Matthew Rhys
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Matthew Rhys Evans, born November 8, 1974, is a Welsh actor who has captivated audiences with his diverse and compelling performances. He first rose to prominence for his role as Kevin Walker in the acclaimed family drama series *Brothers & Sisters*, gracing our screens from 2006 to 2011.
However, it was his portrayal of Philip Jennings in the gripping spy drama *The Americans* (2013–2018) that truly cemented his status as a powerhouse performer. This iconic role earned him a prestigious Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2018, followed by the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series in 2019. His talent didn't go unnoticed in guest roles either, with an Emmy nomination for his appearance in *Girls* (2017) and a powerful turn as the title character in the period series *Perry Mason* (2020–2023).
Rhys has also made a significant mark on the silver screen. He captivated as Dylan Thomas in *The Edge of Love* (2008), delivered a memorable performance as Daniel Ellsberg in *The Post* (2017), and starred as a cynical journalist in the heartwarming *A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood* (2019). Beyond live-action, his versatile voice has lent itself to animated characters, including the memorable Emperor Belos in *The Owl House* (2020–2023).
Born in Cardiff, Wales, Matthew Rhys's first language is Welsh, a heritage he proudly embraces. He received his foundational education at Welsh-medium schools before embarking on his acting journey at the renowned Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. His early career saw him return to Wales to act in his native language, earning him a Best Actor award at the BAFTA Cymru for his role in *Bydd yn Wrol* (Be Brave).
His career trajectory has been marked by a consistent string of notable roles. From the colonial costume drama *Greenstone* in New Zealand to Julie Taymor's adaptation of *Titus*, Rhys has demonstrated a remarkable range. He's shared the screen with acting legends like Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange, and reunited with *Very Annie Mary* co-star Rachel Griffiths on *Brothers & Sisters*.
In the year 2000, Rhys took on the lead in Granada TV's drama series *Metropolis*, followed by roles in *Peaches* and a West End production of *The Graduate*. His travels took him to Ireland for the swashbuckling adventure *The Abduction Club*, and back to New Zealand for the epic drama *The Lost World*. His filmography continued to grow with credits in independent films like *Deathwatch* and *Fakers*.
The early 2000s saw Rhys appear in the iconic *Columbo* before moving to Santa Monica for his impactful role as Kevin Walker in *Brothers & Sisters*, a show that ran for five successful seasons.
In 2012, he delved into the world of Charles Dickens with the BBC adaptation of *The Mystery of Edwin Drood* and took on a challenging double role in a new adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's *The Scapegoat*. That same year, he graced the Off-Broadway stage in a revival of John Osborne's *Look Back in Anger*. In 2013, he starred in the television adaptation of P.D. James's *Death Comes to Pemberley*, embodying the spirit of Jane Austen's Fitzwilliam Darcy.
His partnership with Keri Russell in the FX series *The Americans* became a cultural phenomenon. As Russian KGB sleeper agents navigating life in 1980s America, their chemistry was undeniable, both on and off-screen. The show's critical acclaim and Rhys's masterful performance led to his Emmy win in its final season.
Looking ahead, Rhys is set to return to the Welsh stage in November 2025, portraying the legendary Richard Burton in the one-man play *Playing Burton*, a production celebrating Burton's centenary and supporting Michael Sheen's new Welsh National Theatre.
Beyond his acting career, Matthew Rhys has ventured into business. He established his own production company, Patagonia, in 2011, with projects in development including an adaptation of *Operation Julie*, a book about a significant Welsh LSD drug bust, and a potential film about the life of Owain Glyndŵr.
Rhys has also shown a dedication to supporting his local community, contributing to fundraising efforts for pubs in Wales, including the Vale of Aeron and the Glan Yr Afon.
In New York City, he owns and meticulously restored a vintage charter boat named Rarebit, a testament to his hands-on approach.
