Matthew Rhys wins two lead Emmys on the same night
Matthew Rhys won lead Emmys for a limited series and comedy drama on the same night. This was a first.
Rhys won the lead actor Emmy for a limited series on Netflix's The Beast in Me. Later in the evening, he won the lead comedy actor Emmy for Apple TV's Widow's Bay.
Matthew Rhys is the first person in 78 years of Emmy history to win two lead acting Emmys on the same night. In the limited series race, Rhys beat Oscar Isaac, Riz Ahmed, Jason Bateman and Charlie Hunnam.
In comedy, he beat Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Steve Carell, Jason Segel and Martin Short. Combined with his 2018 drama Emmy for The Americans, Rhys is now the first male performer to hold lead Emmys in all three categories.
The only performer of any gender to complete this set before Rhys is Barbara Stanwyck, who won all three lead actress categories between 1961 and 1983.
- 78
- Years in Emmy history
- Barbara Stanwyck, 1961-1983
- Previous Emmy winner
- The Beast in Me (Netflix)
- Limited series role
- Widow's Bay (Apple TV)
- Comedy role
Why it mattersMatthew Rhys achieved a milestone that no other actor reached for nearly eight decades. He is now one of television's most decorated male performers.
AustraliaMatthew Rhys is widely known in Australia through The Americans and his other acclaimed roles; his Emmy sweep is a win for the shows and networks Australians watch and talk about.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 9 d ago
