Mariska Hargitay's 2026 has been busy with a Broadway stint and 'SVU.' Next up: Emmys host

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Set us as preferred Who wants to be the person to rebuff a request from Capt.Olivia Benson? This isn’t even an interrogation but her maker, Mariska Hargitay, realizes she has said too much.

In a moment of enthusiasm, the actor reveals an idea she pitched to minimize long-winded winner speeches during the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, where she’ll make her debut as host.But it’s too soon to tell if the bit will make it into the ceremony.

And she quickly learns spoilers apply to awards shows too.“I’m not allowed to say that! Spoiler alert! My publicist is giving me a look — can you not write that?” Hargitay says.(Let’s just say, if the plan gets the greenlight, many would consider it a bucket list-worthy prize.) It’s mid-August and the multi-hyphenate is winding down at a hotel space in Hollywood following an FYC event for “My Mom Jayne,” a documentary she directed about her late mother, actor Jayne Mansfield.

She’s had an unrelenting schedule.Earlier this summer, she wrapped her six-week Broadway debut run in the one-woman show, “Every Brilliant Thing.” She’s also begun filming the 28th season of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” which premieres in October.

Now, she’s deep in preparation for a massive new challenge: hosting the Emmys — the first woman to do so in 15 years.(It makes a moment, midway through the photo shoot for this piece, feel poignant: “Can you put on ‘The Man’ by Taylor [Swift]?” she asks.) “Am I scared? Of course I am; I’ve never done this,” she says.

“But at a certain point, you have to go: Why not me? Bring it on.” Awards Awards columnist Glenn Whipp has looked into his crystal ball.Here’s who he thinks will win the 2026 Emmys.It’s definitely on.

When reached by phone later on the set of “SVU” — this time, less than two weeks befor...