A creepy clown became the punchline when Widows’ Bay star Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell discussed their latest projects. During a joint interview, Rhys turned a conversation about the escape provided by his Apple TV comedy-horror series into a quick Donald Trump joke that caught Russell off guard.
Rhys turns a horror villain into a political punchline
Keri Russell, who stars in The Diplomat, praised Widow’s Bay for avoiding references to the current political climate. While speaking with Variety, she described the series as a welcome break from what she called the “destruction of our country,” noting that viewers can simply disappear into its strange world.
Matthew Rhys quickly disagreed. The actor pointed toward the show’s sinister killer clown and delivered the punchline saying “That’s Trump.” Russell initially appeared surprised, prompting Rhys to make clear that he was joking. The exchange gave the interview a very different flavor in a matter of seconds.
Rhys plays Mayor Tom Loftis, a guy hoping to transform a remote New England island into a tourist destination. But things take a dark turn when the town’s creepy legends begin feeling less like old stories and more like a real nightmare. The cast also features Kate O’Flynn, Stephen Root, Kevin Carroll, Dale Dickey, Kingston Rumi Southwick and Hamish Linklater.
The joke lands because the show has become a legit critical darling. Widow’s Bay debuted on Apple TV in April 2026 and picked up 19 Primetime Emmy nominations for its first season. Apple has also renewed it for Season 2, so fans can have more of this island saga.
Viewers seem to be all-in on the show, too. Widow’s Bay has an 8.1/10 IMDb rating. Its first season also boasts a 98% Tomatometer score from scores of critics on Rotten Tomatoes, along with a 92% audience score. Those numbers suggest the horror-comedy has impressed both reviewers and viewers.
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on Mandatory.
