Matthew Rhys wins two lead acting Emmys in one night

tvSep 14, 2026721,591

At the Emmy Awards ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Monday night, Matthew Rhys won two Outstanding Lead Actor Emmys in a single ceremony for The Beast in Me and Widow's Bay. He became the first person in Emmy history to win two lead acting awards in one night and the first man to have won lead acting prizes across the drama, comedy and limited series categories over the course of his career. UPI reported Rhys among early winners the night, alongside other actors such as Jean Smart and Allison Janney. The wins complete what outlets described as an Emmys trifecta for Rhys, marking a career sweep of the three top lead-acting fields.

DiscussingFilm

@discussingfilm.net

Matthew Rhys has become the first actor in history to win 2 leading acting Emmys in the same year. See the full winners list: bit.ly/EmmyWins26

2302h ago

Erika with a K8

Wow! And he deserves both!

jimmiexxx.bsky.social4

He’s so good in everything he is in, well deserved

KCFusion3

He deserves it. He’s great in everything he does

Quoting this

Return of the Cmonmacques16

We love our creepy guys

Viced Rhino5

Kevin Sorbo, upon realizing that he wasn't even nominated for his role in any of the 8 movies he's been in so far in 2026:

🌿🌞Sarah🌛🦋3

Definitely deserved for Widows Bay, I unexpectedly loved it

🍃🍃🍃 Adam Jay 🍎🍎🍎3

Quickly becoming one of my all time favorite actors.

Marisa Artista2

This dude breaking records for this alone ❤️🤣 #WidowsBay #Emmys

Thrillhouse Gaming2

Show of the year. Actor of the year. Restarting it the second the awards are over. Welcome back to spooky szn.

Pop Crave

@popcrave.com

Matthew Rhys wins Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for ‘Widow’s Bay’ at the Emmys.

2232h ago

Sharon B4

And it’s actually a comedy, at that!

Charles2

What’s up with him not thanking his partner Keri Russell?

Quoting this

bri hopes they all lose9

comedy series but i literally could only get 3 episodes in bc it was too scary despite literally having worked at some of the ports it was filmed in and spending every summer at these places my whole life

Ben McAdams (The Resurrection Arc)8

He shoulda won it for Perry Mason

Maralyn Maralyn3

I'm happy about this too. This guy is an amazing actor.

jaly2

e eu posso dizer com orgulho que sou apaixonado nele desde que ele fazia a gay amarga kevin walker na deliciosa brothers & sisters

The New York Times

@nytimes.com

Matthew Rhys made Emmys history by becoming the first person to win lead acting awards in the drama, comedy and limited series categories across a career. On Monday, he took home lead acting prizes for “The Beast in Me” and “Widow’s Bay.” nyti.ms/4yILKQ5

Matthew Rhys at the Emmys. A headline reads: "Matthew Rhys Achieves a Historic Emmys Trifecta." Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

1732h ago

Pusheen The Millennial1

Truly well deserved. On his way to the GOAT tier

Tom & Lorenzo

@tomandlorenzo.bsky.social

It's never not a shock hearing Matthew Rhys's Welsh accent. I swear his entire posture changes

1082h ago

New York Magazine

@nymag.com

Matthew Rhys has made #Emmys history. He is now the first person ever to claim both lead actor prizes in a single ceremony and the first male performer to win in all three lead acting categories.

832h ago

Quoting this

🗽Can't Think of Clever Name 🗽2

Now give me some more seasons of Perry Mason

Rick Porter

@rickporter.bsky.social

Matthew Rhys has completed the Emmy equivalent of a grand slam (except it's only 3, so a triple I guess): First man to win lead actor in a comedy, drama and limited/miniseries.

592h ago

Matt Mitovich5

For the grand slam, you also need to win for hosting a reality show. But a triple crown is impressive!

Daniel Fienberg

@thefienprint.bsky.social

Sally Field and Matthew Rhys winning #Emmys in the same programming block counts as a single win for "Brothers & Sisters," I believe.

672h ago

Eric Deggans

@edeggans.bsky.social

Matthew Rhys rides his likability and the Widow's Bay steamroller into #Emmys history, winning best actor in a comedy not long after winning best actor in a limited series. Thanked the people from his home country of Wales, "a small but mighty nation."

652h ago

CNN

@cnn.com

Matthew Rhys has won the award for best lead actor in a limited series or TV movie for his role in "The Beast In Me." Follow live updates: https://cnn.it/4rf9AAv

642h ago

Judy Berman

@judyberman.bsky.social

What do we have to do to get Matthew Rhys a project that allows him to use his goddamn beautiful Welsh accent?

362h ago

Sam Adams12

bring back The Wine Show

Sarah D(estroy ICE) Bunting5

Resurrect Perry Mason and give PM a concussion? (I’ll try anything)

Christina Orlando2

it's a terrible movie but i believe he does in the edge of love. unfortunately so does keira knightley.

Quoting this

your friend oriana4

someone greenlight my adaptation of the mabinogion

The Joe Gross2

Definitely in the conversation for lone human in all Muppets cast. Maybe something out of Welsh mythology? He and Kermit have to fight Sweetums or something.

Every Film Now

@everyfilmnow.bsky.social

Matthew Rhys makes ‘EMMYS’ history as the first performer to win across all three lead acting categories - comedy, drama, and limited series. He is also the first man to win two lead acting Emmys in the same year. #MatthewRhys #Emmys