Rhys: Emmy Nods Can't Erase Deep Insecurity

Actor Matthew Rhys, despite receiving two Emmy nominations and starring in the summer's hit show "Widow's Bay," continues to grapple with profound self-doubt. He draws inspiration from the confidence displayed by Welsh actors like Richard Burton, who he feels defied national insecurities. Rhys connects his own feelings of inadequacy to the historical experience of Wales as a smaller nation overshadowed by England.

Rhys also expresses a strong commitment to the Welsh language, which he describes as being historically threatened and suppressed. He notes that his parents' generation fought against attempts to eradicate the language, a struggle that imbues him with a sense of duty. This connection to his roots, and the historical fight for linguistic survival, influences his perspective.

His acting career is marked by a tendency to play characters who are hiding something, from spies to potential murderers. Rhys attributes this to finding more depth in layered roles than in simpler ones. He also discusses his early acting training, which embraced American method acting, and his current approach, which he describes as a 'tool kit' rather than rigid adherence to method.

Reflecting on his success, Rhys admits that even with accolades, the feeling of insecurity persists, likening it to a "parrot" that warns of failure. He remains hungry for more, with movies and the Oscars representing a continued aspiration, even though he acknowledges awards don't fill a fundamental void. His ultimate goal is to perform a role he can look back on with complete satisfaction.