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Matthew Rhys won an Emmy and credited his childhood in Wales

He has been living in America for years but has not forgotten his roots

Cathy OwenBreaking News Editor 

He moved to Hollywood nearly two decades ago, but it was his roots in Wales that actor Matthew Rhys has credited after his success at the Emmys.

The Cardiff-born actor took home the prize for lead actor in a drama series for his role in The Americans - his first Emmy win after being nominated for the last three years.

And when the 43-year-old, who was brought up in Whitchurch, took to the stage in Los Angeles on Monday night to accept his award, lots of fans were surprised by his actual accent.

Rhys played the role of KGB deep-cover agent Philip Jennings in The Americans from 2013 to earlier this year.

Many fans congratulated him on his American accent in the show about a pair of KGB agents posing as a married couple in the white picket fence-style suburbia of ’80s Virginia.

And following his big win, Matthew took to Twitter to thank people in Welsh for all their messages of support and to credit his upbringing.

Roughly translated, he said: "A huge thank you for all of the messages.

"Proof if proof is needed that Sunday school verses, appearances on the stages of school, regional and national Eisteddfod competitions (including being robbed on a number of occasions) can, without doubt help, if not pay off at the time."

His on-screen wife and real-life partner, Keri Russell, was also nominated for her role in the show but did not win.


Matthew thanked her in his moving acceptance speech saying: "To the woman who truly got me this award who just stands in front of me every day and puts up with me.

"I don't have the word I don't have the time none of which do you justice...more to come, thank you,"

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