Matthew Rhys makes Emmy Awards history with lead acting wins for 2 shows
Rhys delivered two speeches at the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday.
History was made at the 2026 Emmy Awards by actor Matthew Rhys.
LIVE UPDATES: Winners and best moments from the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards
Rhys won two awards at Monday night's ceremony, becoming the first actor in Emmys history to win two lead actor awards in the same year.
Rhys won outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for his role in "The Beast in Me."
In the Netflix series, Rhys stars alongside Claire Danes as a real estate mogul who is a suspect in the disappearance of his wife.
In his acceptance speech, Rhys shouted out his co-star, saying the show was “certainly led ferociously, fiercely, fervently by the incredible Claire Danes,” and called her an “intimidating scene partner.”
Later in the Emmys ceremony, Rhys won the award for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for his role in "Widow's Bay."
In the Apple TV series, Rhys plays a widower who is the mayor of Widow's Bay, a small island off the coast of New England.
Rhys previously won the outstanding lead actor in a drama series Emmy in 2018 for his role in "The Americans."
He starred in the series alongside his longtime partner, Keri Russell, who was also by his side to watch him make history at the Emmys on Monday night.
Russell herself was nominated for two Emmys this year -- outstanding lead actress in a drama series and outstanding drama series -- both for her show "The Diplomat."
