Keri Russell explains why she asked Matthew Rhys to leave her out of his Emmy speeches

Keri Russell said the couple's nerves over award speeches led her to ease Matthew Rhys' pressure and let him decide whom to thank
Keri Russell explained why she asked Matthew Rhys to take her name off his Emmy speech checklist (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Keri Russell explained why she asked Matthew Rhys to take her name off his Emmy speech checklist (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Keri Russel has disclosed why she asked her partner Matthew Rhys not to mention her name during his Emmy acceptance speeches.

Rhys won two awards at the September 14 ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. He received Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for 'The Beast in Me' and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for 'Widow's Bay’.

Keri Russell says she and Matthew Rhys are 'nervous people'

During an appearance on Chelsea Handler's ‘Dear Chelsea’ podcast on Thursday, October 8, Russell explained, “He was just so nervous. I mean, we were all nervous. But it’s a lot of pressure. And we said to each other the week of, we’re both nervous people. We’re not in that world that much. We visit that world.”

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 01: (L-R) Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell attend the 32nd Annual Actor Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on March 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell attended the 32nd Annual Actor Awards in Los Angeles on March 1, 2026 (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

“So we were both so nervous. And I looked at him a few days before and I said, ‘Okay, well, can you articulate what you’re most nervous about?’ And he’s like, ‘Yeah, having to speak.’ And I said, ‘Totally.’ And I said, ‘Take me off your plate,’ Like, you don’t have to thank me, I know you love me, take me off your plate, ” the actress added.

Keri Russell told Matthew Rhys to thank whoever he wanted

Further into the podcast, Russell, who was also nominated for her role in 'The Diplomat', recalled Rhys' 2018 Emmy win. She shared how people were still angry with him for not thanking them in his speech.

“It’s so crazy. People get nuts. It’s stupid, and it’s also lame,” the 'The Diplomat' star noted.

Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys attend the Ralph Lauren fashion show during New York Fashion Week on September 08, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys attended the Ralph Lauren fashion show during New York Fashion Week on September 8, 2023 (Paul Morigi/Getty Images)

When Handler said that people who work on a production deserved more thanks, Russell agreed before adding, “I don’t care if you want to thank the dog walker. You do whatever you want to do. That’s your minute. That’s your 45 seconds.”

Matthew Rhys praises Claire Danes during his Emmy speech

During his acceptance speech for 'The Beast in Me', Rhys quipped, “Oh, good grief. If you try and taunt me, I’ll stab you in the eyes with this.”

He then mentioned his co-star Claire Danes, saying, “Thank you for letting me join the mystery machine and bringing out the beast. You are an intimidating scene partner, but I’m very grateful for all of this.”

Matthew Rhys poses in the press room with the awards for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for
Matthew Rhys posed with his two Emmy Awards for 'The Beast in Me' and 'Widow's Bay' at the 78th Emmy Awards on September 14, 2026 (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

During his second acceptance speech, the 51-year-old actor addressed his parents and sister.

Rhys stated, “They just kicked me onto a stage from a very early age. My sister, who’s here tonight … turns out she was the brains of the outfit all along. Thank you for all of the sage words and patient listening.”

Russell and Rhys have been together for over a decade after meeting on the set of 'The Americans' in 2012. They are also parents to a 10-year-old boy named Sam, whom they had in 2016.

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