Matthew Rhys makes history as Widow's Bay dominates Emmy Awards

Matthew Rhys has made history at last night's (14 September) Emmy Awards, going home with the golden statuettes for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series for Netflix's The Beast in Me and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Apple TV's hit show, Widow's Bay.

Rhys has become the first person to claim two top acting awards in a single ceremony, and has now bagged all three major acting prizes with his 2018 win for The Americans, where he was awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series.

The Welsh star is part of the cast of Widow's Bay, a supernatural delight unfolding in a clearly cursed island off the coast of Massachusetts. Created by Katie Dippold, the series won big at this year's Emmys, earning the coveted award for Outstanding Comedy Series alongside acting prizes for Rhys, Kate O'Flynn as fan-favourite character Patricia, and Stephen Root as Wyck.

Related: Best streaming services UK 2026 – including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV

Dippold and director Hiro Murai also won in the writing and directing categories for the show's first episode, with Betty Gilpin being awarded the statuette for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.

The show won seven more awards at the Emmys, including those for best casting and cinematography.

Premiering in April, Widow's Bay pays homage to staples in the horror genre to craft a hilarious original story that blends workplace comedy with genuine frights. Rhys plays Mayor Tom Loftis, determined to revamp tourism on the sleepy island and ignoring all warnings that Widow's Bay may, in fact, be cursed.

Tom is joined in his desperate quest by his assistant Patricia and opposed by fisherman Wyck, who firmly believes there's something's wrong with the island.

The cast for the series also includes Emmy nominee Dale Dickey as slacker Rosemary, Kingston Rumi Southwick as Tom's son Evan, Jeff Hiller as Dale, and Hamish Linklater in a devilish guest spot.

Widow's Bay is streaming on Apple TV. A second season has been confirmed.

Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.

The new edition of Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Ariana Grande, is here! Buy Ariana Grande in newsagents or online.

Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. 

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).