Not only did he win big, but Widow’s Bay also saw critical acclaim as they grabbed the award for Outstanding Comedy Series.
Matthew Rhys made history at the 78th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards(Image: NBC via Getty Images)
Welsh actor Matthew Rhys has etched his name into the history books at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, September 14, as he became the first person ever to claim two lead acting prizes in a single evening. Despite the momentous occasion, something else or somebody else took the limelight.
The star from Cardiff scooped both top honours for his performances in supernatural TV comedy Widow’s Bay and psychological thriller The Beast In Me, cementing his place in Emmy history at the glittering Los Angeles ceremony.
Not only did he win big, but Widow’s Bay also saw critical acclaim as they grabbed the award for Outstanding Comedy Series.
The award was announced by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, with the latter deciding to stay on stage when the cast and crew came up to collect their award. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
As Widow’s Bay showrunner and creator Katie Dippold delivered her speech, audiences watching at home were distracted by the Texan actor’s decision to stay on stage.
One fan said: “Woody Harrelson is standing in the middle of the cast and crew of widows bay and standing there smiling nodding like he’s in the show I’m crying I love him.”
Another added: “Woody Harrelson standing there during the entirety of widow’s bay’s acceptance speech… bro thinks he’s on the team.”
A third said: “Woody Harrelson lurking with the Widow’s Bay crew has me laughing so hard I can barely breathe.”
Another X user said: “Woody Harrelson slowly realizing he wasn’t supposed to stand the rest of the cast of Widow’s Bay had me hollering”
When interviewed by Extra TV following their win, the Widow’s Bay winners were quizzed about whether or not they had a new addition to the cast.
The interviewer showed them the footage of Woody on stage and said: “I feel like somebody is trying to get on your cast for season two.”
Matthew replied: “Oh, yes! Woody Harrelson said that he’s happy to join the cast. He did premise he didn’t want any prosthetics or night shoots. ‘Well, that rules you out!’
“I was like, ‘Get off the stage!’ I was like, ‘You’re not in our show! Get off! You could be in our show, but you’re not in our show!’
“I was like, ‘Matthew McConaughey left. Have the grace of the Texan—leave!’
Meanwhile, showrunner Katie confirmed: “But he’ll still be on season two.”
Matthew agreed: “We’re happy to announce he will be on season two.”
