Matthew Rhys posing on a red carpet at a television premiere event
TV & Film

Matthew Rhys Compares His New Drama To 'Scooby-Doo' And Spills On Kylie Minogue Crush

The former 'Americans' star keeps it real about mystery show expiration dates and his pop-star crush.

By Rae MitchellPublished Updated 2 min read

Matthew Rhys is looking back on his Hollywood journey while dropping some serious truth bombs about how long a good television mystery should actually stay on the air. The 51-year-old actor, who earned widespread acclaim playing an undercover Soviet operative on *The Americans*, recently opened up about his latest screen project and the delicate balance of keeping viewers hooked without dragging out a story. While soaking up award-season buzz surrounding his new series, *Widow's Bay*, the Welsh star admitted that stretching a suspenseful plotline too far can backfire fast. Rather than promising an endless run of seasons, Rhys kept it totally real about why certain dramatic premises need a built-in expiration date.

How long will Matthew Rhys stay on Widow's Bay?

According to the actor, trying to push a whodunit concept past its natural ending turns sharp characters into total fools. He drew a vivid comparison to the classic animated series *Scooby-Doo*, noting that there is a strict limit to how long investigators can wander around clueless before the audience loses patience. Rhys pointed out that if viewers figure out the underlying puzzle long before the people on screen do, the suspense instantly vanishes. In his view, once people watching at home start getting annoyed that obvious clues are being missed, the story has already failed. Because of that narrative trap, he suggested his current series might ultimately have a finite run to keep the drama effective.

Matthew Rhys posing on a red carpet at a television premiere event
Matthew Rhys posing on a red carpet at a television premiere event

Is Matthew Rhys still with Keri Russell?

Beyond discussing plot pacing, the candid profile also touched on his memorable tenure starring in *The Americans* alongside his real-life partner, Keri Russell. The couple spent six seasons captivating audiences in the praised espionage thriller, building a deep connection both on screen and off. In addition to reflecting on past roles in hit shows like *Girls* and *The Beast in Me*, the charismatic actor confessed to a classic pop-culture crush on Australian pop icon Kylie Minogue. Whether he is breaking down television tropes or sharing throwbacks from his personal life, Rhys continues to show why he is one of the most charming leads in modern TV.

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People also ask

What show is Matthew Rhys currently starring in?
Matthew Rhys is currently generating awards buzz for his starring role in the thriller series Widow's Bay.
Are Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell together?
Yes, Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell have been together since meeting on the set of their hit drama series The Americans.