Emmy Awards 2026: Jalen Brunson, Mariska Hargitay and Reba McEntire Set the Stage for a Night to Remember
The wait is almost over.
With the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards just hours away, television’s biggest night is finally down to the wire. The question on everyone’s mind is simple: Who will walk away with the biggest prizes—and what surprises are waiting behind the curtain?
One thing is already certain: this year’s ceremony is shaping up to be anything but ordinary.
Leading the charge is Mariska Hargitay, who arrives at the ceremony with two Emmy wins already under her belt this year and the distinction of serving as the show’s first-time host.
For the longtime Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star, hosting the Emmys represents another remarkable chapter in a career that has made her one of television’s most recognizable and beloved figures.
But she apparently won’t be opening the show alone.
Jalen Brunson Is Reportedly Joining the Opening
According to Variety, New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson is expected to make an appearance during the very beginning of the telecast.
The NBA champion, 30, is reportedly set to appear in a pre-taped segment as part of the opening number. Hargitay will then continue the performance live on stage alongside dancers and other performers before transitioning into her opening monologue.
For Hargitay, the appearance would have an especially personal touch.
Brunson is not simply a basketball superstar. He is also reportedly a friend of the actress—and someone Hargitay has already hinted could soon become part of the SVU universe.
Last month, Hargitay confirmed that Brunson is “definitely” expected to have a role on her long-running series.
And she clearly has plenty of confidence in what he can do.
“I don’t think there is much Jalen can’t do,” Hargitay previously said.
That confidence could soon be tested in front of millions of television viewers.
From the Basketball Court to the SVU Squad Room?
Brunson’s possible Emmy appearance comes at an intriguing moment.
Known for his leadership on the basketball court, he has already established himself as one of the NBA’s most prominent stars. But Hargitay appears convinced that his talents extend far beyond basketball.
His potential Law & Order: SVU role could make for an unusual crossover, bringing one of the NBA’s biggest names into the dramatic world of New York’s Special Victims Unit.
And now, before he even steps into that fictional world, Brunson could help Hargitay launch one of television’s biggest nights.
Reba McEntire Will Honor Dolly Parton
As if the opening number weren’t enough, another major musical moment is expected to add an emotional layer to the evening.
According to Variety, country music legend Reba McEntire is set to perform a song by Dolly Parton in tribute to the late icon.
For country music fans, the moment carries enormous emotional weight.
Dolly Parton’s influence stretches far beyond country music. Her songs have become part of the cultural fabric of several generations, and her career has inspired countless artists—including McEntire.
A Dolly tribute at the Emmys therefore has the potential to become one of the night’s most memorable performances.
With Reba’s unmistakable voice carrying one of Dolly’s beloved songs, the performance could transform the ceremony from a celebration of television into something much more personal: a moment of remembrance for one of entertainment’s most enduring legends.
Mariska Hargitay Has Already Had Quite a Summer
Even before taking the Emmy stage, Hargitay has been having a remarkably eventful summer.
The actress recently opened up about another major celebrity moment that left her completely captivated: the wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
Speaking with Jimmy Kimmel on September 9, Hargitay admitted that she was still “floating” from the celebration.
“It was so spectacular and so intimate,” she said.
Despite the large number of people reportedly in attendance, Hargitay said she was struck by how close-knit and personal the ceremony felt.
That same warmth may be exactly what she brings to the Emmy stage.
One Night. Three Major Stars. And Plenty of Surprises.
Between Hargitay’s first turn as Emmy host, Brunson’s reported appearance, and McEntire’s tribute to Parton, the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards are already promising a night packed with memorable moments.
But ultimately, the biggest question remains unanswered.
Who will take home the trophies?
Which performances will have audiences talking the next morning?
And could one of the evening’s biggest emotional moments come not from an award at all, but from Reba McEntire standing beneath the lights and singing the words of Dolly Parton?
By Monday night, the answers will finally arrive.
For now, the stage is set—and television fans have every reason to watch.