Keri Russell addresses being snubbed by partner Matthew Rhys in his 2026 Emmys speeches as she claims it was her idea: 'It's a lot of pressure'

Keri Russell says she let partner Matthew Rhys know it was fine to leave her out of his victory speeches at the Emmy Awards last month.

Rhys, 51, had a huge night at the September 14 ceremony, winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Widow's Bay; and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for The Beast in Me. 

Russell, 50, on Thursday told Chelsea Handler, 51, on the podcast Dear Chelsea that she clarified with Rhys that it was fine for him to omit her from his speeches prior to the award show.

She said that Rhys 'was just so nervous' amid 'a lot of pressure' leading to the event.

'We're both nervous people - we're not in that world that much - we visit that world, and so we were both so nervous,' Russell said. 'I looked at him a few days before and I said, "OK, well, can you articulate what you're most nervous about?"'

'And he's like, "Yeah, having to speak." And I said, "Totally." And I said, "Take me off your plate. Like, you don't have to thank me. I know you love me."'

Keri Russell, 50, says she let partner Matthew Rhys, 51, know it was fine to leave her out of his victory speeches at the Emmy Awards last month. Pictured at the event September 14 in LA 

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Russell and Rhys for further comment on the story.

The topic is a sensitive one for Rhys, Russell said, as he still gets 'a hard time' from peers after not including them in his speech after winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work on The Americans in 2018.

Russell said of the backlash: 'It's so crazy. People get nuts. It's stupid, and it's also lame.'

Handler said that it made sense to thank work colleagues in an acceptance speech over partners.

Russell added, 'I don't care if you want to thank the dog walker - you do whatever you want to do - that's your minute, that's your 45 seconds. So I just said, "Take me off your plate."

'We kind of said to each other, "We don't have to thank each other - this is private; this is for the business people. Thank whoever you want to thank.'

In accepting the honors for The Beast in Me, Rhys said, 'If you try to turn me off, I'll stab you in the eyes with this,' in reference to the statuette he received.

He continued, 'This is a real shock, not least because of the caliber and company of the actors in this program,' mentioning his co-star Claire Danes, who he said brought a strong presence to the crime drama.

Rhys but did not mention Russell across two speeches, causing some users on social media to take notice 

Rhys had a huge night at the September 14 ceremony - winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Widow's Bay; and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for The Beast in Me 

Russell had been seen applauding Rhys following one of his wins on the night 

Rhys thanked The Beast in Me co-star Claire Danes, who stood up after one of his wins

Rhys said: '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 all of this.'

Following his victory for his work on Widow's Bay, the Welsh star received a standing ovation from the crowd after capturing both awards for lead acting roles.

He said, 'My apologies to the women who had to stand,' prior to thanking the show's creator Katie Dippold, adding that 'her genius really does live in the recesses of her disturbed brain.'

Rhys also mentioned his parents and sister for 'all the sage words and patient listening,' but did not mention Russell, causing some users on social media to take notice.

Russell, who initially crossed paths with Rhys filming The Americans in 2012, had been up for multiple honors at the show herself for her work on The Diplomat. 

They included Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and, as an executive producer, Outstanding Drama Series.