It’s Matthew Rhys’ TV world, and we’re all just living in it. Rhys won not one but two acting awards at the 2026 Emmy Awards, on a night when both Widow’s Bay and Apple dominated. And the streamer’s huge night also included a long-overdue Emmy win for Pluribus‘ Rhea Seehorn.
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Matthew Rhys Made Emmys Acting Award History with His 2026 Win
Apple TV’s horror-comedy Widow’s Bay set the record for most Comedy wins at the 78th annual Emmy Awards with a whopping fourteen golden statues. That broke the record of 13 set just last year by The Studio. Widow’s Bay’s victories included one of the night’s biggest, Outstanding Comedy Series. Other notable wins include Matthew Rhys for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, Stephen Root for Supporting Actor, show creator Katie Dippold for Writing, and Hiro Murai for Director.
Rhys won his other acting win on the night for his role for Lead Actor in a limited-series for his role as Miles Jarvis on Netflix’s The Beast in Me. (Netflix earned 16 Emmys this year in total, third most for any network.)
All of this is Emmys History. Rhys is the first person to ever win two different acting category awards on the same night. And he is also now the only actor to ever win Lead Actor Emmys for Comedy, Drama (The Americans), and a Limited Series.
Rhea Seehorn Finally Won Her Emmy in 2026 After Years of Being Snubbed
The night also saw Rhea Seehorn, who easily could have won multiple Emmys for her incredible work on Better Call Saul, get called to the stage for the first time. She won Lead Actress in a Drama for Pluribus. The show also nabbed Vince Gilligan his first-ever solo Emmy. He won for Writing. These victories were a part of Apple’s huge night. It garnered 28 Emmys over the three-night event. That was easily the most 2026 Emmys won among all networks and streamers. It’s also Apple’s best showing ever.
The Emmys’ 2026 In Memoriam Broke Our Hearts
The show’s In Memoriam also included a beautiful tribute to the late Catherine O’Hara led by Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin and Schitt’s Creek‘s Annie Murphy and Dan Levy. The telecast also paid tribute to Dolly Parton, as Reba McEntire sang a song in memory of the late icon.
Other Important Emmy Wins
Usual Emmys juggernaut HBO Max wasn’t exactly shut out, though. It took home 19 wins, including six for recent sensation The Pitt. The hit series once again claimed Best Drama. Star Noah Wyle was also a repeat winner for Best Actor in a Drama. And while viewers of last night’s show barely got to see it, Best Limited-Series winner DTF St. Louis also took home seven statues in total. That included wins given away previously at the Creative Emmys to pop culture favorites David Harbour and Linda Cardellini. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms took home one award for Outstanding Stunt Performance.
Speaking of favorites, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert ended its run on a high note. It won its final entry in the Late Night category. The show also claimed five other categories. Jean Smart also again won Best Actress in a Comedy for the final season of Hacks. The Muppets also had a big night. Disney’s The Muppet Show special from Seth Rogen took home four.
Nerdist Take: Emmys 2026 Belong to Apple
In the end, the 2026 Emmys will belong to Apple, Widow’s Bay, and, most of all, Matthew Rhys. But with the career he’s had, we won’t be surprised if he finds a way to win all three lead acting awards next year.
Full List of Emmys 2026 Award Winners
Outstanding drama series
WINNER: The Pitt
Outstanding comedy series
WINNER: Widow’s Bay
Outstanding limited or anthology series
WINNER: DTF St. Louis
Outstanding variety series
WINNER: The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Outstanding lead actor in a drama series
WINNER: Noah Wyle, The Pitt
Outstanding lead actress in a drama series
WINNER: Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus
Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series
WINNER: Matthew Rhys, Widow’s Bay
Outstanding lead actress in a comedy series
WINNER: Jean Smart, Hacks
Outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie
WINNER: Sally Field, Remarkably Bright Creatures
Outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie
WINNER: Matthew Rhys, The Beast In Me
Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series
WINNER: Kate O’Flynn, Widow’s Bay
Outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series
WINNER: Stephen Root, Widow’s Bay
Outstanding supporting actor in a drama series
WINNER: Tom Pelphrey, Task
Outstanding supporting actress in a drama series
WINNER: Allison Janney, The Diplomat
Outstanding supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie
WINNER: Linda Cardellini, DTF St. Louis
Outstanding supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie
WINNER: David Harbour, DTF St. Louis
Outstanding directing for a comedy series
WINNER: Hiro Murai, Widow’s Bay
Outstanding directing for a drama series
WINNER: Saul Metzstein, Slow Horses
Outstanding writing for a comedy series
WINNER: Katie Dippold, Widow’s Bay
Outstanding writing for a drama series
WINNER: Vince Gilligan, Pluribus
Outstanding reality competition program
WINNER: The Traitors