Members
Contact: Bob Hopkinson (310) 801-8563
Los Angeles – Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) is excited to announce that stand-up comedian, writer, and actress Atsuko Okatsuka will be hosting the 2026 Writers Guild Awards Los Angeles show at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE on Sunday, March 8. The ceremony will be livestreamed starting at 2:00 PM Pacific on the WGAW’s YouTube Channel (@writersguildwest) and at awards.wga.org.
"I’m honored to host the WGA Awards!” said Okatsuka. “Writers shape everything we watch, quote, and pretend we thought of ourselves. Now that’s power. They deserve the world! And at the very least, me hosting the award show."
Okatsuka—who recently embarked on The Big Bowl tour hitting multiple U.S. cities—is an award-winning comedian and actress with one-of-a-kind humor, boundless energy, and infectious charm. The New York Times named her special The Intruder the Best Debut of 2022, and her highly anticipated second stand-up special, Father, recently premiered on Hulu and internationally on Disney+, quickly becoming one of the most talked about specials to debut on the Hularious brand.
“The Writers Guild Awards are an opportunity for writers to step back from their day-to-day work and celebrate each other’s achievements,” said WGAW President Michele Mulroney. “We’re thrilled to have an incredible performer like Atsuko hosting this wonderful event.”
Benn Fleishman and Augie Max Vargas are returning as Executive Producers on the 2026 Writers Guild Awards Los Angeles show. A seven-time Emmy nominee, Fleishman has worked on the Academy Awards, the SAG Awards, the Miss America Pageant, and the past two Writers Guild Awards Los Angeles shows. Vargas is an Emmy Award-winning producer who has worked on the Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, the Film Independent Spirit Awards, and the 2025 Writers Guild Awards Los Angeles show. Also returning is Talent Producer Deborah Byrd with over 20 years of experience having previously worked on the BET Awards, the Espys, the Tonys, and the 2025 Writers Guild Awards.
For a photo of Atsuko Okatsuka, please click here.
Photo by: Leslie Kee.
The Writers Guild Awards honor outstanding writing in film, television, streaming, news (broadcast and digital), radio/audio, and promotional categories. The 2026 Writers Guild Awards (78th Annual) will be held on Sunday, March 8. For more information about the 2026 Writers Guild Awards, please visit awards.wga.org or wgaeast.org/awards.
Please direct Los Angeles-based media inquiries regarding the 2026 Writers Guild Awards to Bob Hopkinson in the WGAW Communications Department at: (310) 801-8563 or email: Bob Hopkinson.
Please direct New York-based media inquiries regarding the 2026 Writers Guild Awards to Jason Gordon in the WGAE Communications Department at (212) 767-7809 or email: Jason Gordon.
The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) are labor unions representing writers in motion pictures, television, cable, digital media, and broadcast news. The Guilds negotiate and administer contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of their members; conduct programs, seminars, and events on issues of interest to writers; and present writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America West, visit www.wga.org. For more information on the Writers Guild of America East, visit www.wgaeast.org.