Mariska Hargitay Jokes She Can’t Reveal Details About Her 2026 Emmys Hosting Gig: ‘Took an Oath’ (Exclusive)

The 2026 Emmys host caught up with PEOPLE ahead of the Sept. 14 telecast

Mariska Hargitay is trying to not let any nerves get to her before she hosts the 2026 Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14.

“Jitters are good. They mean you care,” she tells PEOPLE in a new interview and jokes, “See how I’m in denial about the pre-show jitters?”

On July 7, it was announced that the Law & Order: SVU star would host this year’s ceremony, airing live on NBC. When she got the call from Pearlena Igbokwe, the head of the network, she recalls thinking: “Oh, I should answer this. Am I getting fired?”

During an interview on Today on Aug. 13, Hargitay said she initially thought the offer to host was a joke. “She asked me about it, and at first, I thought she was kidding. I actually thought she was kidding,” she admitted. “It took me a while to process it.”

“I thought, ‘I’m not a comedian, and it’s historically comedians,’ ” Hargitay told Savannah Guthrie on air. “It was probably the farthest thing from my mind that I thought she was gonna say, so I actually was kind of shocked.”

She took the weekend to think it over and eventually said yes. “I started going, ‘Why not?’ which is where I kind of am in my life,” Hargitay said on Today.

As she prepped for the show, she caught up with PEOPLE to answer our burning questions ahead of the broadcast on Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. 

What can we expect from this year’s show?

I had to take an Academy of Arts and Sciences oath that I won’t reveal details. It was a whole thing. A lot of incense, so much reciting. But one thing you can definitely expect is a host who is beyond excited and honored to be there. 

How are you prepping?

Mick Jagger sings while he runs so he can stay in shape for his concerts. I think that’s incredible. I’m not doing that. I’m mostly working on not asking if I can do another take during the broadcast.

Anything you’ll do to get out any pre-show jitters?

Jitters are good. They mean you care. They make you know you’re alive. See how I’m in denial about the pre-show jitters? 

Any outfit changes in store? 

That depends. How many tux changes did the guys who hosted do?

How does it feel to host the same year your documentary received nominations? (My Mom Jayne took home two trophies during the Creative Arts Emmys on Sept. 5.)

More extraordinary than I have the words to express. I’ve always been so grateful to have dedicated my life to telling stories, and I feel more energized about the power of storytelling than ever before. My documentary about my mom was obviously very personal, but there is so much that I want to chronicle, that I want to give voice to. It feels like an exiting, promising time.

What went through your head when you learned about the nomination? 

It’s more what went through my heart. It was a very beautiful and deep moment of feeling very close to my mom. 

How will you celebrate post-show?

I’m gonna party, toast our good fortune, then get surgically removed from my shapewear so I can crash into bed and watch TV.

The 78th Emmy Awards air live on Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. My Mom Jayne is streaming now on HBO Max.