Matthew Rhys explains why his ‘sinister’ new role is actually in his ‘wheelhouse’

Key Concepts

• The Beast in Me (Netflix Series): A new Netflix series starring Matthew Rhys.
• Nile Jarvis: The character played by Matthew Rhys in "The Beast in Me," a real estate titan suspected of murdering his missing wife.
• Aggie (Claire Danes): The character played by Claire Danes, an acclaimed author who becomes suspicious of Nile Jarvis.
• Cat and Mouse Game: The dynamic between Nile Jarvis and Aggie, characterized by suspicion, investigation, and psychological maneuvering.
• Matthew Rhys's Past Roles: Comparison of Nile Jarvis to Rhys's previous characters, such as Philip Jennings in "The Americans" and Perry Mason.
• Character Nuance: The complexity and shifting nature of the relationship between Nile Jarvis and Aggie.
• Stage Return: Matthew Rhys's upcoming return to the stage in London to play Richard Burton.
• Richard Burton: The iconic Welsh actor whose 100th birthday is being celebrated.

The Beast in Me: A New Sinister Role for Matthew Rhys

The YouTube transcript features an interview with actor Matthew Rhys about his new role in the Netflix series, "The Beast in Me." Rhys, known for his Emmy-winning performance as a Russian spy in "The Americans" and his portrayal of Perry Mason, takes on a "sinister new role" as Nile Jarvis in this latest project.

Main Topics and Key Points

• Nile Jarvis Character: Rhys plays Nile Jarvis, a real estate titan who is a suspect in the disappearance and presumed murder of his wife. The character is described as having a significant ego, influence, and a "menacing, chilling nature."
• Departure from Previous Roles: The interviewer highlights that this role is a significant departure from Rhys's previous characters, such as Philip Jennings and Perry Mason. Rhys himself notes that playing "darker, more menacing characters" is rare for him and that he "leapt at the opportunity."
• Rhys's Comfort Zone: Ironically, Rhys states that the character of Nile Jarvis is "very close to home" and that the "rage, menace, rage, and sinister" aspects are his "wheelhouse" and "comfort zone."
• Strong Writing: Rhys attributes much of the character's impact to the "incredibly strong writing." He aimed "not to get in the way of it" and avoid adding "any unneeded mustard on top of it."
• Pre-established Menace: The transcript emphasizes that the series establishes Nile Jarvis as "disturbing or menacing or sinister" before the audience even meets him, meaning the "hard work was done for you."
• Neutral Canvas: The character of Nile Jarvis is set up as a "neutral canvas" that is "unreadable" to the audience, with his "true colors" only emerging towards the end. The challenge for Rhys was "not to do too much or to give too much away too early."

The Dynamic Between Nile Jarvis and Aggie

• Cat and Mouse Game: The core of the series revolves around a "game of cat and mouse" between Nile Jarvis and Aggie, an acclaimed author played by Claire Danes. Aggie is constantly trying to understand "What is really going on with this guy?"
• Navigating Nuance: The relationship between Nile and Aggie is described as "uncomfortable" and characterized by them being at "opposite ends of the spectrum." They are "constantly leaning in and being kind of repulsed by each other."
• Opposed Worldviews and Affection: Despite having "radically opposed world views" and "deeply polarized convictions," they manage to have "real affection for each other."
• Challenging Scene: Rhys recounts filming a "10-page long" scene (almost 10 minutes) on his second day of filming. While initially daunting, he found it beneficial as it "set up beautifully and give the relationship an enormous foundation going forward." This scene involved them going through a range of emotions, including insults, laughter, and discovering a "very strange relationship" they wouldn't have anticipated.

Matthew Rhys's Return to the Stage

• Playing Richard Burton: The interview concludes with Rhys discussing his upcoming return to the stage in London after 20 years. He will be playing the iconic Welsh actor Richard Burton.
• Richard Burton's Centenary: This performance coincides with celebrations for Richard Burton's 100th birthday.
• Terrifying Prospect: Rhys expresses being "terrified" about his first performance at the Old Vic theater, a venue "incredibly associated with Burton," who performed his famous Hamlet there.

Synthesis/Conclusion

Matthew Rhys's interview highlights his exciting new role as the enigmatic Nile Jarvis in "The Beast in Me," a character that allows him to explore darker, more menacing territory. The success of the character is attributed to strong writing and a deliberate narrative choice to build suspense. The interview also touches upon the complex and evolving relationship between Rhys's character and Claire Danes's character, Aggie, emphasizing their opposing worldviews yet developing affection. Finally, Rhys shares his anticipation and trepidation about returning to the stage to portray the legendary Richard Burton, marking a significant personal and professional milestone. The series "The Beast in Me" is available on Netflix.