Matthew Rhys makes Emmy history with two
Actor Matthew Rhys won two lead acting Emmy awards in one night, a first in the ceremony's history. He dedicated one award to the people of Wales and discussed his new role voicing Han Solo in Welsh.
Matthew Rhys has made Emmy history. The 51-year-old actor became the first person to win two lead acting prizes in a single night at the awards ceremony.
He was named best lead actor in a limited series for the psychological thriller The Beast In Me and best lead actor in a comedy for his role in Widow's Bay. Rhys told reporters that receiving the double honour was a "complete out of the body experience" which "still feels as surreal as it was last night".
He described being in "abject terror" when called to collect his awards in the presence of "heroes", such as Gary Oldman.
Award night details
Rhys dedicated his second award to Wales. "We are a small but mighty nation. This is incredible," he said, adding, "diolch yn fawr iawn," which means "thank you very much" in Welsh.
The actor also revealed a new project connected to the upcoming 50th anniversary of Star Wars in 2027. He is the voice of Han Solo in a new Welsh-language adaptation of the sci-fi classic. Rhys said he saw Harrison Ford, the original Han Solo, at the awards ceremony but did not dare "go over and say, 'guess what I just did? Revoiced you in Welsh'."
He described voicing the character as an "arresting moment" given that Star Wars had been a "big part in our upbringing" and said that Ford's role had been "legendary". "I just hope he doesn't come after me," he joked.
Early career struggles
According to the BBC profile, Rhys nearly quit acting at the start of his career. After starring alongside Kathleen Turner in a West End production of The Graduate in 2000, he could not find work for nearly two years.
He was so desperate he considered joining the Army. Rhys met an Army officer who was "incredibly suspicious" of him because he was an actor. About a week later, he received a rejection letter from the British army. "And I went, 'oh my God, I can't even join the Army'," Rhys said.
Life in Hollywood and family
Rhys moved to Hollywood in 2006 and formed a group with fellow Welsh actors Michael Sheen and Ioan Gruffudd, which he affectionately called the "LA Tafia". In 2012, he told reporters newspaper how the trio would speak Welsh, dream of good fish and chips, and watch rugby together.
He met his partner, actor Keri Russell, at a Los Angeles kickball game in 2002. A decade later, they became a couple after starring together in the TV series The Americans from 2013. They have a son, Sam, born in 2016. Rhys has previously told reporters he speaks Welsh to Sam in the hope he will understand the language for life. He is also stepdad to Russell's two children.
Rhys is due back in Wales in October to film a new BBC drama called Dragon Slayers about the work of former Sunday Times editor Sir Harry Evans. He revealed he is currently growing a bushy beard to produce sideburns befitting the 1970s period in which the drama is set.
