Matthew Rhys has addressed backlash head-on. Fans noticed he didn’t mention Keri Russell in his Emmy speeches, and he has now responded. Rhys won two Emmys for his performances in Widow’s Bay and The Beast in Me. After counting his previous win for The Americans, he became the first actor to win three Primetime Emmys across all three categories. Russell was also nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work on The Diplomat.
During his Emmy speech, fans noticed that he didn’t mention his longtime partner Russell. In a new interview with E! News, the actor jokingly revealed that he “didn’t really prepare anything, which is why I vomited that speech.”
Rhys revealed that both he and Russell treated the night as friendly competition, with the latter telling him, “If you win both, I’m not coming home with you.” Rhys has since given multiple interviews, joking that he is keeping his awards in the basement, which he’ll take out “when Keri wins one.”
The Emmy-winning actor didn’t hold back about their family competition
Rhys remained committed to the bit of competing with his partner after his Emmy win. Captured by Entertainment Weekly, the actor thanked Russell, calling her “always a class act” when interacting with her peers. However, he also kept his post-win speech fun, taking friendly shots at Russel. “I’ve bet a lot of money on myself,” he said in jest. “The kids run a book. It’s going to be a rough week for her, and I’m sorry. I don’t know if I am, to be perfectly honest.”
“She’s always really the winner, if I’m perfectly honest,” he said in his concluding statement. “I think next year she might get one.”
Rhys will next be seen in shows such as Wyrd, Silent River, and Widow’s Bay season 2. Russell will reprise the role of Kate Wyler in The Diplomat season 4.
Widow’s Bay is streaming on Apple TV, while The Beast in Me is streaming on Netflix.
Originally reported on ComingSoon.
