Matthew Rhys’ sister celebrates historic Emmy wins with family pride

Rachel Evans, the older sister of actor Matthew Rhys, expressed immense pride following his groundbreaking achievement at the Emmy Awards. Rhys made television history by becoming the first person to win two lead acting Emmys in one evening, taking home awards for his roles in the psychological thriller The Beast In Me and the comedy Widow’s Bay.

Evans attended the ceremony in Los Angeles alongside Rhys and described the experience as unforgettable. She recalled telling her “bossy” sibling beforehand that he needed to prepare thoroughly for any acceptance speech, remarking, “If you win, you cannot wing it.”

The celebration included a touching virtual connection with their parents, who watched from their home in Wales while wearing dressing gowns. Evans shared that the family spent a long time giggling after the wins, noting that they were “pinching ourselves all week.” She also highlighted the enthusiastic support of Rhys’ partner, Keri Russell, who cheered wildly after each victory.

During his acceptance speech, Rhys honored his Welsh heritage, referring to the country as a “small but mighty nation” and thanking the “great and good people of Wales” for their nurturing influence. He concluded with “diolch yn fawr iawn,” the Welsh phrase for thank you very much.

Evans noted that Rhys had called her “the brains of the outfit” during his speech, a moment she found deeply emotional. Despite living abroad for 25 years, she emphasized that Wales remains his home and that the overwhelming support from back home had been a constant source of encouragement throughout his career.