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Welsh actor Matthew Rhys achieved a historic milestone at the 78th Emmy Awards by becoming the first performer to win lead acting honors in all three major categories. According to The New York Times the 51-year-old took home trophies for outstanding lead actor in a limited series for Netflix’s “The Beast in Me” and in a comedy series for Apple TV+’s “Widow’s Bay” on September 14. This double victory on a single night also marks the first time any actor has claimed two lead acting Emmys simultaneously. The Hollywood Reporter reported that Rhys had previously won the drama category in 2018 for his role as Philip Jennings in “The Americans.”
In his acceptance speech for “The Beast in Me” Rhys expressed surprise at the outcome. “This is a real shock not least because of the caliber and company of the actors in this category” he said as quoted across multiple outlets including Variety. He thanked his co-star Claire Danes describing her as an “intimidating scene partner” and crediting the experience with “bringing out the beast.” The limited series earned nine nominations in total with Rhys prevailing over strong competition that included Oscar Isaac and Riz Ahmed.
Rhys followed up with a win for “Widow’s Bay” where he portrayed Mayor Tom Loftis in the horror-comedy series. People magazine detailed how the actor received a standing ovation from the audience after his second triumph of the evening. “Her genius really does live in the recesses of her disturbed brain” Rhys said of show creator Katie Dippold echoing earlier comments from supporting actor winner Stephen Root. He also paid tribute to director Hiro Murai and extended thanks to “the great and good people of Wales” adding “We are a small but mighty nation.”
The Apple TV+ series “Widow’s Bay” proved a major success at the awards with additional wins for supporting performers Kate O’Flynn and Stephen Root as well as recognition in writing and directing categories. Deadline noted that the show secured 19 nominations overall and performed strongly at the Creative Arts Emmys. Co-star Betty Gilpin also claimed a guest actress award for her contribution to the production. This dominance underscored the series’ critical and popular appeal in the comedy field.
Rhys’s 2018 drama win for “The Americans” laid the groundwork for his unique achievement as reported by the Los Angeles Times. The FX series in which he starred opposite his wife Keri Russell as Soviet spies earned him his first Emmy after multiple nominations. Prior to that he had gained prominence for his role as Kevin Walker in the ABC drama “Brothers & Sisters” from 2006 to 2011. His career now includes eight Emmy nominations and three wins following the latest successes.
Emmys history shows that no previous actor had managed wins across the drama comedy and limited series lead categories. The Wrap highlighted that Rhys was the first man in decades to even receive two lead acting nominations in one year with the last such case occurring in 1995 involving John Goodman. None of those earlier double nominees had converted their nods into victories on the night. This context amplifies the rarity of Rhys’s accomplishment at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
In addition to his professional triumphs Rhys acknowledged personal support during his speeches. He thanked his parents for encouraging his early interest in acting and his sister who attended the ceremony with him. The actor also serves as an executive producer on both winning projects adding another layer to his involvement. Industry observers expect this sweep to further elevate his standing in television.
