Rhys Ifans has had a career that stretches across both film and television. From ‘Notting Hill’ to more recent projects, he has taken on a variety of roles in the entertainment industry. Let’s explore the journey of the actor since his breakout performance in 1999.
Ivans’ Streak of Successes After Notting Hill
‘Notting Hill‘ graced the big screens in 1999. Ifans, who played Spike, the housemate of William Thacker (portrayed by Hugh Grant), had his share in the film’s success. This performance not only made him rise to prominence but also led to a BAFTA nomination.
Following the success of ‘Notting Hill,’ Ifans continued to leave a mark on the big screen. In 2005, he received a BAFTA for his portrayal of Peter Cook in ‘Not Only But Always.’ Other major roles included Dr. Curt Connors/Lizard in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ and Xenophilius Lovegood in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One.’
The actor has also explored the theatre world. In 2017, he played Ebenezer Scrooge in ‘A Christian Carol’ at the Old Vic in London. He was slated to play Atticus Finch in the West End’s ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ in 2020, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the play was rescheduled for 2021. Eventually, Rafe Spall took on the role due to scheduling conflicts.
Ifans’ Television Success and Other Projects
In 2009, Ifans was part of the ensemble cast in ‘The Boat That Rocked,’ a nostalgic trip back to 1966 with the fictional pirate radio station ‘Radio Rock.’ A year later, in 2010, he took on the lead in Bernard Rose’s crime drama, ‘Mr. Nice,’ playing the life of the notorious Welsh marijuana trafficker, Howard Marks.
He returned to the big screen in 2021 with ‘The King’s Man,’ the third film in the Kingsman series. But the world of television wasn’t new to Ifans. Between 2016 and 2019, he also appeared as Hector DeJean in the American drama TV series ‘Berlin Station.’
As of 2022, Ifans took on the role of Otto Hightower in ‘House of the Dragon,’ a prequel to ‘Game of Thrones.’ The show, which premiered on August 21, 2022, rapidly climbed the charts to become one of the most-watched television programs globally.
In September this year, fans can expect to see the actor in upcoming projects like ‘Nyad,‘ where he’ll portray John Bartlett, and in Niclas Larsson’s ‘Mother, Couch‘ as Gruffudd.