All you need to know about ‘Widow’s Bay’ star Matthew Rhys

All you need to know about Emmy-winning icon Matthew Rhys. (Instagram)

Matthew Rhys, the leading star of the up-and-coming series 'Widow's Bay,' proved that talent and hard work pay off. The show itself scored 19 Emmy nominations for its first season at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, with Rhys making history with his consecutive wins.

Matthew Rhys wins two lead acting wins in one night at the Emmys 2026

The beloved actor scored his first big win for the night with the Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series award for his performance in OTT’s ‘The Beast in Me.’ He beat out some big contenders for the award, which also included names like Riz Ahmed for 'Bait,' Jason Bateman for ‘Black Rabbit,' Charlie Hunnam for ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story,' and Oscar Isaac for 'Beef.'Later on in the award ceremony, the actor was then called on stage for the Lead Actor in a Comedy Series award for his leading show ‘Widow's Bay.’

People cheered even louder as the commentator shared that he made history by winning two lead acting awards in one night as he walked up to the stage to accept the award. He competed against Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for ‘Wonder Man,' Steve Carell for 'Rooster,' Jason Segel for 'Shrinking,' and Martin Short for ‘Only Murders in the Building.

' He ended up becoming the first actor in Emmy history to win two lead acting prizes on the same night.

Who is Matthew Rhys?

Matthew Rhys is a well-known Welsh actor who has been in the acting industry for the past 30 years. Matthew Rhys Evans was born on November 8, 1974, in Cardiff, Wales. His first experience with acting was around the age of 17, when he played the role of Elvis Presley in a school musical. Taking acting and drama more seriously, he was later accepted to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. During his time in school, he continued working and scored roles in 'Backup,' ‘House of America,' and ‘Bydd yn Wrol.

' This is also one of his first major projects, which landed him his best actor role at the Welsh BAFTAs.Some of his other well-known works include 'Greenstone,' 'Metropolis,' ‘The Lost World,' 'Columbo,' 'POW,' ‘Brothers and Sisters,' ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood,' ‘Death Comes to Pemberley,' ‘The Americans,' ‘The Bastard Executioner,' ‘Death and Nightingales,' and ‘Perry Mason.'