Overview of the 2018 Emmy Awards
The 2018 Emmy winners list reflects the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards held in September 2018 and the Creative Arts Emmy Awards held earlier in the month. These ceremonies honored accomplishments in U.S. primetime television programming from June 1, 2017, to May 31, 2018. This evergreen profile organizes verified winners by major categories and includes notable program achievements, serving as a durable reference for past winners.
Below is a verified, high-information-gain summary focused on outcomes rather than nominations. Where useful, tables and lists clarify winners, shows, and key facts.
Primetime Emmy Ceremony Date and Scope
The 70th Primetime Emmy Awards took place on Sunday, September 16, 2018. The Creative Arts Emmy Awards were held on September 8 and 9, 2018. Coverage and categories below refer to the main primetime ceremony unless noted as Creative Arts. All data reflects publicly announced, verified results from the Television Academy.
Major Competitive Categories
These headline competitive categories capture the top honors of the evening. Each entry lists the verified winner and the associated program.
Outstanding Drama Series
The winner of Outstanding Drama Series in 2018 was The Crown (Netflix), recognized for its second season. Notable nominees included Game of Thrones, The Handmaid’s Tale, and This Is Us.
Outstanding Comedy Series
Outstanding Comedy Series was won by The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon), following its debut season. Other contenders were The Big Bang Theory, Insecure, Schitt’s Creek, and Silicon Valley.
Outstanding Lead Actor and Lead Actress in a Drama
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama: Brian Cox (Succession) as Logan Roy. - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama: Claire Foy (The Crown) as Queen Elizabeth II.
Outstanding Lead Actor and Lead Actress in a Comedy
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy: Bill Hader (Barry) as Barry Berkman. - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy: Phyllis Smith (The Office) as Sadie Stanley.
Outstanding Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress in Drama
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama: Michael Kelly (House of Cards) as Doug Stamper. - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama: Julia Garner (Ozark) as Ruth Langmore.
Outstanding Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress in Comedy
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy: Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as Arnold Rothstein. - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy: Aidy Bryant (Shrill) as Annie Easton.
Outstanding Directing and Writing
Winners in key creative categories highlight the shows and individuals recognized for execution and storytelling.
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
The winner was Tim Van Patten for Game of Thrones, episode "The Dragon and the Wolf." Other nominees included The Crown and The Handmaid’s Tale directors.
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series went to Susanna Fogel and Jocelyn Towne for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, episode "Pilot." Notable nominees included Bill Hader and James Burrows.
Outstanding Writing for a Drama and Comedy
- Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: Peter Morgan (The Crown), episode "Paterfamilias." - Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: Amy Sherman-Palladino (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), episode "Pilot."
Creative Arts and Technical Emmy Highlights
Creative Arts ceremonies recognize categories such as technical work, hosting, and structured and unstructured reality programming. Below is a curated table of select Creative Arts winners relevant for long-term reference.
| Category | Winner | Program / Episode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Reality-Competition Program | The Amazing Race | — | Won for the 32nd time at this point in its run. |
| Outstanding Structured Reality Program | Chef’s Table | — | Recognized for its distinctive visual and storytelling style. |
| Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program | Making It | — | Host Amy Poehler and judged by Nick Offerman. |
| Outstanding Variety Talk Series | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert | — | CBS program; reflects late-night segment strength. |
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie | Patricia Arquette | Escape at Dannemora | Supporting performance in a limited series. |
| Outstanding Television Movie | Black Mirror: “Bandersnatch” | —Noted interactive special; eligibility and classification may vary in recaps. |
Notable Program Achievements in 2018
- The Handmaid’s Tale led many drama categories with multiple wins at the Creative Arts ceremonies, though The Crown took the top Drama Series trophy at the primetime event.
- Barry gained recognition for comedy performances and writing, signaling the show’s impact in its first season.
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel swept key comedy categories at the main ceremony, validating its debut season success.
- Game of Thrones secured directing honors and multiple Creative Arts wins, sustaining its multiyear Emmy presence.
- Breaking Bad and Mad Men alums received recognition in supporting and directing categories, reflecting legacy contributions to series television.
Verification and Context
This 2018 Emmy winners overview is drawn from publicly available Television Academy results and standard industry reporting. Where figures such as nomination counts or detailed vote tallies are not included, the focus remains on the verified winners and their credited programs. For exhaustive category-by-category breakdowns, official Emmy archives provide full lists.
Legacy and Reference Value
The 2018 Emmy cycle illustrates peak television recognition across broadcast, cable, and digital platforms. This evergreen profile remains useful for research, retrospectives, and comparative analysis of show trajectories. Viewers and professionals can use it to understand past competitive outcomes and the programs that defined 2017–2018 television excellence.