Matthew Rhys on His New Role and Welsh Heritage
Emmy-award winning actor Matthew Rhys attributes his Welsh roots and family ties to a Pembrokeshire town as influential factors in securing a leading role in the new Apple TV horror-comedy series Widow's Bay.
In the series, Rhys plays the mayor of a charming New England town who is focused on boosting tourism while downplaying supernatural rumors.
"It's not Fishguard, but it's heavily based on it," joked Rhys, who mentioned that during his audition he highlighted his background from a country rich in mythical stories.
"If myth and legend were an Olympic sport, our country [Wales] would podium every time, because it's something very dear to our hearts," Rhys told BBC Radio Wales.
Born in Cardiff, Rhys has maternal family roots in Fishguard and describes himself as descending from "a long line of mariners."
In Widow's Bay, Rhys portrays Tom Loftis, the mayor of a community challenged by lack of wi-fi, poor mobile phone reception, and residents who believe the island is cursed.
Loftis aims to attract visitors to the town but soon encounters old legends that once seemed "too ludicrous to be true" beginning to manifest again.
Career Highlights and Recent Work
Widow's Bay continues a successful run of television dramas for Rhys.
He spent five years on the series Brothers and Sisters, earned an Emmy for his role as a Soviet spy undercover in The Americans—where he met his partner Keri Russell—and most recently starred alongside Claire Danes in last year's Netflix thriller The Beast in Me.
Challenges and Career Reflections
Rhys is mindful of the uncertain nature of an acting career.
He revealed that after performing opposite Kathleen Turner in the stage production of The Graduate in 2000, he experienced an 18-month period without work and even considered joining the Army.
"I met with an officer and he was incredibly suspicious of me as an actor... and he said 'we'll be in touch'," Rhys recalled.
"Then about a week later, I got a rejection letter from the British Army saying, 'thank you for your interest, good luck in your career'.
"And I went 'oh my god, I can't even join the army'."
Theatre Work and Future Plans
Last year, Rhys toured the country with Playing Burton, a one-man theatre show in which he portrayed his hero, Richard Burton.
The performances supported the Welsh National Theatre, founded by actor and philanthropist Michael Sheen to promote Welsh storytelling.
Rhys is currently in discussions about bringing Playing Burton to Broadway.
"I hadn't been on stage in 16 years, so terrifying as it was, it was one of the most gratifying things I've ever done within acting," he said.
"We're still half talking about it possibly having a small re-emergence in New York next year.
"So it definitely still has a little life, but as memories go, it will be forever one of the most cherished I have."
