Matthew Rhys

Matthew Rhys (born Matthew Rhys Evans) is an Emmy-winning actor best known for his starring role as Philip Jennings on FX’s The Americans. Rhys was born in Cardiff, Wales, and was raised in a Welsh-speaking household. He developed an interest in acting as a teenager after seeing a stage production in London, going on to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He graduated in 1996, beginning his career in British theater and television shortly afterward.

He first gained attention with roles in films such as House of America (1997), Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? (1999) and Titus (1999), which helped introduce him to American audiences. His career reached a new level in 2013 when he was cast opposite Keri Russell in The Americans. The FX drama ran for six seasons and became a critical success, significantly raising his Hollywood profile.

He was awarded the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2018. His film credits include Burnt (2015), The Post (2017) and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019). He also starred as the titular character in HBO’s Perry Mason from 2020 to 2023, further cementing his reputation as a leading dramatic actor.

Rhys has been in a long-term relationship with Russell since 2014. The couple welcomed son Sam Evans in 2016.