‘Beast in Me’ Star Matthew Rhys Wins Emmy for Lead Actor in Limited Series

Matthew Rhys has won the Emmy Award for outstanding lead actor in a limited series for “The Beast in Me” Season 2.

With the win, Rhys beat out fellow nominees Riz Ahmed (“Bait”), Jason Bateman (“Black Rabbit”), Charlie Hunnam (“Monster: The Ed Gein Story”), and Oscar Isaac (“Beef”).

“If you try to play me off, I’ll stab you in the eyes with this,” Rhys cheekily said onstage upon receiving his statuette. “This is a real shock, not least because the caliber and company of the actors in this program. We had a holy trinity of scribes in the glorious form of Daniel Pearle, Gabe Rotter, and Howard Gordon, who really brought out the beast in all of us. We were guided so beautifully by Antonio Campos, but certainly led ferociously, fiercely, fervently by the incredible Claire Danes. Thank you for letting me join the mystery machine and bringing out the beast. You are an intimidating scene partner, but I’m very grateful for for all this.”

Rhys is a three-time nominee this year. He also shares in “The Beast in Me’s” nomination for outstanding limited series as an executive producer, while he is also up for the award for outstanding lead actor in a comedy for Apple TV’s “Widow’s Bay.” Should he also win the award for “Widow’s Bay,” he will become the first person to win two lead acting Emmys in one night.

He has received eight Emmy nominations in total throughout his career, including three nods (and one win) for the critically-acclaimed FX series “The Americans.” He was also previously nominated for his work in HBO’s “Perry Mason,” in which he played the title role. Beyond “Widow’s Bay,” he is staying in business with Apple TV with a lead role in “Presumed Innocent” Season 2.