Emmys Trifecta: Matthew Rhys Sets Two Emmy Records with Second Statuette of the Night
Rhys became the first performer to win two lead acting Emmys in one night, topping favorites Oscar Isaac and others in both categories.
- On Monday, September 14, 2026, actor Matthew Rhys won two lead-acting Emmys at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the first performer to secure both awards in a single night for Netflix's 'The Beast in Me' and Apple TV's 'Widow's Bay'.
- Rhys's dual victory completes a historic trifecta, making him the first man to win lead-acting Emmys across all three major categories. Building on his 2018 drama win for FX's 'The Americans', he solidified his status as a rare cross-genre talent.
- Critics viewed the win for 'The Beast in Me' as an upset over Oscar Isaac, while 'Widow's Bay' dominated with 14 awards. Rhys adopted a grounded approach to portray Mayor Tom Loftis, focusing on real people rather than comedy mechanics.
- Accepting his second award, Rhys dedicated it to "the great and good people of Wales, who were as much a nurture as anyone else." He credited 'Widow's Bay' creator Katie Dippold for her "depraved and twisted mind."
- Apple TV will continue collaborating with Rhys, who stars in the second season of legal drama 'Presumed Innocent'. 'Widow's Bay' has also been renewed for season two, extending his presence across the streamer's slate.
130 Articles
130 Articles
Matthew Rhys has had an uncanny talent for disappearing into his characters over the years. He plays Americans so convincingly that it's easy to forget that he was born and raised in Cardiff, that Welsh is his first language and that his real accent is a far cry from the voices he uses in most of his most famous roles. After this year's Emmy awards, however, it will be hard to overlook his name.
There are actors who appear in a series and do their job well. There are others who get the series to be better simply because they are in it. And then there is Matthew Rhys. That’s why, when this morning the Welsh actor took two Emmy performance at the same gala, one for The Curse of Widow’s Bay and another for The Beast in me, my first reaction wasn’t exactly surprising. It was more like thinking: he deserves it.
The Apple TV+ series won 14 statues and Matthew Rhys took two lead actor awards, the first to do so. "The Pitt" won the Drama again and Jean Smart made a story with "Hacks".
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 47% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
