Widow’s Bay actor Matthew Rhys achieves historic Emmy’s double win, without mentioning wife Keri Russell

Welsh actor Matthew Rhys has made history at the Emmy’s by being the first male to win the Outstanding Lead Actor award across two different categories in one night, as well as becoming the only performer to have won the Outstanding Lead Actor Emmy across all three possible genres.

The 51-year-old took home the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Mayor Tom Lofits in Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay, and the same award in the Limited Series category for his role as Nile Jarvis in Netflix’s The Beast in Me.

The two wins top off his 2018 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Philip Jennings in The Americans, making him the first person in 78-years of the award show’s history to take home all three genres.

However, social media users were quick to comment on Rhys’ lack of acknowledgement of his wife, fellow Emmy-nominated performer Keri Russell., during his acceptances speeches.

Instead, Rhys thanked “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,” the actor continued.

Backstage after his historic wins, Rhys corrected the record while talking to reporters, blaming shock and overwhelm for forgetting his wife.

“That was such a shock, as I am sure you could tell from the rambling speech I gave … a vomit of a speech,” the Emmy winner said.

“I genuinely can’t believe it. I hope to reflect on it tomorrow. At the moment, I genuinely can’t quite believe what has happened.”

Following up about Russell, Rhys reinforced that the couple does not take award season too seriously.

Russell, nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for the third year in a row, had told Rhys “‘if you win both, I’m not coming home with you,” to which he replied “okay, fair enough”.

When asked about the competition between the couple, Rhys joked: “It’s not playful.”

“The kids ran a book, and I was the odds-on favourite. It’s going to be a rough week for her,” he said.

Rhys shared his hope for his eight-time Emmy nominee partner’s future win when reflecting on her support of his career.

“I think next year she might get one, that’s my bet.”