Matthew Rhys and Jason Bateman are among the multiple 2026 Emmy acting nominees who have achieved a rare feat by scoring nominations in three lead acting categories: Drama, Comedy, and Limited, Anthology or Movie. This achievement makes them the first male performers to accomplish this feat in the history of the Emmy Awards.
Rhys and Bateman’s Triple Threat
Matthew Rhys, known for his roles in Apple TV’s horror comedy Widow’s Bay and Netflix’s thriller The Beast In Me, has been nominated for Outstanding Actor In a Comedy Series and Outstanding Actor In a Limited Series or Movie. He is among several double acting nominees, including Jason Bateman, Nick Offerman, Laurie Metcalf, and Colman Domingo.
Jason Bateman, a four-time nominee this year, has been recognized for his performance in Netflix’s Black Rabbit as Lead Actor In a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie and for his supporting role in HBO’s DTF St. Louis as Supporting Actor In a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. Bateman has also been nominated for directing on Black Rabbit and producing on DTF St. Louis.
Range and Versatility
Like Rhys, double acting nominees Offerman, Metcalf, and Domingo are showcasing their range by scoring nominations for dramatic and comedic turns. Nick Offerman, a Guest Actor Emmy winner for HBO’s post-apocalyptic drama The Last Of Us, is nominated in two Supporting Actor categories: Comedy Series for Apple TV’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles and Limited Series or Movie for historical drama Death By Lightning.
Laurie Metcalf, who recently won a Tony Award, is recognized in the Supporting Actress In a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie category for Netflix’s dark true crime limited series Monster: The Ed Gein Story, and as Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for HBO Max’s Hacks, a role that earned her an Emmy win in 2022.
Colman Domingo, a previous nominee (and winner) in the Guest Actor In a Drama series for HBO’s Euphoria in 2022 and Supporting Actor In a Comedy Series for Netflix’s The Four Seasons in 2025, is nominated for both this year.
Record-Setters and Career Milestones
Rhys and Bateman join three actresses who had previously landed at least one nomination in each of the three lead categories: Susan Saint James for Kate & Allie (comedy) and McMillan & Wife (both as drama and limited series/movie); Laura Linney for The Big C, Ozark and two movies/limited series, Wild Iris and John Adams; and Edie Falco for Nurse Jackie, The Sopranos and Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders.
This achievement is a testament to the actors’ range and versatility, and their ability to excel in different genres and formats. The nominations are a celebration of their talent and dedication to their craft.
With their latest acting nominations, Rhys and Bateman have solidified their place in the history of the Emmy Awards, joining an elite group of actors who have achieved this rare feat.
