British star Matthew Rhys made history at the Emmy Awards by scooping two best lead actor awards at the same ceremony.
Picking up his second prize of the night at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, the 51-year-old Welshman paid tribute to “the great and good people of Wales”, which he hailed as “a small but mighty nation”.
Earlier, he won best lead actor in a limited series for his role in the Netflix psychological thriller The Beast in Me.
He later went on to net the best lead comedy actor award for Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay.
Taken together with his 2018 drama win for The Americans, he is the first male performer to win in all three lead acting categories.
In his acceptance speech at the 78th annual Emmy Awards ceremony, Rhys thanked his parents and his sister for her “sage words and patient, patient listening”.
Matthew Rhys made history at the Emmys by winning two best actor awards
AP
He added: “Finally, to the great and good people of Wales, who were as much a nurturer as anyone else. We are a small but mighty nation. This is incredible.”
Speaking backstage holding both Emmys, Rhys said: “The celebrations will be long, varied, and I hope at times wild.”
Other homegrown talent to pick up an Emmy included “Lancashire lass” Kate O’Flynn, who won best supporting actress in a comedy series for playing city worker and social outcast Patricia Moyer in Widow’s Bay.
Speaking from the stage, O’Flynn said: “This is the role of a lifetime. This is for all the Patricias out there.”
The show, created by Katie Dippold about a New England island community dealing with a centuries-old curse, broke the record for a comedy show by receiving a total of 14 awards, including best comedy series.
Zendaya presents the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series award to US actress Jean Smart
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Sir Gary Oldman missed out for the third year running on the award for lead actor in a drama for his starring role as veteran MI5 agent Jackson Lamb in hit Apple TV series Slow Horses.
The prize went to The Pitt actor Noah Wyle, who paid a heartfelt tribute to Oldman and his body of work.
The medical drama, set in a Pittsburgh emergency department, won best drama for the second year running.
Full list of winners at the Emmy Awards 2026
Best Drama Series: The Pitt
Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Noah Wyle, The Pitt
Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Tom Pelphrey, Task
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Allison Janney, The Diplomat
Guest Actor in a Drama Series: Ernest Harden Jr, The Pitt
Guest Actress in a Drama Series: Shailene Woodley, Paradise
Directing for a Drama Series: Saul Metzstein, Slow Horses
Writing for a Drama Series: Vince Gilligan, Pluribus (“We Is Us”)
Noah Wyle, Channing Dungey, Chairwoman & CEO of Warner Bros Television Studio, and Clancy Collins White attend the Governor’s Gala during the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards
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Best Comedy Series: Widow’s Bay
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Matthew Rhys, Widow’s Bay
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Jean Smart, Hacks
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Stephen Root, Widow’s Bay
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Kate O’Flynn, Widow’s Bay
Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: Rob Reiner, The Bear
Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: Betty Gilpin, Widow’s Bay
Directing for a Comedy Series: Hiro Murai, Widow’s Bay
Writing for a Comedy Series: Katie Dippold, Widow’s Bay
Reality Competition Series: The Traitors
Variety Series: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Limited or anthology series and movies
Best Limited or Anthology Series: DTF St Louis
Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me
Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Sally Field, Remarkably Bright Creatures
Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: David Harbour, DTF St Louis
Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Linda Cardellini, DTF St Louis
Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: DTF St Louis
Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: DTF St Louis
Television Movie: Remarkably Bright Creatures
Selena Gomez attends the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards
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Variety and special awards
Variety Special (Live): The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny
Variety Special (Pre-recorded): The Muppet Show
Writing for a Variety Series: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Outstanding Animated Programme: South Park
