Welsh star Rhys grabs Emmy – and shocks US with accent
WELSH actor Matthew Rhys walked away with one of the top awards at the Emmys – and left some of his US fans in awe at his Welsh accent.
At the most prestigious awards show in US television, Cardiff-born Rhys won the lead actor in a drama series prize for his role in FX’s The Americans.
In the long-running show, he plays one of two Russian spies who have integrated themselves into US life as a suburban American couple.
But so convincing is his portrayal that some social media users couldn’t contain their surprise at finding out he was Welsh when he gave his acceptance speech.
American journalist Dave Itzkoff, tweeted: “I should not have had to wait this long in life to hear Matthew Rhys’s natural accent.”
Another user commented: “I honestly don’t think I have ever heard Matthew Rhys with his Welsh accent, it’s gorgeous.”
Meanwhile, the Welsh-speaking 43-year-old quipped that he had been warned not to propose to his Americans co-star and real-life love interest Keri Lynn Russell, after another winner at the glitzy ceremony had earlier popped the question to their partner.
In one of the most memorable moments in recent awards show history, director Glenn Weiss won the outstanding directing for a variety special and told the audience the prize was “bittersweet” because his mother had died two weeks previously.
He said his mother had “loved” his partner, Jan Svendsen, adding: “You wonder why I don’t like to call you my girlfriend? Because I want to call you my wife.”
The room erupted into cheers before Weiss invited his partner to the stage. He explained the ring was the same one his father had given to his mother 67 years ago before popping the question.
The crowd again erupted into loud cheers and the camera panned on to members of the audience wiping tears from their eyes.
Referencing the earlier on-stage proposal during his own acceptance speech, Rhys said his own girlfriend told him: “I will punch you clean in the mouth!” if he followed suit.
Rhys – a former pupil of Welshmedium schools Melin Gruffydd in Whitchurch, and Glantaf – paid glowing tribute to Russell at the awards in Los Angeles during the early hours of yesterday, saying thank you “to the woman who truly got me this award, who just stands in front of me every day and puts up with me”.
He also gave thanks “to all those who gave so much to this incredible journey,” adding: “We had a cast and crew that you could only wish for in a fairy tale. I don’t have the words. I don’t have the time. Neither of which would do you justice, except thank you, more to come.”
The Americans finished its six-season earlier this year.
Rhys’ cousin Elaine Edwards works as his make-up artist and hair stylist and was present at the awards.
She told BBC Wales: “He flew in by private jet, and I was waiting for him. I prepared him before the ceremony.
“We are thrilled that he won, because he’s been nominated before... it’s nice that he’s been recognised. He was telling me beforehand how nervous he was and that he wanted to win, but was a bit scared regarding his speech if his name was announced.”
Elsewhere, British talent won big at the show and Game Of Thrones won the battle of the heavyweights to regain its crown.
English actress Claire Foy scooped Rhys’s equivalent award in the female category for her portrayal of the Queen in Netflix’s The Crown.
It was Foy’s final chance to win an Emmy for her role as the Queen before she hands over to Olivia Colman for season three and she appeared visibly emotional on stage.
Foy’s co-star, Matt Smith, missed out on a supporting actor prize while Benedict Cumberbatch lost out to Rhys for lead actor.
London-born Thandie Newton won the supporting actress in a drama series for her part in HBO’s sci-fi western Westworld, fending off competition in a category packed with British stars, including Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown, Game Of Thrones’ Lena Headey and The Crown’s Vanessa Kirby.
Game Of Thrones – back at the Emmys after a one-year absence due to the timing of its previous season – won the prize for outstanding drama series. HBO’s fantasy epic came out on top from a category including The Crown, Stranger Things, The Americans, This Is Us, Westworld and last year’s winner, The Handmaid’s Tale.
Elsewhere, Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs Maisel won big, scooping five gongs in the comedy categories, for supporting actress, outstanding writing, directing, lead actress and outstanding series.
And Happy Days star Henry Winkler won an award – 42 years after he was first nominated for an Emmy.
The veteran actor, 72, scooped the outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series gong for his role as acting coach Gene Cousineau in HBO’s Barry.
He was first nominated in 1976 for playing Arthur “the Fonz” Fonzarelli in Happy Days.
Charlie Brooker won an Emmy for the USS Callister episode of Black Mirror.