[Five Key Highlights from Tonight’s Creative Arts Emmys Celebrating Women’s Craft]
Shailene Woodley captures the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series honor for her performance as Annie Clay in Paradise, earning her first Emmy at tonight’s Creative Arts Emmys held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California (photo by JC Olivera, Variety via Getty Images).
Night Two Spotlights Behind‑the‑Scenes Excellence
The second evening of the 78th Emmy Awards celebrated the artists, craftspeople and performers whose work brings television’s biggest stories to life. Held on September 6 at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, this segment reminded the audience that today’s most influential women work at every stage of production—from acting and costume design to hair, makeup, and visual effects. The following highlights capture the key moments of the night.
Women Shape the Look and Feel of Television
Several standout victories demonstrated how women behind the camera define the visual identity of contemporary dramas.
Among the night’s accolades, the team behind Margo’s Got Money Troubles won Outstanding Contemporary Costumes for a Series, while costume designer Mirren Gordon‑Crozier and her collaborators were praised for establishing a distinctive wardrobe. Similarly, Palm Royale highlighted women’s leadership in period costumes and makeup.
As costumer Alix Friedberg noted, “This show was built with the hands of the most incredibly talented costume teams, textile artists, and builders based in the great city of L.A.” Her crew received the Emmy for Outstanding Period Costumes for a Series on Apple TV+.
Women Are Architects of Television Worlds
Beyond costumes, the Creative Arts Emmys underscored that creative architecture extends to production design, editing, animation, and technical supervision. Many night‑two nominees played pivotal roles as visual designers, editors, animators, and producers, reinforcing that women are integral to constructing the environments where serialized storytelling unfolds.
Recognizing Women Performers Remains Critical
On the acting side, Shailene Woodley secured her debut Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series award for her portrayal of Annie Clay in Hulu’s Paradise, marking the series’ inaugural Emmy win.
Linda Cardellini also earned an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, underscoring the continued acknowledgment of female versatility across evolving formats.
Decoy at the Governors Gala
The Creative Arts Emmys concluded with the Decoy presentation at the Governors Gala, where industry veterans gathered alongside winners from earlier ceremonies.
Key participants included Seth Rogen, Natasha Lyonne, Wanda Sykes, Linda Cardellini, David Alan Grier, Noah Wyle, Lori Greiner, Andrew Rannells, Jim Rash, Miriam Shor, Jeff Hiller, Taylor Dearden, Tina Ivlev, Samba Schutte, Kim A. Snyder, and Marie‑Flore “Ri” Beaubien.
Tina Ivlev, left and Taylor Dearden, right, from The Pitt at the Governors Gala following night two of the Television Academy’s 78th Emmy Awards at the LA Convention Center on Sunday, Sep. 6, 2026 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Alisha Jucevic/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services)
Women honored in the afternoon ceremony—including Beef‘s costume winners Kellie Ishasaki and Sarah Basta for Outstanding Contemporary Costumes for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, plus Shailene Woodley—were present at the subsequent gala, adding personal significance to the collective celebration.
The Bigger Picture: Women at Every Level of Television Creation
The overarching theme of night two was clear: women’s contribution to television spans every creative tier and receives increasing recognition for its breadth.
Artists dominate the headlines, yet the night also spotlighted costume, makeup, production design, editing, and technology roles, reflecting a holistic appreciation of the craft.
This diversity underscores that women are not merely supporting talents but central architects shaping modern television.
Long after the red carpet and applause fade, these same individuals continue to steer the medium forward—helping craft visual narratives, develop performances, and shape the cultural landscape.
Both evenings of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards will be compiled into a single broadcast airing Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FXX, with simultaneous streaming on Hulu beginning September 13.