Matthew Rhys is staying humble after his massive night at the 2026 Emmy Awards thanks to some dry humor from his longtime partner Keri Russell.
After his historic wins as the lead actor in Netflix limited series The Beast in Me and Apple TV+ horror-comedy Widow’s Bay made him the first person to win two lead acting Emmys in one night, Rhys told E! News that the awards are not taken too seriously in his household with Russell, his partner since 2014.
“These events are kind of incredible and incredulous, and kind of bizarre, and everything in between,” the Welsh actor, 51, said to the outlet after his second win Monday night. “I think a healthy sense of humor always helps.”
Rhys went on to say that before the ceremony, Russell told him: “If you win both, I’m not coming home with you.”
He joked that he responded, “Okay, fair enough.” When asked if Russell’s joke meant that he was free for the evening, he added, “I don’t know if I’m free. Lonely, maybe.”
Together with his 2018 lead drama win for The Americans, Rhys is now the first male performer to win in all three lead acting categories.
Widow’s Bay picked up the most wins during TV’s biggest night with 14, including Best Comedy Series, Best Writing, Best Lead Actor, and Best Supporting Actress and Actor, among others.
Rhys and Russell, 50, have been together since they fell in love as co-stars on the set of spy drama series The Americans. The actors share one 10-year-old son together and Rhys helps to raise Russell’s two older children from a previous marriage.
Although he did not acknowledge Russell in either of his two acceptance speeches, Rhys spoke about his partner — who was also nominated for best drama actress for the third year in a row for The Diplomat — in the press room after his wins.
Rhys joked about the competitiveness between the couple: “It’s not playful. I’ve got a lot of money on myself.”
“The kids ran a book, and I was the odds-on favorite,” he continued, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s going to be a rough week for her. I’m sorry — I don’t know if I am to be perfectly honest.”
On a more serious note, he said that Russell is a “class act” and “always the real winner, if I’m perfectly honest.”
“And I think next year she might get one, that’s my bet,” he added of the eight-time Emmy nominee.
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