Welsh actor Matthew Rhys makes Emmy Awards history with double win

Los Angeles - Emmy Awards night brought a pair of standout victories in the television industry. Drama series "The Pitt" secured its second consecutive best drama award, while the horror comedy "Widow's Bay" claimed the top comedy prize. "Widow's Bay," set in a cursed New England town, outperformed the finale of previous comedy winner "Hacks" to win the coveted title.

"Hacks" star Jean Smart claimed her fifth Emmy for her role as tenacious stand-up comic Deborah Vance, marking her as the first performer to secure this award for every season of a show's run. Smart expressed her amazement at the experience, thanking the show's creators. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who won best comedy actress for six of the seven seasons of "Veep," is the only female Emmy winner with a similar achievement.

Matthew Rhys became the first individual to win two lead acting accolades at the same ceremony, including one for "Widow's Bay" and another for best actor in a limited series for the Netflix psychological thriller "The Beast in Me." For supporting actor in a comedy, Stephen Root of "Widow's Bay" bested the favored Harrison Ford of "Shrinking."

Best drama actress went to Rhea Seehorn for her role in Apple TV's "Pluribus," marking her first Emmy win. Seehorn paid tribute to her fellow nominees, including "The Diplomat" star Keri Russell and Zendaya of "Euphoria," quoting feminist activist Gloria Steinem. Emmy winners are chosen by the over 27,000 members of the Television Academy.