The Americans may have ended long ago, but Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys kept its spirit alive through their fashion choices at the 2026 Emmys. Both members of this power couple were nominated last night—Russell for lead actress in a drama series for The Diplomat, while Rhys won both of his categories: lead actor in a comedy series for Widow’s Bay and lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for The Beast In Me.

The duo chose to mark the occasion with looks by American designers. Russell made fashion history in Khaite’s first-ever custom red carpet dress—a sleek black leather halter dress with a plunging, open back and a buckle detail. “I had seen a version of this Khaite dress and fell in love with it,” Russell tells Vogue. “Cate [Holstein] worked with Frank [Fleming, my stylist] and me to elevate it for a slightly more formal feel—longer, lower back.” For Russell, it was all about feeling confident on such an eagerly anticipated night. “Her fit is just so luxe,” she says of Holstein’s design. “It just hangs in all the right places and has the edge of leather.”

For Holstein, working with Russell felt right for the brand’s first custom red carpet look. “She has a strong sense of self and isn’t afraid to take risks,” Holstein tells Vogue. The same went for working with leather. “It’s so intrinsic to the brand,” she adds. “Bringing it into this kind of setting allowed us to push it somewhere unexpected. There’s something daring about that tension, and Keri carries it with such ease.”

Rhys, for his part, hit the Emmys carpet in Thom Browne. He matched his wife’s energy in a made-to-measure twill tuxedo finished with black grosgrain tipping. The classic, gentlemanly tux—complete with a bibbed white Oxford shirt, knit cashmere vest, and bow tie—was finished with a pair of Browne’s wingtip boots. “Thom Browne was the perfect ideal for me,” Rhys says. “A perfect balance of classic, beautiful tailoring and mischievous subversion.”

Russell and Rhys share a stylist in Fleming, who helped make sure they were on the same sartorial page for the evening. “What resonates most with both Keri and Matthew is their authenticity in how they live and approach their lives,” he says. Khaite and Thom Browne reflected that confidence, he adds. “A likely NYC marriage!”

Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys Embrace Their American Sides at the 2026 Emmys

1 What happened with Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys at the 2026 Emmys
The reallife couple who are both Welshborn and American leaned into their American identities during the ceremonyreportedly through their redcarpet looks acceptance speeches or onstage bits that played up their US ties

2 Who are Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys
Keri Russell is an American actress known for Felicity The Americans and The Diplomat Matthew Rhys is a Welsh actor known for Brothers Sisters The Americans and Perry Mason They met on The Americans and have been together since 2014

3 Why is it notable that they embraced their American sides
Rhys is Welsh and Russell is American so the couple has always had a mix of UK and US identities Playing up their American side at a major US awards show was a fun selfaware nod to that dynamic

4 What did they actually do at the 2026 Emmys
They incorporated Americanthemed elements into their appearance andor presentationsuch as patriotic styling American flag accents or jokes about being honorary Americans versus the real thing

5 Was this planned or spontaneous
It appeared to be a planned playful choice rather than an accidenta deliberate way to have fun with their dual nationalities on a big night

6 Did they win any awards at the 2026 Emmys
Coverage focused on their redcarpet and onstage moment rather than a specific win so their appearance itself was the story

7 Why do people care about this
Fans love Russell and Rhys as a couple and their willingness to poke fun at their BritishAmerican blend makes them relatable and entertaining

8 What does embracing your American side even mean
It means leaning into US culture style or humorlike wearing American designers using American slang or referencing American traditionsespecially when you also have another national identity

9 Is Matthew Rhys actually American
No He was born in Cardiff Wales and is Welsh He has lived and worked in the US for years