Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell know how to keep the competitive nature at television's most prestigious award show fun and lighthearted.
During an interview with E!, Rhys spoke about the banter between him and his partner, Russell, involving Emmy wins: "She goes, 'If you win both, I'm not coming home with you,'" he shared.
The prominent couple had several nominations between them this year at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony on Monday night, Sept. 14.
Rhys was nominated for his work on Netflix's "The Beast in Me" and Apple TV's "Widow's Bay." The Welsh actor made history as the first male actor to win lead acting awards in drama, comedy, and limited/anthology series.
Russell received a lead actress nod for a drama series in Netflix's political
thriller "The Diplomat," but "Pluribus" star Rhea Seehorn took home the prize.
When E! asked whether "he was a free man" after securing the wins, Rhys joked, "I don't know if I'm free, lonely maybe."
'She's always really the winner'
According to ELLE, Rhys and Russell became a couple after reconnecting on the set of "The Americans" in the early 2010s.
Monday night's Emmys marked the fourth time they've earned Emmy nominations in the same year, after dual bids in 2016, 2017 and 2018 for starring in the FX Soviet-spy drama.
Rhys spoke more about his friendly rivalry with Russell while backstage after securing his wins.
"It's not playful. It's all serious. I've bet a lot of money on myself; the kids run a book. I was the odds-on favorite. It's gonna be a rough week for her, and I'm sorry. I don't know if I am, to be perfectly honest," Rhys stated. "She's always the class act. She always sends her fellow nominees Gloria Steinem quotes about being linked and not judged. And I'm the one going, 'woo hoo!'"
Rhys may have bet on himself this year, but he's still betting on Russell in the long run. "She's always really the winner, if I'm perfectly honest. [Whispers] I think next year she might get one. That's my bet."
Contributing: Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matthew Rhys shares what Keri Russell told him if he secured Emmy wins
