Kate O’Flynn and her Widow’s Bay co-star Matthew Rhya led the British winners at the 2026 Emmys in LA on Monday.

Bury-born star Kate picked up the Best Supporting Actress gong early on in the star-studded ceremony at the Peacock Theatre, with her show going on to win a record breaking 14 trophies.

The star, 40, won the award for her performance as Patricia in the Apple TV comedy series during the 78th ceremony.

The show’s leading man Matthew Rhys then made history as the first actor to win two leading acting gongs in different categories in one night.

Kate was presented the award by comedy legend Amy Poehler, and used her speech to pay trubute to her team on Widow’s Peak as she told them: ‘Thank you for trusting this Lancashire lass to play a sassy broad like Patricia.’ 

‘This is the role of a lifetime,’ she continued before thanking ‘my friends and family back home, mum and dad, and the loves of my life, my darling husband and our darling daughter, another sassy broad in the making.’

Kate O’Flynn kicked off the British winners at the 2026 Emmys as she picked up the Best Supporting Actress gong during the star-studded ceremony on Monday

‘This is for all the Patricia’s out there. See you at Sunset Cocktails to celebrate’.

The actress was up against co-star Dale Dickey, as well as Hannah Einbinder (Hacks), Janelle James (Abbott Elementary), Michelle Pfeiffer (Margo’s Got Money Troubles), Megan Stalter (Hacks) and Jessica Williams (Shrinking). 

Welsh actor Matthew was perhaps the biggest winner of the night as he made history by becoming the first actor to earn two leading acting honors in the same night.

He not only earned earned Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy series for the Apple TV series, but also took home Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for The Beast in Me earlier in the evening. 

For the comedy series gong, the 51-year-old actor beat out an impressive field which consisted of: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for Wonder Man, Steve Carell for Rooster, Jason Segel for Shrinking, Martin Short for Only Murders in the Building, and co-star Widow’s Bay co-star Dale Dickey. 

Matthew made a joke about his second win by poking fun at the program’s creator Katie Dippold as he said: ‘My apologies to the women who had to stand again. 

‘Stephen Root is 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. It is also because of my hero, Hiro Murai, so beautifully, as did all of them.’

The star, 40, won the award for her performance as Patricia in Apple TV’s comedy series Widow’s Bay

The show’s leading man Matthew Rhys then made history as the first actor to win two leading acting gongs in different categories in one night 

Kate stars as Patricia, the socially awkward chief assistant to Matthew Rhys’s Mayor Tom Loftis in Katie Dippold’s genre-bending series. 

Set on a remote New England island, Widow’s Bay follows Tom’s attempt to revive the town by transforming it into a tourist destination, despite generations of local lore warning that the island is cursed. 

As increasingly bizarre and supernatural events begin piling up, Patricia emerges as one of Tom’s closest allies in figuring out what is actually happening.

The series proved one of the year’s biggest Emmy breakouts, earning 19 nominations in its first season, including outstanding comedy series and acting nods for Rhys, O’Flynn, Dickey and Stephen Root.

Meanwhile Matthew also took home the gong for Best Lead Actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for his role in Netflix’s The Beast in Me.

‘This is a real shock because, not least because the caliber and company of the actors in this category,’ Rhys said, accepting his award. 

He thanked his collaborators, including ‘the incredible’ Claire Danes.

‘Thank you for letting me join the mystery machine and bringing out the beast,’ he said.  

Matthew was presented the award by Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame. 

The actor had previously won an Emmy for The Americans in 2018, meaning he has now scooped lead acting trophies across the drama, comedy and limited series categories – another first. 

