Mariska Hargitay is set to make television history this September. The "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" star has been named the host of the 78th Emmy Awards, becoming the first woman to solo emcee the ceremony in 15 years .

The Television Academy confirmed the news on Tuesday, July 7, revealing that the beloved actress will take the stage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 14 . The ceremony will air live coast-to-coast on NBC and stream simultaneously on Peacock .

Hargitay's appointment breaks a long-standing drought for female hosts. The last woman to solo host the Emmys was Jane Lynch in 2011 . In a departure from recent tradition, Hargitay is also the first non-comedian to host since Angela Lansbury in 1993, marking a significant shift in how the television academy approaches its biggest night .

The selection carries additional weight as NBC celebrates its 100th anniversary this fall . Network executives see Hargitay as the perfect person to mark the milestone, given her deep history with the broadcaster.

"Mariska has earned her place among television's icons," said Jen Neal, Executive Vice President of Live Events and Specials for NBC and Peacock . "Few performers have left the kind of mark on television that Mariska has."

The 62-year-old actress has portrayed Captain Olivia Benson on "Law & Order: SVU" since 1999, making her one of the longest-running characters in television history . The series is entering its 28th season this fall and will surpass 600 episodes, extending its record as the longest-running primetime live-action drama .

Hargitay is no stranger to Emmy glory herself. She won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2006 and has earned eight additional nominations for her iconic role .

In a statement, Hargitay expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the celebration of her industry peers . Her Broadway debut earlier this year in "Every Brilliant Thing" demonstrated her versatility beyond the small screen .

The Emmy nominations will be announced on Wednesday, July 8, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable evening .