United Kingdom, July 8 -- Mariska Hargitay is to host this year's Emmy Awards, making her the first woman to do so in 15 years.

The Law and Order: SVU actress will take to the stage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on 14 September to present the annual event, which honours excellence in television, and hailed it a "great honour" to be involved in the telecast, particularly in a milestone year for broadcaster NBC.

She said in a statement: "Bringing important stories into the light has been the heartbeat of my career. It's my great honour to host the 78th Emmy Awards - in the 100th birthday year of my beloved NBC - and celebrate this extraordinary community of storytellers.

"Whether it's an actor or a director, a costumer or a sound...