Horror-comedy "Widow's Bay" rewrites Emmy history

The prestigious American television awards, the Emmys, were presented in Los Angeles on Monday, honoring the year's top achievements in television. The biggest surprise was the triumph of horror-comedy "Widow's Bay," which took home 14 awards — a new record for a comedy series in a single year, surpassing the previous record holder "The Studio," starring Seth Rogen.

"Widow's Bay" is set on a remote New England island, where mayor Tom Loftis, played by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, tries to revive the dying community by turning it into a tourist destination. Locals believe the island is cursed, and once tourists start arriving, old legends begin coming true. The series was named the year's best comedy, and Rhys won best actor in the category. His co-stars Steven Root and Kaitlin Olson also won for supporting roles.

The evening proved especially successful for Rhys, who also received a second Emmy for best actor in a limited series for his role in the psychological thriller "The Beast in Me," where he plays a mysterious real estate magnate.

The black comedy and crime drama "DTF St. Louis," centered on a love triangle that ends in a mysterious death and subsequent investigation, was named best limited series.

Proven performers win in drama categories

"The Pitt" retained its best drama series title for the second consecutive year — a realistic medical drama following emergency department staff at a Pittsburgh hospital through one tense shift. Noah Wyle won best actor in a drama series for his role as the department's lead doctor. Rhea Seehorn took best actress for her lead role in Vince Gilligan's science fiction series "Pluribus."

Jean Smart won best actress in a comedy series for "Hacks," playing a veteran comedian who partners with a young writer. It was her fifth Emmy for the role and eighth overall in her career.