Keri Russell says she gave partner Matthew Rhys permission to leave her out of his Emmy acceptance speeches last month.
Rhys, 51, enjoyed a major night at the September 14 ceremony, taking home Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Widow’s Bay and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for The Beast in Me.
Speaking with Chelsea Handler, 51, on Thursday’s episode of the podcast Dear Chelsea, Russell, 50, revealed that she had spoken to Rhys before the ceremony and told him he did not need to mention her.
According to Russell, Rhys was “just so nervous” as the pressure of the awards night built.
“We’re both nervous people—we’re not in that world that much—we visit that world, and so we were both so nervous,” Russell said. “I looked at him a few days before and I said, ‘OK, well, can you articulate what you’re most nervous about?’”
Rhys told her that speaking was what concerned him most. Russell recalled replying: “Totally. And I said, ‘Take me off your plate. Like, you don’t have to thank me. I know you love me.’”
Keri Russell, 50, said she told partner Matthew Rhys, 51, that he could leave her out of his Emmy acceptance speeches last month. They are pictured at the September 14 ceremony in Los Angeles.
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Russell and Rhys for further comment.
Russell said the subject is particularly delicate for Rhys because he still receives “a hard time” from colleagues after failing to mention them in his 2018 speech, when he won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for The Americans.
“It’s so crazy. People get nuts. It’s stupid, and it’s also lame,” Russell said of the criticism.
Handler agreed that acceptance speeches can reasonably focus on thanking professional collaborators rather than romantic partners.
Russell said she had no issue with whoever a winner chose to acknowledge. “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,” she said. “So I just said, ‘Take me off your plate.’”
The couple ultimately agreed that their relationship did not need to feature in their public remarks. “We don’t have to thank each other—this is private; this is for the business people. Thank whoever you want to thank,” Russell said they told each other.
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While accepting his award for The Beast in Me, Rhys joked, “If you try to turn me off, I’ll stab you in the eyes with this,” referring to the statuette in his hand.
He went on to call the win “a real shock,” particularly given the caliber of the cast, and singled out co-star Claire Danes for bringing a powerful presence to the crime drama.
Rhys did not mention Russell in either of his speeches, prompting some social media users to take notice.
Rhys had a standout night at the September 14 ceremony, winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Widow’s Bay and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for The Beast in Me.
Russell was seen applauding Rhys after one of his victories that evening.
Rhys also thanked his The Beast in Me co-star Claire Danes, who stood up after one of his wins.
“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,” Rhys said.
Following his victory for his work on Widow’s Bay, the Welsh star received a standing ovation from the crowd after capturing both awards for lead acting roles.
He said, ‘My apologies to the women who had to stand,’ prior to thanking the show’s creator Katie Dippold, adding that ‘her genius really does live in the recesses of her disturbed brain.’
Rhys also mentioned his parents and sister for ‘all the sage words and patient listening,’ but did not mention Russell, causing some users on social media to take notice.
Russell, who initially crossed paths with Rhys filming The Americans in 2012, had been up for multiple honors at the show herself for her work on The Diplomat.
They included Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and, as an executive producer, Outstanding Drama Series.