Cardiff-born actor Matthew Rhys made Emmy history at the ceremony held Monday in Los Angeles by becoming the first person to win two awards for Best Lead Actor in a single night. The 51-year-old won Outstanding Lead Actor in both a limited series and a comedy series for his roles in "The Beast In Me" and Apple TV’s "Widow’s Bay," respectively. This achievement also made Rhys the first male actor to secure Emmy wins across all three major lead acting categories: drama, comedy, and limited series, having previously won for "The Americans" in 2018.

Rhys also received a third Emmy as an executive producer for "Widow’s Bay," which emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners. The show garnered six Primetime awards, contributing to a record total of 14 Emmys, including eight secured earlier at the Creative Arts Awards. This tally set a new high for a comedy series, surpassing popular contenders such as "The Bear" and "Nobody Wants This." Rhys paid tribute to his Welsh heritage during his acceptance speech, expressing gratitude to the people of Wales and closing with "Diolch yn fawr iawn," Welsh for "thank you very much."

Alongside Rhys, British actress Kate O’Flynn earned the award for Best Supporting Actress, edging out nominees including Michelle Pfeiffer. O’Flynn, 40, portrayed Patricia Moyer, the socially awkward assistant to Rhys’s character, Tom Loftis, in "Widow’s Bay." Describing the recognition as a “mad experience and dream come true,” she shared plans to celebrate alongside Rhys at an Apple TV party.

Other notable winners included Saul Metzstein, who earned Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for the Apple TV thriller "Slow Horses." However, key cast members Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden did not secure acting awards in their respective categories. Tom Pelphrey received Best Supporting Actor for his role in the crime drama "Task," while Allison Janney was named Best Supporting Actress for "The Diplomat."

"The Pitt," a medical drama series, was awarded Best Drama Series, with its star Noah Wyle winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for the second consecutive year. The show collected seven Emmys overall. In addition, Rhea Seehorn won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in Apple TV’s post-apocalyptic series "Pluribus."

Jean Smart of "Hacks" made history by achieving her fifth Emmy win, the first performer to claim Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in every season of a show. Sally Field earned Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her role in "Remarkably Bright Creatures."

In the reality category, "The Traitors US" took home Outstanding Reality Competition Program, with Scottish presenter Alan Cumming receiving Outstanding Host. "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" was recognized as Outstanding Variety Series.

The event drew a host of celebrities, including Emilia Clarke, Florence Pugh, Selena Gomez, and Harrison Ford. Rhys, who first rose to prominence in the TV drama "Brothers & Sisters," has been in a long-term relationship with actress Keri Russell since 2014. The couple has one son and resides in New York.

O’Flynn, raised in Bury, Greater Manchester, by Irish parents, has spoken candidly about her experiences of feeling like an outsider, a perspective she found helpful when developing her character in "Widow’s Bay." She currently lives in London with her husband and daughter, whom she mentioned in her acceptance speech.

The ceremony also featured a poignant tribute commemorating Catherine O’Hara, who passed away earlier this year. Macaulay Culkin, Annie Murphy, and Dan Levy honored the late actress during the In Memoriam segment, reflecting on her warmth and lasting impact on their lives and careers.