Figure caption, Watch: Highlights from the 2026 Emmy Awards, a star-studded and record-breaking nightByIan Youngs and Steven McIntoshUpdated 3 hours agoWelsh actor Matthew Rhys has made history at the Emmy Awards, becoming the first person to win two lead acting prizes in one night. Rhys was recognised at the prestigious US ceremony for his roles in supernatural TV comedy Widow's Bay and psychological thriller The Beast In Me.

On stage, Rhys dedicated his second award "to the great and good people of Wales, who were as much a nurture as anyone else"." We are a small but mighty nation.

This is incredible," he said, adding " Diolch yn fawr iawn" - which means "thank you very much" in Welsh. The winners and nominations in fullThe red carpet in picturesMemorable moments from the Emmys and everything you couldn't see on TVOther winners of the coveted US TV awards included Jean Smart, Allison Janney and Stephen Colbert, while there was an emotional tribute to Dolly Parton and a special humanitarian award for Michael J Fox.

Figure caption, Watch: Selena Gomez, Zendaya and other stars light up Emmys red carpetProud Rhys flies the flagRhys was named best lead actor in a limited series for The Beast In Me, then won best lead actor in a comedy for Widow's Bay. A small number of actors, including Alan Alda, Sally Field, John Goodman, Elisabeth Moss and Ted Danson, have previously been nominated for two lead acting prizes in the same year, but Rhys is the first to score a double win.

Backstage, he said: " I'm from a small country, and I'm glad we get moments to kind of put our flag on the map and say, 'we punch higher than our weight sometimes'." Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Rhys attended the ceremony with his partner, US actress Keri Russell, who was also nominated for an EmmyThe Beast In Me follows a grieving author, played by Claire Danes, who becomes obsessed with a mysterious new neighbour suspected of murder.

Rhys said it was a "real shock" to win the award, and told Danes: " Thank you for letting me join the mystery machine and bringing out the beast, you are an intimidating scene partner, but I'm grateful for all this." A win for ' Lancashire lass' Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Kate O' Flynn thanked Widow's Bay producers for "trusting this Lancashire lass" His Widow's Bay co-star Kate O' Flynn was among the other British winners, being named best supporting comedy actress for playing Patricia in the show about a fictional island beset by a centuries-old curse."