Personally, Matthew Rhys has been in a relationship with his *The Americans* co-star Keri Russell since 2014. They are parents to a son born in 2016. While referring to each other as husband and wife, Rhys has humorously noted they "literally haven't got round to marriage yet."
A proud supporter of Welsh independence and Plaid Cymru, Rhys is committed to preserving his cultural heritage. He makes a conscious effort to speak to his son solely in Welsh, ensuring the language's continuation.
His contributions have been recognized with honors, including a fellowship from Aberystwyth University in 2008. That same year, he was inducted into the druidic order of the Gorsedd of the Bards at the Welsh National Eisteddfod, receiving the bardic name Matthew Tâf for his commitment to the Welsh language and Wales. He even took to the stage with the National Youth Orchestra of Wales in 2009.
Rhys's extensive filmography spans across film, television, and theatre, showcasing his remarkable versatility. His accolades and nominations are a testament to his enduring talent and dedication to his craft.
He is also the author of *Patagonia: Crossing the Plain* (2010), a photographic journey documenting his travels and the Welsh settlers of the region.
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Matthew Rhys Evans ( REESS; born 8 November 1974) is a Welsh actor. He gained recognition for playing Kevin Walker in the family drama series Brothers & Sisters (2006–2011) and Philip Jennings in the spy drama series The Americans (2013–2018). For his performance in The Americans, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2018 and the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series in 2019. He was also Emmy-nominated for his guest role in Girls (2017) and for playing the title role in the period series Perry Mason (2020–2023).
In film, Rhys appeared as Dylan Thomas in The Edge of Love (2008) and as Daniel Ellsberg in The Post (2017) and starred as a cynical journalist in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019). He has also voiced several characters in animated series, including Emperor Belos in The Owl House (2020–2023).
== Early life and education ==
Rhys was born in Cardiff, Wales, on 8 November 1974 (some sources say 4 November). His first language is Welsh. He grew up in Cardiff and attended Welsh-medium schools, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Melin Gruffydd (in Whitchurch, Cardiff) and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf (in Llandaff North, Cardiff). In 1993, he was awarded the Patricia Rothermere Scholarship.
At age 17, after playing Elvis Presley in a school musical, he applied to and was accepted at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. During Rhys's time at RADA, he appeared in the BBC police series Backup and in House of America. He returned to Cardiff to act in his own language in the Welsh film Bydd yn Wrol (Be Brave), for which he won Best Actor at the BAFTA Cymru (Welsh BAFTAs).
== Career ==
In January 1998, Rhys went to New Zealand to star in Greenstone, a colonial costume drama for television. He then landed a role in Titus, Julie Taymor's adaptation of Titus Andronicus, starring Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange. Next he played Ray in Peter Hewitt's comedy film Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? After returning to Wales, he did two consecutive films with Jonathan Pryce: The Testimony of Taliesin Jones, a film about a dysfunctional single-parent family in which he played the elder son, and Sara Sugarman's comedy Very Annie Mary, in which he played the role of Nob. Rhys would later reunite with Very Annie Mary star Rachel Griffiths on Brothers & Sisters.
In 2000, Rhys played the lead role in Metropolis, a drama series for Granada TV about the lives of six twenty-somethings living in London. Next he starred in Peaches, the film of the play written and directed by Nick Grosso. Rhys starred as Benjamin in the 2000 world premiere of the stage adaptation of The Graduate, alongside Kathleen Turner at the Gielgud Theatre in London's West End. Rhys travelled to Ireland to star in the 18th-century swashbuckling adventure The Abduction Club. He played the lead role of Darren Daniels in Tabloid and then returned to New Zealand to shoot the epic drama The Lost World for the BBC. His other film credits include the independent horror film Deathwatch in Prague and Fakers, a comic crime caper.
In 2003, he played Justin Price in the final episode of the long-running television series Columbo. He appeared in the independent feature Love and Other Disasters, in Virgin Territory, and as poet Dylan Thomas in the love quadrangle biographical film The Edge of Love. He moved to Santa Monica after being cast in ABC's show Brothers & Sisters as gay lawyer Kevin Walker. The show had a five-season run, coming to an end in 2011.