Kate couldn’t contain her smile as she was presented the award by comedy legend Amy Poehler

Kate portrayed Patricia in Apple TV’s comedy series Widow’s Bay

She said in her acceptance speech: ‘Thank you so much. Oh wow, gosh! This is the role of a lifetime. Thank you, Katie [Dippold] for trusting me to play a saucy broad like Patricia’

Welsh actor Matthew not only earned earned Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy series for the Apple TV series, but also took home Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for The Beast in Me 

Matthew pictured as Nile Jarvis in The Beast in Me 

In another British triumph, Scottish director Saul Metzstein collected the Outstanding Directing for a Drama series prize for the smash hit Apple TV show Slow Horses.

The thriller has now claimed a prestigious writing or directing Emmy for three consecutive years.

Its lead star Gary Oldman did miss out once again in the Lead Actor in a Drama Series when he was beaten by Noah Wyle of The Pitt.

In another Scottish win, actor Alan Cumming took to the stage to accept the Emmy for Best Reality Series, for his part as host of The Traitors USA.

Elsewhere on the night The Pitt earned the top award Outstanding Drama series on a night where it earned 25 nominations which was the most from any single series.

It faced stiff competition including: The Diplomat, The Gilded Age, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Paradise, Pluribus, Slow Horses, and Your Friends and Neighbors.

Series creator R. Scott Gemmill accepted the honor as he took a shot at AI (Artificial Intelligence) during his speech as he said: ‘It is so hard to tell what is real and what we can believe anymore, which makes telling honest stories about real human struggles so much more important than ever. 

‘What you do is — it changes people’s lives. And I’m just so happy that we get to do that because it’s so difficult to know what to believe anymore. And so when the last bastion of reality is in our shared collective fiction, that makes what you do so much more important.’ 

Kate proudly kissed her Emmy award as she posed for photos in the press room 

‘People need to know the truth, and we need to continue to tell them that in whatever way we can, in whatever form we can. Because at the end of the day I think sometimes it’s only the story telling that allows us to understand and appreciate each other. And that’s more important than ever. So, keep doing what you’re doing.’

Meanwhile, Rhea Seehorn earned one of the biggest wins of television’s biggest night and beat one of the biggest stars in Zendaya to earn the honor. 

The 54-year-old actress triumphed in the Lead Actress in a Drama category at the Emmy Awards 2026 as she was recognized for her work in Pluribus.

She beat out an impressive field including 30-year-old Zendaya for the third and final season of Euphoria along with Carrie Coon for The Gilded Age, Chase Infiniti for The Testaments, and Keri Russell for The Diplomat.

Jean Smart earned her fifth Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy win in a row at the Emmy Awards 2026 on a night that featured a star-studded red carpet. 

Apple TV was the biggest winner in the streaming stakes, with 28 wins, beating HBO Max on 19 and Netflix, which slipped to third despite entering the ceremony with the second-highest nomination tally of 111. 

Emmy Awards 2026 winners

Outstanding Drama Series

The Diplomat

The Gilded Age

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Paradise

The Pitt – WINNER

Pluribus

Slow Horses

Your Friends and Neighbors

Noah Wyle led The Pitt to an Outstanding Drama Series honor

 

Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary

The Bear

Hacks

Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Nobody Wants This

Only Murders in the Building

Shrinking

Widow’s Bay – WINNER

 

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

All Her Fault

The Beast in Me

Beef

DTF St. Louis – WINNER

Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette

 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Carrie Coon, The Gilded Age

Chase Infiniti, The Testaments

Keri Russell, The Diplomat

Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus – WINNER

Zendaya, Euphoria

Rhea Seehorrn was recognized for her work in Pluribus

 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Sterling K. Brown, Paradise

Gary Oldman, Slow Horses

Mark Ruffalo, Task

Rufus Sewell, The Diplomat

Noah Wyle, The Pitt – WINNER

 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Taylor Dearden, The Pitt

Fiona Dourif, The Pitt

Allison Janney, The Diplomat – WINNER

Katherine LaNasa, The Pitt

Sepideh Moafi, The Pitt

Julianne Nicholson, Paradise

Karolina Wydra, Pluribus

 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Patrick Ball, The Pitt

Billy Crudup, The Morning Show

Shawn Hatosy, The Pitt

Gerran Howell, The Pitt

Jack Lowden, Slow Horses

Tom Pelphrey, Task – WINNER

Carlos-Manuel Vesga, Pluribus

 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary

Ayo Edebiri, The Bear

Elle Fanning, Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Lisa Kudrow, The Comeback

