Matthew Rhys' sister 'so proud of him' after historic Emmy wins

The sister of Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys said her family had been "pinching ourselves all week" following his historic Emmy success.

Rhys became the first person to win two lead acting Emmy prizes in one night, after he was named best lead actor in a limited series for the psychological thriller The Beast In Me, and best lead actor in a comedy for his role in Widow's Bay.

His older sister Rachel Evans, who accompanied Rhys to the ceremony in Los Angeles, said she was starstruck seeing Hollywood royalty at the event, and revealed that she and her brother called their parents afterwards, who were sat at home in their dressing gowns.

Speaking to Lucy Owen on BBC Radio Wales , Evans said watching Rhys win the awards was "an experience I will never ever forget or probably match".

She said that as the "bossy" older sister, she told him that morning that he needed to prepare, adding: "If you win, you cannot wing it."

She also recalled the emotional moment when he thanked her during one of his acceptance speeches, calling her "the brains of the outfit".

"Keri [Russell, Rhys' partner] and I just looked at each other and we just could not believe it.

Evans said that Russell "loves to celebrate him and she's his biggest supporter", and was "just cheering, whooping, hands in the air" after his award wins.

Evans said that she saw many Hollywood stars that evening, and was starstruck by Harrison Ford.

"I'm a bit nervous about these things. I was just happy gaping and remembering things," she said.

Despite attending multiple after-parties that evening, Evans said they made sure to video call their parents who were sat at home in their dressing gowns.

"They were so far away, but they were so proud of him, as we all are... and they were pleased that I was there with him really."

Evans told Owen that she unexpectedly burst into tears while watching his Emmy awards being engraved, saying that was the moment it "sank in".

Evans told Owen that the response back in Wales had been "overwhelming".