Stephen Root On Why ‘Widow’s Bay’ Clicks: “Truth In Reality” – Emmys Backstage

Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay is racking it up tonight in the wins category, and Stephen Root who is taking home Best Supporting Actor in Comedy believes the je nais quoi on the show is Matthew Rhys, Matthew Rhys, Matthew Rhys, especially when it comes to pulling off the crazy on the New England island set mystery series.

On the series, Root plays Wyck Crawford, a grizzled local fisherman, boat captain, and longtime island resident. Wyck is beacon of vocal warnings around the island, telling the town about its generational hexes. Rhys as the island’s mayor is forced to turn to him for advise.

“There’s an amazing amount of great character actors on this (show), but as Matthew said at the very beginning at the first table read, we’re not doing a comedy, we’re not doing a horror show, and we’re not doing a drama. What we’re playing is the truth: Truth in reality. All those other things come out of that.”

“That’s where everybody was on the same page, and that’s why we tread the line so well,” he added.

However, which of his co-stars made him become a better performer?

“That would be Matthew Rhys and Kate O’Flynn,” Root answered, “The reason why I get into shows nowadays is to learn from people. Matthew always is a great left, and it’s so nice to have Kate O’Flynn, to see her three feet away, do something with an eye that will knock you over.”

O’Flynn plays the awkward but very dutiful assistant to Rhys’ troubled mayor Tom Loftis.