Jean Smart, Hacks – WINNER

 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Wonder Man

Steve Carell, Rooster

Matthew Rhys, Widow’s Bay – WINNER

Jason Segel, Shrinking

Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building

Dale Dickey, Widow’s Bay 

Matthew Rhys became the first actor to win two leading actor awards in one night 

 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Hannah Einbinder, Hacks

Janelle James, Abbott Elementary

Kate O’Flynn, Widow’s Bay – WINNER

Michelle Pfeiffer, Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Megan Stalter, Hacks

Jessica Williams, Shrinking

 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Colman Domingo, The Four Seasons

Paul W. Downs, Hacks

Harrison Ford, Shrinking

Nick Offerman, Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Stephen Root, Widow’s Bay – WINNER

Michael Urie, Shrinking

Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Claire Danes, The Beast in Me

Sally Field, Remarkably Bright Creatures – WINNER

Carey Mulligan, Beef

Sarah Pidgeon, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette

Sarah Snook, All Her Fault

Sally Field was a surprise winner for Remarkably Bright Creatures

 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Riz Ahmed, Bait

Jason Bateman, Black Rabbit

Charlie Hunnam, Monster: The Ed Gein Story

Oscar Isaac, Beef

Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me – WINNER

 

Outstanding Reality Competition Program

Dancing With the Stars

RuPaul’s Drag Race

Survivor

Top Chef

The Traitors – WINNER

 

Outstanding Variety Series

The Daily Show

Jimmy Kimmel Live

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert – WINNER

Saturday Night Live

Stephen Colbert earned an Emmy for his now cancelled talk show

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series

The Diplomat (Peter Akerman and Debora Cahn for “Amagansett”)

The Pitt (Kirsten Pierre-Geyfman & R. Scott Gemmill for “1:00 PM”)

The Pitt (Valerie Chu for “12:00 PM”)

Mickey Down and Konrad Kay for “Dear Henry,” Industry

Pluribus (Vince Gilligan for “We Is Us”) – WINNER

Slow Horses (Will Smith for “Scars”)

Task (Brad Ingelsby for “A Still Small Voice”)

 

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary (Quinta Brunson for “Team Building”)

The Chair Company (Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin for “Life goes by too f**king fast, it really does”)

The Comeback (Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow for “Valerie Does It All”)

Hacks (Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky for “Hacks”)

Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat (Anthony King for “Mergers and Acquisitions”)

Widow’s Bay (Katie Dippold for “Welcome to Widow’s Bay”) – WINNER

Katie Dippold had a massive night as she also earned an outstanding writing win

 

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series

The Gilded Age (Salli Richardson-Whitfield for “My Mind Is Made Up”)

Paradise (Hanelle M. Culpepper for “Exodus”)

The Pitt (Noah Wyle for “12:00 PM”)

Pluribus (Vince Gilligan for “We Is Us”)

Slow Horses (Saul Metzstein for “Scars”) – WINNER

Task (Salli Richardson-Whitfield for “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a river”)

 

Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary (Randall Einhorn for “Ballgame”)

The Bear (Christopher Storer for “Bears”)

The Chair Company (Andrew DeYoung for “Life goes by too f**king fast, it really does”)

Hacks (Lucia Aniello for “Hacks”)

The Ms. Pat Show (Mary Lou Belli for “Give It Arrest”)

Widow’s Bay (Hiro Murai for “Welcome to Widow’s Bay”) – WINNER

Widow’s Bay’s Hiro Murai earned Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series