Key facts
- Matthew Rhys became the first person to win two Emmy awards for best lead actor in the same year.
- Apple TV+'s "Widow's Bay" won six awards at the ceremony and eight at the Creative Arts Emmys.
- Allison Janney won best supporting actress in drama for her role in "The Diplomat."
- Mariska Hargitay hosted the Emmy Awards ceremony.
- Megan Stalter arrived on the blue carpet dressed as an Emmy statuette.
Welsh actor Matthew Rhys made Emmy Awards history by becoming the first person to win two awards for best lead actor in the same year, for his roles in "Widow's Bay" and "The Beast In Me." The ceremony, held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, celebrated stars from television, film, sport, and music.
The Apple TV+ comedy "Widow's Bay" was a significant winner, securing six awards on the night and an additional eight at the Creative Arts Emmys earlier in the month. Cast and crew members expressed gratitude for the show's grassroots success, attributing its spread to word-of-mouth and online discussions. Writer and creator Katie Dippold noted the team's happiness with the audience's reaction to the scripts.
Actress Allison Janney, who plays the US President in "The Diplomat," expressed genuine surprise at her win for best supporting actress in drama, stating she was "100% sure I wasn't gonna win" due to the popularity of "The Pitt" in the same category. Meanwhile, "Hacks" star Megan Stalter turned heads on the blue carpet with a costume resembling an Emmy statuette, complete with gold body paint and angel wings.
Host Mariska Hargitay, the first woman to host in 15 years, opened the show with a musical number and incorporated cameos from celebrities including Taylor Swift, NBA star Jalen Brunson, and Broadway performer Andrew Rannells. Backstage, winners and their teams celebrated, with Rhys joking about the friendly competition with his partner, actress Keri Russell, who was also nominated.