Apple TV+ comedy series dominates Emmys as veteran actors win surprise awards

Apple TV+’s "Widow’s Bay" emerged as the biggest winner in the comedy fields at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, securing 14 trophies including best comedy series, lead actor for Matthew Rhys, supporting actor for Stephen Root, supporting actress for Kate O’Flynn, as well as directing and writing honors. The series, a comedy-horror hybrid that debuted in late April, surprised voters despite limited early buzz.

Jean Smart won best comedy actress for HBO Max’s "Hacks," a show that had been favored to win the category before "Widow’s Bay" entered the race.

In drama, HBO Max’s "The Pitt" repeated its success from the previous year by winning best drama series and lead actor for Noah Wyle, while Apple’s "Pluribus" took best drama writing. Rhea Seehorn of "Pluribus" won best drama actress, edging out Keri Russell of "The Diplomat."

At the Creative Arts ceremony, HBO’s "DTF St. Louis" captured directing, writing, supporting actor and supporting actress awards in the limited/anthology segment. Netflix’s "Remarkably Bright Creatures" earned best movie, and Sally Field won best actress in a limited or anthology series or movie, marking the first time in 14 years the category was won by a film performance.

The variety series category produced a single winner: CBS’s "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," which met the Academy’s 90 percent approval threshold under the new “area award” voting system. Other nominees, including "Last Week Tonight," "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," "The Daily Show," and "Saturday Night Live," fell short of the required consensus.