Matthew Rhys to Star in Tom Jones Biopic, Adding to Music Film Trend

Key facts

• Matthew Rhys is attached to star in a Tom Jones biopic.
• Rhys recently starred in the Apple TV+ series Widow's Bay, a horror-comedy-drama hybrid.
• Widow's Bay was created by Katie Dippold and directed by Hiro Murai for the first five episodes.
• The series follows mayor Tom Loftis (Rhys) trying to turn a cursed New England island into a tourist hotspot.
• Music biopics like Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, and A Complete Unknown have been box office and awards successes.
• Rhys is known for roles in The Americans, Girls, and The Beast in Me.

A New Role for Rhys: Singing a Different Tune

Matthew Rhys, the Welsh actor celebrated for his dramatic depth, is preparing to take on the role of Sir Tom Jones in an upcoming biopic. The project places Rhys at the heart of a cinematic trend that has proven lucrative and critically acclaimed: the music biopic. Recent examples include Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, and A Complete Unknown, all of which have drawn audiences and awards attention. Rhys's involvement signals a shift from his recent work in the Apple TV+ series Widow's Bay, where he played a beleaguered mayor confronting supernatural horrors. That series, a blend of horror, comedy, and small-town drama, showcased his range. Now, he will channel the iconic voice and persona of one of Wales's most famous exports.

Widow's Bay: A Cursed Island and a Mayor's Gamble

In Widow's Bay, Rhys portrays Tom Loftis, the mayor of a New England island plagued by legends of cannibalism, sea hags, and murderous clowns. The series, created by Katie Dippold and directed by Hiro Murai, defies easy categorization. It mixes jump scares with workplace comedy and family drama, as Tom tries to transform the island into a tourist destination despite its dark reputation. The show's tone is set by its first five episodes, directed by Murai, which lovingly cover horror tropes while grounding them in character-driven storytelling. Rhys's performance has been praised for its seamless pivot between terror, comedy, and genuine emotion, particularly in scenes dealing with the loss of his wife and his relationship with his teenage son.

The Ensemble and the Island's Haunted History

Rhys is supported by a cast that includes Stephen Root as Wyck, an alcoholic fisherman who serves as a Cassandra figure, warning of the island's curse. Kate O'Flynn plays Patricia, Tom's chief assistant, whose deadpan yet unhinged demeanor adds a layer of dark comedy. The series treats its eccentric characters as fully realized individuals, each with their own troubles and joys. The island itself is a character, with its lack of wifi, flickering lights, and mysterious fog. The horror elements are measured carefully, but the show suggests that the supernatural may be less terrifying than the real-world evils of ostracism and loneliness. Patricia's backstory, involving a lie about being approached by a serial killer, reveals how the community's past haunts its present.

Rhys's Versatility: From Spy to Sleaze to Sorrow

Matthew Rhys has built a career on playing complex, often morally ambiguous characters. He is best known for his role as Philip Jennings, a Soviet spy deep undercover in The Americans, a performance that earned him an Emmy. He also delivered an unforgettable turn as a predatory figure in an episode of Girls, and recently starred as a mesmerizing wife-murder suspect in The Beast in Me. In Widow's Bay, he brings this dramatic weight to a role that requires comedic timing and emotional vulnerability. His ability to shift from terror to laughter to grief has been singled out as exceptional. The series also explores the relationship between Tom and Wyck, who remembers Tom as a boy visiting his father every summer, and who sees him as a coward. Their dynamic becomes a central thread, questioning whether the child is father of the man.

The Biopic Boom and a Welsh Icon

The Tom Jones biopic joins a wave of music films that have dominated both box office and awards seasons. Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody grossed over $900 million worldwide and won four Oscars, while Elton John's Rocketman earned a Best Actor nomination for Taron Egerton. Bob Dylan's A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet, is set for release later this year. Tom Jones, born Thomas Jones Woodward in Pontypridd, Wales, rose to fame in the 1960s with hits like "It's Not Unusual" and "What's New Pussycat?" He has sold over 100 million records worldwide and continues to perform. The biopic will likely cover his early career, his iconic voice, and his enduring appeal. Rhys, also Welsh, brings a natural connection to the role, though he will need to capture Jones's distinctive baritone.

What Comes Next: Production and Release

Details on the Tom Jones biopic remain scarce, but Rhys's attachment suggests the project is moving forward. No director or screenwriter has been announced, and a release date has not been set. Given the current appetite for music biopics, the film is likely to attract significant attention. Meanwhile, Widow's Bay continues to air on Apple TV+, with critics praising its originality. The series has been described as "Mare of Easttown meets Schitt's Creek" but with a singular voice. For Rhys, it represents a successful foray into genre-blending storytelling, and a reminder of his ability to anchor a series with both gravitas and wit.

A Career at a Crossroads

Matthew Rhys's choice to play Tom Jones marks a deliberate move into a high-profile, awards-friendly genre. After years of acclaimed but often dark roles, the biopic offers a chance to reach a wider audience and showcase a different facet of his talent. The project also allows him to honor a fellow Welshman, adding a layer of personal significance. If the biopic follows the trajectory of its predecessors, it could cement Rhys's status as a leading man capable of carrying a major film. For now, audiences can see him in Widow's Bay, a series that proves he can handle horror, comedy, and heart with equal skill. The Tom Jones biopic is the next chapter in a career that shows no signs of slowing down.

The bottom line

• Matthew Rhys will star in a Tom Jones biopic, joining a trend of successful music films.
• Rhys's recent role in Widow's Bay demonstrates his versatility across genres.
• Widow's Bay blends horror, comedy, and drama, with Rhys playing a mayor fighting a cursed island's reputation.
• The series features a strong ensemble cast, including Stephen Root and Kate O'Flynn.
• Music biopics like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman have been box office and awards hits.
• Rhys's career includes acclaimed dramatic roles in The Americans, Girls, and The Beast in Me.