Welsh actor Matthew Rhys makes Emmy history with double lead acting win

A landmark double at the 78th Emmys

Welsh actor Matthew Rhys became the first male performer to win two lead acting awards at the same Emmy ceremony, picking up best lead actor in a limited series for the Netflix thriller The Beast in Me and best lead comedy actor for Apple TV's Widow's Bay at the 78th annual Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Combined with his 2018 lead drama win for The Americans, the 51-year-old is the first male performer to have won in all three lead acting categories.

Speech pays tribute to Wales

Accepting his second award of the night, Rhys thanked his family and turned his remarks to his homeland. He thanked his parents and his sister for her "sage words and patient, patient listening," before adding: "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 while holding both trophies, Rhys said his celebrations would be "long, varied, and I hope at times wild."

Widow's Bay breaks a comedy record

Rhys's Apple TV series Widow's Bay, created by Katie Dippold and set in a New England island community dealing with a centuries-old curse, broke the record for a comedy show by receiving 14 awards, including best comedy series. Fellow British winner Kate O'Flynn, described as a "Lancashire lass," took best supporting actress in a comedy series for her role as city worker and social outcast Patricia Moyer in Widow's Bay, saying from the stage: "This is the role of a lifetime. This is for all the Patricias out there."

Other notable results from the ceremony

Sir Gary Oldman missed out for the third year running on the lead drama actor award for his role as MI5 agent Jackson Lamb in Slow Horses, with the prize going to Noah Wyle for The Pitt. The Pitt also won best drama for the second year running and best guest actor in a drama series for Ernest Harden Jr., while Rhea Seehorn won lead actress in a drama for Pluribus, Tom Pelphrey took supporting actor for Task, and Allison Janney won supporting actress for The Diplomat.