Thirteen years ago this month, Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries was a recent drama school graduate, finding his footing by hanging from a meat hook each night in a revival of Jez Butterworth’s play, Mojo. At the time, his performance as a teenage rock idol alongside stars like Ben Whishaw and Rupert Grint drew comparisons to an embryonic Elvis. Today, the 36-year-old Cardiff native has secured the title role in Clayface, a gritty DC Comics project set within the dark landscape of Gotham City. E xactly 13 years ago this month, Tom Rhys Harries was hanging by his ankles from a meat hook every night. Michael Billington likened him to “an embryonic Elvis”. He draws attention to his fashion faux pas. “I’ve got a smart shirt on but then these,” he laughs, gesturing to his navy-blue shorts. “Party on the bottom, business on top, standing up to shut the door. Though, who is giving rock star this morning, even all this time after Mojo, in his grey denim shirt with a silver chain against tanned skin and assorted silver rings on his fingers, it is Harries. Harries has earned the right to relax.
Joining a prominent group of British actors in the comic book movie space, including Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, and the recently cast Black Panther star David Jonsson, Harries admits that taking on this blockbuster lead required a specific mindset. He notes that if he had attempted this role earlier in his career, the pressure and insecurity of the project might have overwhelmed him. Now, he feels fully prepared for the challenge. However, is in short supply, stadium-rocker pomposity.
Speaking from his Los Angeles residence, which he shares with his partner, the Grammy-winning songwriter Amy Allen, Harries maintains a grounded demeanor despite his upcoming turn in a major franchise. He reflects on his career trajectory, which has spanned roles in the horror-comedy Slaughterhouse Rulez and the television thriller Suspicion, alongside work with actors like Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche. He also recalls earlier industry critiques, admitting that negative reviews from his youth once made it difficult to even get out of bed.
The actor’s path to the lead in Clayface involved a grueling three-month audition process overseen by producers James Gunn and Matt Reeves. When asked how he maintained his mental well-being during such a prolonged uncertainty, Harries candidly replied that he simply did not. His character, Matt Hagen, is a rising actor whose life is destroyed after he crosses a dangerous mob boss. The resulting disfigurement leads him to a scientist, played by Naomi Ackie, who offers an experimental serum that creates terrifying, unstable physical consequences.
One particular sequence involving the character’s melting eyelids has been described by Harries as a significant tipping point for the film’s visceral horror elements. He emphasizes that the movie seeks to offer something distinct within the current superhero landscape, which he feels is ready for a shift. Despite the critical struggles of other recent DC entries, such as the underperforming Joker: Folie à Deux and Supergirl, Harries remains optimistic about the film’s unique, darker direction.
Harries credits his parents, both teachers at Welsh-language schools, for ensuring he was tested for ADHD at seven years old. He believes this diagnosis has been fundamental to his professional success, allowing him to hyper-fixate on his work and find focus. He describes his youth as rebellious, noting that without the support of dedicated mentors and teachers, his life could have taken a vastly different path. This sense of gratitude and the need to prove his worth continues to drive his commitment to his craft. No less, for her work with Sabrina Carpenter and others, she is the professional musician of the two: songwriter of the year at the Grammys two years running.
Known for a distinctive, almost ethereal screen presence that has previously invited comparisons to David Bowie, Harries avoids getting caught up in the aesthetics of his roles. While his appearance has played a part in previous projects like the folk horror film Crow, he prefers to focus on the internal vulnerability and rage required to bring complex characters like Clayface to life. He remains focused on the work, viewing his looks as merely one tool among many in his acting toolkit.
As he prepares for the global release of the film, Harries continues to build upon a diverse portfolio that ranges from Bowie-inspired musical debuts to high-stakes genre dramas. While the special effects of his latest film provide a gruesome spectacle, he insists the core of the story rests on the emotional torment of his character. With his past experience navigating both stage and screen, the actor seems ready to face the scrutiny that comes with leading a high-profile DC project.
