Matthew Rhys Makes Emmy History With Two Lead Acting Wins

LOS ANGELES — Matthew Rhys became the first performer in the history of the Television Academy to win two lead acting trophies across different genre categories in the same Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony.

His first victory came in the comedy category, where Rhys won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Apple TV+’s comedy-horror series Widow’s Bay. The series arrived with 19 nominations and secured six Primetime Emmys.

Rhys later took Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Netflix’s drama The Beast in Me. He had previously won an Emmy in 2018 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, recognized for his performance as Philip Jennings in FX’s Cold War spy series The Americans.

Widow’s Bay also won Outstanding Comedy Series. Stephen Root and Kate O’Flynn received the supporting acting honors in the comedy category for their performances in the production.

In the drama field, Rhea Seehorn won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Apple TV+’s sci-fi drama Pluribus. It was her first Emmy Award, following two prior nominations for her role as Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul.

Jean Smart claimed Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for playing legendary comedian Deborah Vance in HBO’s Hacks. The award adds to Smart’s previous Emmy wins for Hacks, Frasier, and Samantha Who?.

Katie Dippold, known for her television writing on Parks and Recreation, won Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for Widow’s Bay. Hiro Murai, who previously earned director nominations for Atlanta, received Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series.

HBO’s medical series The Pitt earned Outstanding Drama Series, while Noah Wyle won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for portraying a senior emergency room physician. The victory was Wyle’s first Emmy win after five previous nominations during his 11-season tenure as Dr. John Carter on NBC’s medical drama ER between 1994 and 2009.

Vince Gilligan, creator of Breaking Bad and co-creator of Better Call Saul, won Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Pluribus.

In the limited series categories, Sally Field won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Netflix’s adaptation of Remarkably Bright Creatures. The two-time Academy Award winner received those Oscars for Norma Rae and Places in the Heart, and had previously won Emmys for Sybil in 1977 and Brothers & Sisters in 2007.

Allison Janney won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Netflix’s political thriller The Diplomat. It was Janney’s eighth career Emmy Award, following her honors for The West Wing, Mom, and Masters of Sex, as well as her 2018 Academy Award for I, Tonya.

HBO’s DTF St. Louis received Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, while Tom Pelphrey won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work in HBO’s crime drama Task.

Across the full awards cycle, including the main Primetime Emmy broadcast and the Creative Arts Emmy ceremonies held over the two preceding nights, Apple TV+ secured 28 Emmys. That total comprised eight Primetime Emmys and 20 Creative Arts Emmys.

HBO finished second overall among networks and platforms with 21 total statuettes: five Primetime Emmys and 16 Creative Arts Emmys. Netflix accumulated 16 total Emmys, winning three Primetime Emmys alongside 13 Creative Arts Emmys.