The 2026 Golden Globes, held on January 11 at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, broke new ground as Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” earned the ceremony’s first-ever Best Podcast award, marking a milestone moment for the event and for Poehler herself. This historic victory for Amy Poehler Golden Globes win signaled the introduction of podcasts into major award show recognition, drawing attention from across the entertainment industry.
This year’s ceremony, hosted by Nikki Glazer, showcased several record-breaking achievements and debuted fresh categories, setting the stage for future changes at one of Hollywood’s most prominent gatherings.
Amy Poehler’s Trailblazing Podcast Triumph
Amy Poehler, known for her role on “Parks and Recreation,” took home the inaugural Best Podcast award for her series “Good Hang.” The addition of this category marks a significant pivot for the Golden Globes, which had never before included podcasts in its roster of honors during its 83-year history. Poehler’s win heralds a new chapter for digital audio creators seeking industry validation at prestigious awards ceremonies.
“I don’t know about awards shows, but when they get it right, it makes sense,”
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation alum, remarked with characteristic wit during her acceptance on stage.
“I’m new to this game, I have great respect for this form.”
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation alum.
The move to recognize podcasts at such a level demonstrates not only the medium’s growing cultural influence but also the Golden Globes’ willingness to evolve alongside trends in storytelling and entertainment.
Unprecedented Wins and Record Setters at the Ceremony
The 2026 Golden Globes saw more than just the debut of the podcast category. Comedian Ricky Gervais, whose hosting tenure already stands unmatched with five ceremonies, made history by becoming the first person to win two Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television awards. This reinforced Gervais’s long-standing association with both the Globes and stand-up television excellence.
Jean Smart, acclaimed for her performance in “Hacks,” surpassed her previous achievements by becoming the oldest recipient of the Best Female Actor in a TV Musical/Comedy award at age 74. At the other end of the spectrum, Owen Cooper made headlines as the youngest winner of Best Supporting Male Actor in TV, recognized for his standout role in the series “Adolescence.”
Months before stars gathered on the red carpet, records were already falling: On December 8, Cynthia Erivo became the first Black woman to earn two nominations in the Best Actress in a Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy category. She had previously been recognized for her portrayal of Elphaba in “Wicked.”
“It’s an honor to be nominated once again for this film,”
Cynthia Erivo, Wicked: For Good star, shared in a statement after her most recent nod.
“It has been a beautiful journey to play this character, and this is the cherry on top.”
Cynthia Erivo, Wicked: For Good star. She further acknowledged her collaborators by saying,
“This entire journey could never have been possible without the wonderful leadership of my brother and glorious director Jon M. Chu and producer extraordinaire everyone could only wish for, Marc Platt.”
Cynthia Erivo, Wicked: For Good star.
Additionally, Bella Ramsey stood out as the first nonbinary performer to collect multiple Golden Globe nominations, earning two consecutive nods in the Best Actress in a Television Series—Drama category for their performance in “The Last of Us.”
Major Awards and Noteworthy Achievements
The Golden Globes celebrated an array of talent across television and film. Seth Rogen clinched Best Male Actor – Television – Musical/Comedy for his role in “The Studio,” while Timothee Chalamet took home Best Male Actor – Motion Picture – Musical/Comedy for “Marty Supreme.” In dramatic television, Rhea Seehorn was recognized as Best Female Actor for “Pluribus.”
Wagner Moura triumphed as Best Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for “The Secret Agent,” and Jessie Buckley won Best Female Actor – Motion Picture – Drama for her performance in “Hamnet.” The award for Best Picture – Musical or Comedy went to “One Battle After Another,” and “Hamnet” secured the Best Picture – Drama trophy.
Spotlighting Talent in Television and Limited Series
Jean Smart’s work in “Hacks” continued to be celebrated, as she won Best Female Actor – Television – Musical/Comedy. In television drama, Noah Wyle’s performance in “The Pitt” earned him the title of Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama. The category of Best Limited Series, Anthology Series or Television Motion Picture saw “Adolescence” come out on top, with Stephen Graham receiving accolades as Best Male Actor for the same series. Michelle Williams’s work in “Dying for Sex” was recognized as Best Female Actor in the limited series category.
Supporting actors in both film and television were also in the spotlight. Stellan Skarsgard received Best Supporting Male Actor—Motion Picture for “Sentimental Value,” while Owen Cooper earned Best Supporting Male Actor – Television for “Adolescence.” Erin Doherty was awarded Best Supporting Female Actor – Television for “Adolescence” as well.
Celebrating Global and Musical Talent
The Globes expanded their recognition to international cinema and music, naming “The Secret Agent” as Best Non-English Language Motion Picture and awarding the Best Original Song to “Golden” from “K:Pop Demon Hunters,” with contributions from Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, Park Hong Jun, Kim Eun-jae (EJAE), and Mark Sonnenblick.
“KPop Demon Hunters” also emerged victorious in the Best Animated Motion Picture segment, underscoring pop culture’s growing interconnection with worldwide audiences. “Sinners” took the title of Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, reflecting both critical and commercial impact.
On the music front, Ludwig Göransson’s score for “Sinners” garnered the Best Score – Motion Picture award, strengthening his reputation as an influential composer among this year’s winners.
Directing, Screenwriting, and Comedy Recognized
The award for Best Director – Motion Picture was presented to Paul Thomas Anderson for “One Battle After Another.” The screenplay for the same film, crafted by Anderson, also claimed the Best Screenplay – Motion Picture honor. These achievements solidify Anderson’s stature in contemporary cinema.
In the world of stand-up, Ricky Gervais continued to establish new territory with his win for “Ricky Gervais: Mortality,” further advancing his personal legacy both as a host and a comedic performer.
Additional Honors and Trailblazing Moments
Sarah Jessica Parker was granted the Carol Burnett Award, celebrating her lasting contribution to television. Helen Mirren received the Cecil B. DeMille Award, recognizing her extensive and influential career in the entertainment industry.
The night was filled with note-worthy performances and attested to the dynamic state of the arts. Nominations and wins by artists such as Kristen Bell, Rashida Jones, Hunter Doohan, Selena Gomez, and others underscored the diversity and energy present among this year’s nominees.
Looking Forward: A Changing Golden Globes
The 2026 Golden Globes stand as a turning point, introducing new categories like Best Podcast and awarding a broader spectrum of creative voices than ever before. The presence of figures such as Amy Poehler, Ricky Gervais, Cynthia Erivo, Bella Ramsey, Jean Smart, and the creative teams behind standout productions highlights how the entertainment landscape is expanding to embrace evolving forms and untold stories.
As the industry responds to these trailblazers—both new and established—the show’s willingness to honor fresh talent and adapt its categories signals more groundbreaking changes to come, setting the stage for subsequent years. Amy Poehler’s Golden Globes win may well inspire more artists and creators to explore the growing realm of podcasting and other digital platforms in pursuit of industry acclaim and recognition.
