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Get to know Ed Speleers.
The British-based actor stars inYouseason 4, the latest installment of Netflix’s psychological thriller.
According to Deadline,Speleers' role is describedasa “dry and irreverent” authorwho published a memoir that launched him acclaim and pressure to step into a political career. But in a Netflix teaser posted to Instagram, Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley)’s sure to note that Rhysdidn’t always live an affluent life. In fact, he “lived a traumatic early life before he came into money, going to Oxford and making all the right friends.”
Speleers' acting roles have historically been rather mysterious, but during an interview with PEOPLE, he explained that he’s drawn to roles “that find a way to push the envelope” and “find complexities in human behavior.” Ultimately, “I want to understand people a little bit better,” said Speleers.
Furthermore, the actor added: “I feel it’s important for me to always take myself out of my comfort zone when taking on a part or trying to understand someone else and trying to get in their way of thinking and how they operate. I find it fascinating.”
Between his various personas on camera and his personal life behind the scenes, here’s everything to know about Speleers.
He was born and raised in England
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Speleers was born and raised in England (though now travels around for jobs, such as in Los Angeles, for example). Despite the popularity of studying acting where he grew up, Speleers did not — tellingInterview Magazinethat hepartially regrets that decisionnow looking back.
“I’ve got a massive chip on my shoulder about that,” he began. “Coming from England, it’s a tradition. It’s less and less so now; there are a lot of great young actors coming out of England who have maybe not gone to drama school, but I wish I had.”
He stars as Rhys Montrose inYouseason 4
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Speleersplays Rhys Montrosein season 4 of the hit Netflix psychological drama series. The officialYouInstagram describes Rhys as “a good man in a cruel world,” a characteristic thataccompanies a video of Joe’s narrationof the newcomer character.
In Speleers' words: “Reese is particularly creepy, but I think as most people in society, he’s somewhere in the gray and is just trying to understand what has put him there.” The actor joins starBadgleyin the recurring role, in addition to newcomers Charlotte Ritchie, Tilly Keeper and Lukas Gage.
His breakout role was in the 2006 filmEragon
Ed Speleers/Instagram
Prior to being cast inYou, Speleers' other roles include James “Jimmy” Kent in the 2010 seriesDownton Abbey, Stephen Bonnet in 2014’sOutlanderand James Harcourt in 2016’sAlice Through the Looking Glass.
Youaside, Speleers can be seen in the upcoming season ofStar Trek: Picard. A fan of the franchise, Speleerspenned his excitement on his Instagrambecause “it’s been a long time coming” for the actor. “The whole experience holds and will hold a very special place for me and my family,” he wrote.
“I had the great fortune to work with some exceptionally talented people on both sides of the camera,” Speleers continued in part. “This was a part I cherished in ways that I cannot articulate properly on social media and I’ve felt honoured to become part of the Star Trek family.”
He’s married to producer and costume designer Asia Macey
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Speleers is married to wardrobe director Asia Macey, though it remains unclear when the two met. She’s known for her work on notable films including 2012’sDownton Abbeyseries, 2014’sInto the Woodsand 2015’sThe Lady in the Van.
Although the couple keeps details of their romance private, Macey has made appearances on Speleer’s Instagram as well as stepped out alongside him at various events.
He’s a dad
Speleers shares two children with Macey, a son and a daughter. The actor opened up about hisdecision to become a fatherduring a 2016 interview withThe Guardian.
“I’ll be honest,” Speleers began. “Having a child wasn’t immediately on my radar, but it’s the best thing in the world, and I’m very lucky to have both of them in my life.” While it’s unclear what his daughter’s name is, his son’s name is Jude.
He’s a big fan of soccer
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His love for the club goes way back, telling PEOPLE: “I’ve been obsessed with them since I was six years old.” He added, “I must look up Tottenham Hotspur on Google about a hundredtimes a day to see what’s going on. To see what the latest play is… I think football is a huge part of my life.”
Since Speleers' interest in soccer started at a young age, he’s also introducing his children to the sport. “And now my son’s into football. I thought he wasn’t going to be, and now he really is,” he said. “We get on brilliantly anyway, but that is a big thing for him and I at the moment.”
source: people.com
