Matthew Rhys made television history at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, becoming the first individual to capture two lead acting honors in a single evening. The Welsh actor took home awards for his performances in the supernatural comedy series Widow’s Bay and the psychological thriller The Beast in Me.
Rhys claimed the prize for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for his role in The Beast in Me before following it up with a win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Widow’s Bay. While other notable actors such as Alan Alda, Sally Field, John Goodman, Elisabeth Moss, and Ted Danson have received nominations in both lead categories during the same year, Rhys is the first to achieve a double victory.
Accepting his second award, Rhys dedicated the honor to his home country. “We are a small but mighty nation. This is incredible,” he said, adding in Welsh, “Diolch yn fawr i lawn.” He noted that as someone from a smaller nation, he was pleased to put the flag on the map and demonstrate that they “punch higher than their weight sometimes.”
The ceremony, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, also celebrated other significant achievements. Kate O’Flynn, Rhys’s co-star in Widow’s Bay, won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. O’Flynn, from Bury in Greater Manchester, thanked the producers for trusting “this Lancashire lass” to play the character Patricia.
Jean Smart and Allison Janney also stood out on the night, each recording their eighth Emmy wins and tying the record for the most acting victories held by Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Smart won best comedy actress for the final season of Hacks, while Janney took home the award for best supporting actress in a drama for The Diplomat, an outcome she described as a genuine surprise.
Additionally, Noah Wyle secured the lead actor in a drama award for the second consecutive year for The Pitt, which also won the top prize for Outstanding Drama Series. Rhea Seehorn earned her first Emmy for lead actress in a drama for Pluribus.
The evening featured poignant tributes to Dolly Parton, who passed away the previous month, with Sally Field leading a tribute alongside a performance by Reba McEntire. Michael J. Fox received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his Parkinson’s disease advocacy, and Macaulay Culkin, Annie Murphy, and Dan Levy honored the late Catherine O’Hara.
I still don’t get why Widow’s Bay won best comedy. Is it really on the same level as Hacks? Seems like a stretch to me.
So proud of Matthew Rhys! His dedication to Wales was beautiful. ‘Small but mighty’ indeed. Wales punch above its weight!
Wait, winning lead awards in both comedy and drama? That is absolutely insane. I’ve never seen anyone cross genres like that before!