Screen

"Though he boasts a leading man's good looks, Rhys Ifans' unconventional blend of loutish swagger and bruised sensitivity has seen him mainly cast in character roles. But he has displayed a remarkable range in these, and has excelled on those occasions when placed at the centre of a film."

- BFI Screenonline

Film

Most people would say Rhys' "big break" into film was "Notting Hill" although many would argue it could have been "Twin Town". Twin Town a local sensation while Notting Hill made an international impression. He was nominated for a BAFTA and Blockbuster award for his portrayal of Spike in Notting Hill.

He has portrayed a huge variety of real and well-known fictional characters including Howard Marks, Peter Cook, Hook (Neverland Mini-Series), Xenophilius Lovegood, Captain Cat, The Earl of Oxford, Dylan Thomas, and Rasputin.

He has helped create some amazing characters as well such as Spike (Notting Hill), Eye Ball Paul (Kevin & Perry Go Large), Adrian (Little Nicky), Vladis Grutas (Hannibal Rising), The Lizard (The Amazing Spider-Man), Gavin (Pirate Radio), and Jed (Enduring Love).

In 2005 Rhys was nominated for an Emmy and won a BAFTA for his portrayal of Peter Cook in Not Only But Always.

Television Series

Rhys started his Film and Television career with several Welsh television programs.

He participated in the irreverent Swig o Port launched in 1987 at Eisteddfod Porthmadog. A very young Rhys was seen as a minor character in Slac Yn Dynn, a SC4 Welsh programme that aired in 1990.

Though not his first endeavour, Pobl y Chyff was quite memorable. Pobl y Chyff is a comedy programme that aired in 1994. It starred Rhys and Meirion Davies as "The Two Franks", comical characters created in Swig's entertainment programmes from the National Eisteddfod of Wales promoting the Welsh language. It was filmed in front of a studio audience and included special guests and musical numbers.

Since then Rhys has portrayed a variety of characters in a number of series such as Chris (Gifted, an episode of Playhouse Presents), Mycroft Holmes (Elementary), Hector De Jean (Berlin Station) and Otto Hightower (House of the Dragon) and Hugh (in Six Days One June, one of The Last Word Monologues episodes).

Rhys has an extensive list of credits, all of which are not mentioned on this page. To see a list of his credits please refer to the IMDB.