Kate O’Flynn Wins Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Comedy for ‘Widow’s Bay’: ‘This Is a Role of a Lifetime’

Kate O’Flynn won the Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for Apple TV’s breakout horror-comedy “Widow’s Bay,” earning the British actor her first Emmy on her first nomination.

“Thank you so much. Oh wow, gosh!” O’Flynn said to roaring applause while accepting the award on stage. “I want to thank all the residents of ‘Widow’s Bay’ in front of and behind the camera. You’re amazing. This is the role of a lifetime. Thank you, Katie [Dippold] for trusting me to play a saucy broad like Patricia. And Apple [TV] for saying yes.”

She went on to thank her friends and family “back home” and “my darling husband and our darling daughter: another saucy broad in the making.”

“This is for all the Patricias out there!” she concluded her speech.

O’Flynn beat fellow “Widow’s Bay” nominee Dale Dickey, “Hacks” stars Hannah Einbinder and Meg Stalter, “Abbott Elementary’s” Janelle James, “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” star Michelle Pfeiffer and “Shrinking’s” Jessica Williams.

O’Flynn stars as Patricia, the socially awkward chief assistant to Matthew Rhys’ Mayor Tom Loftis in Katie Dippold’s genre-bending series. Set on a remote New England island, “Widow’s Bay” follows Tom’s attempt to revive the town by transforming it into a tourist destination — despite generations of local lore warning that the island is cursed. As increasingly bizarre and supernatural events begin piling up, Patricia emerges as one of Tom’s closest allies in figuring out what is actually happening.

The series proved one of the year’s biggest Emmy breakouts, earning 19 nominations in its first season, including outstanding comedy series and acting nods for Rhys, O’Flynn, Dickey and Stephen Root. It entered the main ceremony with considerable momentum after winning eight prizes at the earlier Emmy ceremonies, including guest actress for Betty Gilpin.

O’Flynn, known for extensive work on British stage and screen, had never previously been nominated for an Emmy. Her performance as Patricia has also emerged as one of the most acclaimed turns on the freshman series.