Matthew Rhys Makes Emmy History with Dual Lead-Actor Wins
Matthew Rhys became the first performer to capture lead-acting Emmys in drama, comedy and limited series, winning two awards in one night.
Welsh actor Matthew Rhys made Emmy history on September 14, 2026, by winning two lead-acting awards in one evening. He first received the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series for his performance in the thriller "The Beast in Me," then added the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Apple TV's supernatural comedy "Widow's Bay." This dual victory makes him the inaugural performer to win lead Emmys in drama, comedy and limited series, and the first man to secure two lead acting Emmys in a single night.
Rhys previously earned a drama lead Emmy in 2018 for "The Americans," completing the genre sweep. He dedicated the wins to Wales, expressing pride in his heritage during his acceptance speeches. "Widow's Bay" led the ceremony with 14 wins overall.
Why it matters
The wins highlight a rare milestone in television history and underscore Rhys's versatility across genres.
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