Keri Russell on Matthew Rhys' Emmy Speeches: 'Take Me Off Your Plate'

Keri Russell shared that she gave her longtime partner, Matthew Rhys, her blessing to forgo thanking her in his Emmy acceptance speeches, a decision she said was aimed at easing his considerable award show nerves.

Rhys made history at the 2026 Emmy Awards, securing two wins for lead actor: one in a limited or anthology series or movie for "The Beast in Me" and another for lead actor in a comedy series for "Widow's Bay." The latter series was a dominant force at the ceremony, garnering 14 awards overall.

Russell recounted on the "Dear Chelsea" podcast that she noticed Rhys’ anxiety leading up to the event. "He was just so nervous. I mean, we were all nervous," she said. "We're both nervous people. We're not in that world that much."

To help him manage the pressure, Russell recalled telling him, "Take me off your plate. Like, you don't have to thank me. I know you love me."

She added that the couple agreed their relationship was private and distinct from the professional sphere of award shows, suggesting they could thank whomever they wished without acknowledging each other. "We don't have to thank each other. This is private... This is for the business people. Thank whoever you want to thank."

Russell noted that Rhys still faces gentle teasing from some people regarding his 2018 Emmy win for "The Americans," where he also did not thank her in his acceptance speech. "It's so crazy. People get nuts," she commented. "It's stupid, and it's also lame."

During his acceptance speech for "The Beast in Me," Rhys humorously addressed the statuette, saying, "If you try and taunt me, I'll stab you in the eyes with this." He then thanked the show's writers and director, acknowledging his co-star Claire Danes as a strong leader on set. "You are an intimidating scene partner, but I'm very grateful for all of this."

Following his win for "Widow's Bay," Rhys thanked the numerous individuals involved with the series, before focusing on his family. He extended special thanks to his parents for their early encouragement and to his sister, who was present, acknowledging her as "the brains of the outfit all along."

Russell, who met Rhys in 2012 on the set of "The Americans," was also nominated at the 2026 Emmys for lead actress in a drama series for "The Diplomat" and received a nod as an executive producer on the show. The couple has been together for over a decade and shares a son, Sam, born in May 2016. Russell is also mother to two children from her previous marriage.