Keri Russell Hilariously Humbled Matthew Rhys After His 2 Emmy Wins

How Matthew Rhys Really Feels About Keri Russell’s Infamous Felicity HaircutThe Emmys have become a running joke in Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell's household. Thank goodness. "These events are kind of incredible and incredulous, and kind of bizarre, and everything in between," Rhys exclusively told E! News backstage after making history with his second win of the night at the 2026 Emmys on Sept. 14. "I think a healthy sense of humor always helps." With his dual lead actor wins for the Netflix limited series The Beast in Me—"I didn't really prepare anything, which is why I vomited that speech"—and Apple TV+ comedy Widow's Bay, Rhys became the first person to ever win two lead acting Emmys in one night. And with a 2018 lead acting in a drama win for The Americans already under his belt, Rhys is also the first male actor to have won in all three categories. (See all the winners from the Emmys 2026.) But he and Russell, a nominee for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for the third straight year, prefer not to get too swept up in the pomp and circumstance.So, earlier in the evening, Rhys shared, "She goes, 'If you win both, I'm not coming home with you.' OK, fair enough." Asked if that meant he was free for the evening, he added, "I don't know if I'm free. Lonely, maybe."Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesPresuming he's still going home with his longtime partner, the couple having fallen in love on the set of The Americans 13 years ago, Rhys can now turn his attention to showing off his statues at home. The dad to 10-year-old son Sam with Russell and stepfather to her son River, 19, and daughter Willa, 13, explained, "Every time we play games and I do silly imaginary voices and they tell me to shut up, cause I'm so bad doing them, I say, 'How bad am I doing now, kids?!'" But when he took the stage for what he characterized as his more expected win of the night, for critical darling Widow's Bay, a 19-time nominee heading into the evening, Rhys couldn't help getting a little choked up. But first, some quips. "My apologies to the women who had to stand again," Rhys said upon reaching the stage. "Stephen Root was right, this is purely because of the depraved and twisted mind of Katie Dippold, and her genius really does live in the recesses of her disturbed brain."Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesRoot had just won his first-ever Emmy, for his supporting role in Widow's Bay, moments beforehand. Rhys continued, "It is also because of my hero, [series director] Hiro Murai, who helmed this so beautifully, as did all of them." The 51-year-old also shouted out the "wondrous cast" of Widow's Bay and "crew of all crews."Rhys then thanked his agent of 33 years Dallas Smith for taking "a big swing on me." "And for that reason, Dal, you have my life long indebted gratitude and thanks," Rhys noted. "Not least, my dear old friend—he's not that old, he's very dear—[talent manager] Duncan Millership—whose hard work and tenacity I see and appreciate every day. I far more I appreciate our lifelong friendship." Rhys continued to thank his team—"Barry Buren, you know what you did, all of you at CAA"—and then he got a little choked up as talk turned to his family. "Obviously my parents, they just kicked me onto a stage from a very early age," Rhys shared. "My sister, who is here tonight, turns out she was the brains of the outfit all along. Thank you for all the sage words and patience."And then he got to his beloved home country. "Finally, to the great and good people of Wales, who were as much a nurture as anyone else," Rhys concluded, "we are a small but mighty nation. This is incredible." Russell wasn't thanked out loud, but she knows by now just how darn much Rhys appreciates her. And how darn annoyed he gets on her behalf when she doesn't win. See all the couples who made a date night out of the 2026 Emmys: —Reporting by Nikki NovakKevin Mazur/Getty ImagesJimmy Kimmel & Molly McNearneyThe late night host and his wife put their chemistry on display on the red carpet. Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesKaley Cuoco & Tom PelphreyBaby on board. The Flight Attendant alum and the Task actor attend the Emmys 2026 just four months after confirming Cuoco's pregnancy. Randy Shropshire/NBC via Getty ImagesJon Hamm & Anna Osceola Another baby on board. The Mad Men actor's wife debuts her baby bump with a sweet date night moment. Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesGrant Snow & Katherine LaNasaNo need to check the pulse on this sweet pair. The Pitt actress is supported by her husband of 12 years on the Emmys 2026 red carpet. Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesHarrison Ford & Calista FlockhartThe Indiana Jones alum goes classic to let his wife's magenta gown take center stage. John Shearer/WireImageKayla Radomski & Jason SegelThere's no shrinking the love for this pair. The Shrinking alum is supported by his longtime partner at the Emmys 2026. LISA O'CONNOR / AFP via Getty ImagesStephen Colbert & Evelyn McGee A perfect pair, and some plaid. The Late Show host goes classic, while his wife took center stage in a grand plaid gown. Jesse Grant/NBC via Getty ImagesJason Bateman & Amanda Anka The Emmy winner and his wife of 25 years go classic on the red carpet. Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesJohn Mulaney & Olivia MunnThe comedian and the X-Men alum walk the red carpet hand-in-hand. Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesBrenda Song & Macaulay CulkinThis duo is running point on the Emmys 2026 red carpet. The Suite Life alum and Home Alone star step out together. Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesMariska Hargitay & Peter Hermann What's better than a date? Bringing the whole family. The Emmys 2026 host is joined by husband and their kids Andrew Hermann, Amaya Hermann and August Hermann. Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesMatthew Rhys & Keri Russell A couple that Emmys together, stays together. The 2026 nominees turn their big night into a sweet date. Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesLisa Rinna & Harry HamlinThe Real Housewives alum and her husband put their nearly 30 years of marriage on display.