# Success of Widow’s Bay television series > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/success-of-widows-bay-television-series > Updated: 2026-09-14T23:31:02.000Z. Sources: 474. Developments: 2. The Apple TV+ horror-comedy series ‘Widow’s Bay’ has achieved significant critical success, earning 19 Emmy nominations and winning multiple awards. The series, which stars Matthew Rhys as Mayor Tom Loftis, has been renewed for a second season. Following the show’s initial recognition, casting director Emily Buntyn won a Primetime Emmy for her work on the production. At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and hosted by Mariska Hargitay, the series reached a record-breaking milestone by winning 14 Emmys across the Primetime and Creative Arts ceremonies, setting a new record for a comedy series. This achievement included winning Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for creator Katie Dippold, and Outstanding Directing for Hiro Murai. In acting categories, Matthew Rhys won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and made history as a double winner by also taking home the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series for ‘The Beast in Me’. Supporting wins were secured by Kate O’Flynn and Stephen Root, with Root becoming the oldest winner in his category at age 74. The 78th ceremony featured a streamlined format with the Television Academy reducing televised categories to 19. While Apple TV+ emerged as a dominant force alongside HBO Max’s ‘The Pitt’, the awards also sparked discussions regarding a decline in the number of non-white nominees compared to previous years. The ceremony also included a humanitarian tribute to Michael J. Fox and an ‘In Memoriam’ segment honoring figures such as Dolly Parton and Catherine O’Hara. ## Claims - The Pitt won Best Drama Series at the Emmy Awards. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Matthew Rhys became the first actor to win Emmys in all three major lead categories: comedy, drama, and limited series/TV movie. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Jean Smart won her eighth Emmy, tying the all-time record held by Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Jean Smart is the first woman to win an Emmy for every season of a series' broadcast for her role in 'Hacks'. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Noah Wyle won the award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for 'The Pitt'. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Rhea Seehorn won her first Emmy for her lead role in 'Pluribus'. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards were held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Mariska Hargitay hosted the ceremony. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Zendaya wore a custom Prada dress to the awards. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Pitt has won Best Drama Series for two consecutive years. (single source) - The Pitt received 25 nominations at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. (single source) - Noah Wyle was nominated for Best Actor in a Drama Series. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-14: Emily Buntyn wins Primetime Emmy for Widow's Bay El Paso casting director Emily Buntyn has won a Primetime Emmy for her work on the Apple TV+ series ‘Widow's Bay’. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emily-buntyn-wins-primetime-emmy-for-widows-bay ### 2026-09-14: Widow's Bay and The Pitt dominate 78th Emmy Awards At the 78th Emmy Awards, Apple TV+’s ‘Widow’s Bay’ set a comedy record with 14 wins, while ‘The Pitt’ won Best Drama for the second year running. Matthew Rhys made history with two lead acting wins. 472 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/matthew-rhys-stars-in-emmy-nominated-series-widows-bay --- Cite as: Success of Widow’s Bay television series. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/success-of-widows-bay-television-series