Matthew Rhys emerged as one of the biggest winners at the 2026 Emmys, taking home Lead Actor awards for both comedy and limited series. His comedy Widow’s Bay collected 14 Emmys, while Noah Wyle won Lead Actor in a Drama for The Pitt. Jean Smart, Rhea Seehorn and Sally Field also secured major acting honours.
The 78th Emmy Awards ceremony was held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Monday, September 14, with Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay serving as host. The night delivered several historic moments, led by Matthew Rhys, who made Emmy history by winning two lead actor awards at the same ceremony.
Rhys first won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Widow’s Bay, defeating a competitive field that included Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Wonder Man), Steve Carell (Rooster), Jason Segel (Shrinking), and Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building). He later won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for The Beast in Me, defeating Riz Ahmed (Bait), Jason Bateman (Black Rabbit), Charlie Hunnam (Monster: The Ed Gein Story), and Oscar Isaac (Beef)
Widow’s Bay was the evening’s biggest comedy winner. The series entered the ceremony with 19 total nominations and dominated the awards, ultimately collecting 14 Emmys and breaking the record for the most awards won by a comedy series in a single year.
Outstanding Comedy Series
