Matthew Rhys Makes Emmy History With Two Lead Acting Wins

Matthew Rhys made history at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, becoming the first actor to win two lead acting trophies in a single night. The Welsh actor secured the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie award for his role as Nile Jarvis in Netflix's "The Beast in Me," followed by the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series award for his portrayal of Mayor Tom Loftis in Apple TV+'s "Widows Bay." This dual victory marks a historic first for the Emmy Awards. While other performers have won two acting awards in one night, such as James Earl Jones in 1991 and Stockard Channing in 2002, none had previously won both lead categories. The achievement also completes a career milestone for Rhys, who previously won the Lead Actor in a Drama Series Emmy for FX's "The Americans" in 2018. He is now the first male actor to have Emmy wins across all three major lead acting categories: comedy, drama, and limited series/movie. "My apologies to the women who've had to stand again," Rhys said in his acceptance speech for the comedy award, acknowledging the standing ovation.