In January 2012, Rhys appeared in a BBC Two two-part drama adaptation of Charles Dickens's last, unfinished novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) aired it in the United States as one feature-length episode on 15 April 2012. In 2012, Rhys reprised Sir Alec Guinness's 1959 double role of John Barratt / Jacques DeGué in a new adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's The Scapegoat. That same year, Rhys was cast as Jimmy in the Roundabout Theatre Company's Off-Broadway revival of John Osborne's play, Look Back in Anger, at the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. The production played a limited engagement through 8 April 2012. In 2013, Rhys starred in the television adaptation of the P. D. James novel Death Comes to Pemberley as Jane Austen hero Fitzwilliam Darcy.
He starred opposite Keri Russell in the FX series The Americans, a 1980s Cold War spy drama about Russian KGB sleeper agents (Rhys and Russell, who portray married KGB agents with two children, among other agents and handlers). Rhys and Russell are partners off-screen as well. The show debuted in January 2013. The series aired its sixth and final season in 2018. Rhys received a Primetime Emmy Award for his acting in the sixth season.
From 16 to 28 November 2025, Rhys will return to the Welsh stage to play Richard Burton in the acclaimed one-man play Playing Burton, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Burton's birth and raising funds for the inaugural season of Michael Sheen's new Welsh National Theatre.
== Business ventures ==
=== Patagonia productions ===
Rhys set up his own production company, Patagonia, in 2011. It has two projects in development. One of them involves an adaptation of a book titled Operation Julie, written by Lyn Ebenezer, about the biggest LSD drugs bust in Wales's history; Rhys bought the film rights in December 2010. In 2023, Rhys spoke on a podcast about how he has been working on a potential film about Owain Glyndŵr's life and his rebellion, begun in 1400, against the Kingdom of England.
=== Pubs ===
With the help of Welsh actor Rhys Ifans, Rhys supported fundraising for the pub Vale of Aeron in Ystrad Aeron, Ceredigion, Wales. Rhys also invested in another pub in Pennal, a town in Gwynedd, North Wales, where his father grew up and Rhys would spend summers and Easters visiting. In 2019, the Glan Yr Afon (also Riverside) was put on the market without any buyers, but through a campaign supported by Rhys, there was a shares offering for the public which raised £450,000 to save the pub. The local community completed the purchase in December 2022.
=== Charter yacht ===
In New York City, Rhys owns and rents a charter boat named Rarebit. The Wheeler boat was constructed circa 1934; Rhys bought it from eBay after researching the venture in 2017. He rebuilt the boat himself with the advice of shipwrights.
== Personal life ==
Rhys has been in a relationship with his The Americans co-star Keri Russell since 2014. They had their first child, a son, in 2016. In interviews conducted in 2021, they referred to each other as husband and wife, though Rhys stated in an interview in 2025 that they "literally haven't got round to marriage yet".
He is a supporter of Plaid Cymru and has spoken out in favour of Welsh independence. Rhys stated in November 2018 that he spoke to his son "only in Welsh", adding that he wants his son to understand the language.
On 15 July 2008, Aberystwyth University honoured Rhys as a fellow. On 8 August 2008, he was honoured at the Welsh National Eisteddfod by being accepted as a member to the druidic order of the Gorsedd of the Bards for his contributions to the Welsh language and Wales. His bardic name in the Gorsedd is Matthew Tâf. In August 2009, Rhys took to the stage with the National Youth Orchestra of Wales as part of the National Eisteddfod.
== Filmography ==
=== Film ===
=== Television ===
=== Theatre ===
== Awards and nominations ==
== Bibliography ==
Patagonia: Crossing the Plain (2010) – a photographic account of his month-long journey on horseback while filming a documentary on Patagonia, and the Welsh settlers who made it their home having journeyed from Wales in the late 19th century.
== References ==
== External links ==
Matthew Rhys at IMDb
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