was not a charm for Janelle James, the 46-year-old who lived in Maryland during high school.

Nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for the past five years, James — who plays the hilariously inappropriate principal Ava Coleman on ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” — lost on Sunday to first-time nominee Kate O’Flynn for Apple TV’s “Widow’s Bay.”

“Abbott Elementary” was shut out of its 7 nominated categories across the Primetime Emmys and last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys.

Oscar Isaac

Lead actor in a limited series or TV movie, “Beef”

As country club general manager Joshua Martín, actor Oscar Isaac ratcheted up the marital tension and stress in the second season of “Beef,” Netflix’s dark-comedy anthology series.

The performance, though, wasn’t enough on Sunday for the actor — who was born in Guatemala and lived in Baltimore briefly as an infant — to take home his first Emmy Award. Matthew Rhys won the prize for his role in Netflix’s “The Beast in Me.”

In 2022, Isaac lost in the same category (outstanding lead actor in a limited series or anthology series or movie) for his role as Nick Wasicsko in “Show Me a Hero,” which was written by David Simon and William F. Zorzi of “The Wire.” That year, Michael Keaton, who starred in “Dopesick,” won the Emmy over Isaac.

“Beef” won three awards:

• Best contemporary costumes for a limited series
• Best sound editing for a limited or anthology series, movie or special
• Best sound mixing for a limited or anthology series, movie or special

Shawn Hatosy

Supporting actor in a drama series, “The Pitt”

It’s not back-to-back Emmys for Ijamsville native Shawn Hatosy, who plays Dr. Jack Abbott on HBO Max’s hit hospital drama “The Pitt.”

Hatosy, who won a statue last year for guest actor in a drama series category for the same role, lost on Sunday night to Tom Pelphrey of HBO Max’s “Task.”

“The Pitt” picked up seven Emmys for:

• Outstanding drama series
• Best lead actor in a drama series (Noah Wyle)
• Best drama guest actor (Ernest Harden Jr.)
• Best casting for a drama series
• Best prosthetic makeup
• Best original music and lyrics (“Need Someone”)
• Best short form nonfiction or reality series (“Inside The Pitt”)