If you’re one of the millions binge-watching Netflix’s hit new thriller, The Beast in Me, then no doubt you’ve fallen in love with Matthew Rhys.
Based on a true story, the show follows grieving mother Aggie (Claire Danes), who begins investigating the disappearance of her mysterious neighbour, Nile Jarvis’s (Matthew) wife.
For those utterly compelled by the captivating performance from the 51-year-old actor, also known for his roles in The Americans and A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, there’s one show where he truly shines.
Many a Matthew Rhys fan has nothing but praise for his starring role in the HBO prequel, Perry Mason, which ran for two seasons from 2020 to 2023.
The crime series follows the titular downtrodden detective in 1930s Los Angeles, solving mysteries as he processes his trauma from World War One.
Get personalised updates on all things Netflix
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
It served as the origin story for the legendary defence lawyer portrayed in the CBS series of the same name, which ran from 1957 to 1966. All of which is inspired by author Erle Stanley Gardner’s original novel series from the era.
Already a beloved franchise, Matthew had big boots and expectations to fill, helping bring it back to the small screen – and boy, did he deliver. Not only that, but he was joined by a star-studded cast including John Lithgow, Tatiana Maslany and Juliet Rylance.
Fans have shared plenty of praise for the neo-noir series over the years.
‘Utterly loved it, one of my favourite shows to come out of 2020. Brilliant cast, compelling plot, beautifully scenery and cinematography, and despite all the changes I feel it managed to stay to [the] true to the spirit of the original series,’ MGD109 wrote on Reddit.
‘The story was compelling and intense, and watching Perry Mason evolve from a dogged detective to a righteous lawyer was amazing. I definitely recommend it for crime and drama fans’ Paul S said over on Rotten Tomatoes.
‘First rate acting, extraordinary art direction and cinematography, perfect moody score…. Class act,’ Jovy J echoed.
‘Superb! Great story – keeps you in suspence all the time! The more you watch, the more riveting it gets! Fantastic acting! And yes it is profound and original! I am impressed!’ one anonymous user agreed.
Critics were also in agreement at the time.
‘Matthew Rhys is fantastic as this new, younger Mason, down on his luck in his personal life, but with a keen eye for a mystery.
‘He manages to cut through all the heavy portent to show some decent signs of a personality, though he is bogged down by the occasionally clunky line that pulls him right back to your regulation moody private investigator,’ The Guardian praised.
IGN called him ‘exemplary’, and NPR said the actor played both sides of the layered character ‘perfectly – the brooding, nonconformist of so many film noirs, as well as the emotional orator of those stirring summations to the jury.’
‘Rhys deftly unfurls the enigmatic character layer by layer, crafting this degenerate into a more recognisable version of the legal icon revered for decades,’ AV Club joined in the praise.
Sadly, despite a widely-praised, and Emmy-nominated run, the show never made it to a third season.
‘We are tremendously grateful for the remarkable work of Matthew Rhys and the unrivalled cast and crew of Perry Mason for their reimagining of such a treasured and storied franchise,’ HBO said in a statement confirming the show’s premature end.
Perry Mason is available to stream on NOW.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.