Mariska Hargitay will host the 78th Emmy Awards live on NBC and Peacock from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, and the Television Academy is introducing a Legacy Award to honor programs with lasting cultural impact.The appointment coincides with NBC's centenary year and represents a rare choice of a first-time emcee not drawn from stand-up or television comedy for a major Emmy ceremony in decades.Mariska Hargitay won an Emmy and has eight nominations for her portrayal of Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; she also serves as an executive producer and director on the series and founded the Joyful Heart Foundation.Emmy nominations will be announced this week; Creative Arts Emmys will take place in September and the main ceremony will air and stream on
NBC and
Peacock in September as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit returns for a new season.