Matthew Rhys

Matthew Rhys
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Name	Matthew Rhys
Caption	Rhys at the 2019 Primetime Emmy Awards
Birth name	Matthew Rhys Evans
Birth date	8 November 1974
Birth place	Cardiff, Wales
Alma mater	Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1997–present
Partner	Keri Russell (2013–present)

Matthew Rhys is a Welsh actor acclaimed for his compelling performances in television, film, and theatre. He gained international recognition for his starring role as Philip Jennings on the acclaimed FX drama series The Americans, a performance that earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Rhys has also received praise for his portrayal of journalist John Charles "J.C." Hainey in the HBO series Perry Mason and for his work in films such as The Edge of Love and The Post.

Early life and education

Born Matthew Rhys Evans in Cardiff, he was raised in a Welsh-speaking household and attended Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, a Welsh-medium education school. His early interest in performance was nurtured through youth theatre at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff. He subsequently trained professionally at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating in 1995. During his time at RADA, he performed in productions like The Crucible and The Seagull, honing the craft that would define his career.

Career

Rhys's early career featured prominent roles in Welsh and British television, including the S4C series Pobol y Cwm and the BBC adaptation of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. His breakthrough came with the lead role in the 1999 film The House of America and a starring part in the ITV drama Metropolis. He gained wider recognition for his performance as Kevin Walker in the American series ''Brothers & Sisters'', which he joined in 2006. His most celebrated role to date is as KGB officer Philip Jennings on The Americans, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Critics' Choice Television Award. More recently, he starred in and executive produced the HBO revival of Perry Mason, receiving a Golden Globe Award nomination. His film work includes appearances in Titus, The Edge of Love opposite Keira Knightley, and Steven Spielberg's The Post.

Personal life

Rhys has been in a relationship with actress Keri Russell, his co-star on The Americans, since 2013. The couple have one son together, born in 2016, and reside primarily in Brooklyn, New York City. He is a vocal advocate for Welsh language and culture, often participating in events for S4C and Welsh arts organizations. Rhys is also a supporter of Liverpool F.C. and has been involved with charitable work for organizations such as UNICEF.

Filmography

A selection of his notable film and television credits includes the film The Edge of Love (2008), the BBC One series The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself (2022), and the Showtime limited series The Diplomat (2023). Other significant works are the feature film Death on the Nile (2022), the HBO film The Wine Show, and his voice role in the animated series Archer. He also appeared in the ITV drama Columbo and the Netflix film The Last Duel.

Stage work

Rhys has maintained a strong presence in theatre, particularly in the United Kingdom. His stage credits include performances in Patrick Marber's Closer at the Royal National Theatre, and the Royal Shakespeare Company production of The Tempest. He played the titular role in Henry V at the Shakespeare's Globe and appeared in the West End production of Under Milk Wood. Other notable theatrical work includes The Graduate in the West End theatre and a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at The Old Vic.

Awards and nominations

For his role on The Americans, Rhys won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2018 and received several Critics' Choice Television Award nominations. His performance in Perry Mason earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama nomination. He has also been recognized with awards from the Satellite Awards and the Wales International Film Festival. Rhys received a British Academy Cymru Award for his work in The Edge of Love and has been nominated for multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards as part of the ensemble for The Americans.

Category:Welsh male actors Category:1974 births Category:Living people Category:Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art