Netflix Star's Accent Revelation Stuns Viewers
Devotees of the hit Netflix series The Beast In Me have been left utterly astounded after discovering that its leading man, Matthew Rhys, is actually Welsh. The 51-year-old actor, who hails from Cardiff, employs a flawless American accent to portray the enigmatic and dangerous Nile Jarvis, a man once accused of murder who becomes toxically obsessed with his neighbour.
A Dark and Twisting Psychological Thriller
The show, which is now dominating television charts worldwide, pairs Rhys with Claire Danes, 46, who plays Aggie Wiggs. Her character is a grief-stricken author who has withdrawn from normal life following the death of her son. The official synopsis sets the scene for a chilling narrative: 'Grief-stricken and desperate for purpose, Aggie Wiggs becomes entangled with Nile Jarvis - a man once accused of murder. Obsession turns toxic. Danger creeps closer.'
The revelation about Rhys's true nationality spread like wildfire after a clip from an interview circulated on TikTok. In the clip, the actor jokingly claimed he had done all the press for the series 'utterly inebriated'. This prompted a flood of shocked reactions from fans in the comments section.
One bewildered viewer wrote, 'He's hysterical. I did not know he is British.' Another exclaimed, 'Omg he's British????' while a third praised his performance, calling it 'The most remarkable acting ever I was clueless he is British.' The sentiment was echoed by others, with one fan stating, 'I can't believe he's Welsh! That's brilliant'.
Critical Acclaim and Fan Demand
While many know Matthew Rhys from his Emmy-winning role as Philip Jennings in The Americans, the Welsh actor has an extensive career, including performing in his native language for the film Bydd yn Wrol (Be Brave), which earned him a Best Actor award at the Bafta Cymru.
His latest project, The Beast In Me, is being hailed by viewers as the 'best show' they have seen in a long time, with many binge-watching the 'top-tier' thriller. The series boasts an impressive 7.5 out of 10 rating on IMDb and an even higher 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The cast also features Brittany Snow as Nina Jarvis, Nile's second wife, and Natalie Morales as Shelley, Aggie's ex-wife. Claire Danes recently discussed the challenges of her role, admitting that portraying such an internal and grief-paralysed character was intimidating, but crediting director Antonio Campos for making Aggie accessible to the audience.
With its fast-paced, dark plot centred on a 'toxic' entanglement, the show's success has already sparked calls from fans for a second season.
