Matthew Rhys on Acting, Wales, and His Latest Roles
Matthew Rhys, the Welsh actor known for 'The Americans' and 'Perry Mason,' discusses his career, his latest roles in 'The Beast in Me' and 'Widow's Bay,' and his approach to acting. He reflects on his training at RADA, his Welsh heritage, and the challenges of playing complex characters. Rhys also talks about his family, including his son with Keri Russell, and his love for television and theatre. The interview covers his fears, his audition process, and his admiration for fellow Welsh actors Richard Burton and Anthony Hopkins.
Key facts
- Matthew Rhys won an Emmy for Best Actor for 'The Americans.'
- He fell in love with co-star Keri Russell, with whom he has a ten-year-old son.
- Rhys played Perry Mason in HBO's update of the noir classic.
- He stars in 'The Beast in Me' as Niles Jarvis and in 'Widow's Bay' as Tom Loftis.
- 'Widow's Bay' was picked up for a second season.
- Rhys performed a one-man show called 'Playing Burton' for Richard Burton's centenary.
- He uses sense memory and emotional triggers for his performances.
- Rhys still auditions for roles to stay humble and hungry.
Entities
Artists
- Matthew Rhys
- Keri Russell
- Katie Dippold
- Hiro Murai
- Stephen Root
- Hamish Linklater
- K Callan
- Richard Burton
- Dylan Thomas
- Anthony Hopkins
- Michael Sheen
- Tom Hanks
- John Candy
- Brad Pitt
- Ed Norton
- Uta Hagen
- Stella Adler
- Marlon Brando
- Robert Shaw
- Owain Glyndŵr
- Melvyn Bragg
- Ari Onassis
Institutions
- RADA
- ABC
- FX
- HBO
- National Theatre
- New Yorker
Locations
- Wales
- Florence
- Italy
- New York
- Los Angeles
- Massachusetts
- Derbyshire
- Port Talbot
- Rome