Matthew Rhys has revealed that at one point in his career, his sole hope was to join the army, but he was rejected. The actor, now known for his starring role in Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay, shared that after a period of unemployment following a stage production, he considered a military career but was turned down.
Matthew Rhys’s Early Career Challenges
In 2000, Matthew Rhys appeared on stage opposite Kathleen Turner in The Graduate. However, after the production ended, he struggled to find work for more than 18 months. During this difficult time, Rhys decided to explore the possibility of joining the British Army.
He recounted meeting with an army officer who was suspicious of his background as an actor. After the meeting, Rhys received a rejection letter from the British Army, which stated, “Thank you for your interest, good luck in your career.” Reflecting on this, Rhys said, “Oh my God, I can’t even join the army.”
From Rejection to Success
Since that rejection, Matthew Rhys has made significant strides in his acting career. He currently stars in the horror-comedy series Widow’s Bay on Apple TV, where he plays Tom Loftis, the mayor of a New England town. The character tries to attract tourists while downplaying supernatural rumors affecting the community.
Rhys noted that the fictional town in the series is heavily based on Fishguard, a town connected to his family through his mother. He explained that coming from Wales, a country rich in mythology and legend, helped him relate to the role. “If myth and legend were an Olympic sport, our country [Wales] would [be on the] podium every time,” he told BBC Radio Wales.
Recent Work and Theatre Return
Matthew Rhys has enjoyed a successful run in television, including five years on Brothers and Sisters, winning an Emmy for his role as a Soviet spy in The Americans, and starring in the Netflix thriller The Beast in Me. Last year, he returned to the stage after 16 years with a one-man show, Playing Burton, portraying his hero Richard Burton.
The theatre performances raised funds for the Welsh National Theatre, founded by Michael Sheen to promote Welsh stories. Rhys is currently in discussions about bringing Playing Burton to Broadway, describing the experience as “one of the most gratifying things I’ve ever done within acting.”