Matthew Rhys and Claire Danes Thrill in Netflix’s “The Beast in Me” — Must-Watch Mystery Has Fans Buzzing

Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, best known for his Emmy-winning turn in “The Americans,” is back in the spotlight this week with a double dose of high-profile projects that have propelled him to the top of entertainment headlines. First is “The Beast in Me,” an eight-episode psychological thriller that landed on Netflix today. Critics are raving about the slow-burn cat-and-mouse drama that pairs Rhys with three-time Emmy winner Claire Danes. Rhys plays Nile Jarvis, a real-estate heir still shadowed by suspicion over his wife’s disappearance, while Danes portrays grief-stricken author Aggie Wiggs. Early reviews praise the show’s “top-tier” writing and the electrifying chemistry between its leads, positioning it as an instant awards contender. For Rhys, whose recent credits include HBO’s “Perry Mason,” the role marks a return to morally ambiguous territory that showcases his knack for balancing menace with charm. Simultaneously, Rhys is preparing to step back onto the stage for the first time in 16 years, embodying fellow Welsh icon Richard Burton in a one-man show that will tour Wales later this month. Speaking to BBC Wales, the Cardiff-born actor admitted the prospect is “pretty terrifying,” but said the chance to honor Burton’s centenary and reignite interest in Welsh theatre was irresistible. The production, simply titled “Playing Burton,” will debut in Mwldan, Cardigan on 17 November before a home-state run that culminates in Burton’s birthplace of Pontrhydyfen. The timing of these two projects is fortuitous: “The Beast in Me” offers Rhys global streaming exposure just as ticket sales open for the stage tour, creating cross-platform momentum that few performers enjoy. Industry observers note that Netflix’s placement of the series in a coveted pre-holiday slot could translate into quick word-of-mouth growth, while the intimate theatre production taps into a surge of interest in biographical solo shows. Rhys has long balanced screen and stage work, but the actor says the opportunity to play Burton—a formative influence—feels “like the planets aligning.” With Emmy buzz already circling his latest TV role and advance demand strong for the theatre run, 2025 is shaping up to be Rhys’s biggest year since his breakout as Soviet spy Philip Jennings. For fans and newcomers alike, now is the perfect moment to revisit Rhys’s extensive catalog, from “Brothers & Sisters” to his acclaimed Mister Rogers portrayal in “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” before diving into the dark allure of “The Beast in Me” and the live-wire intensity of “Playing Burton.” Whether on screen or stage, Matthew Rhys’s magnetic presence is once again impossible to ignore.