---
name: "Rhys Ifans"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/rhys-ifans"
fi1m_id: "rhys-ifans"
imdb_id: "nm0406975"
tmdb_id: 7026
wikidata_id: "Q215017"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "22 July 1967"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 64
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-10-07T14:06:31.082067+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Rhys Ifans

## Identity

Rhys Ifans

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/rhys-ifans
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** rhys-ifans
- **IMDb ID:** nm0406975
- **TMDB ID:** 7026
- **Wikidata ID:** Q215017
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhys_Ifans, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q215017, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0406975/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7026

Actor. Born 22 July 1967 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 22 July 1967, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK
- **Active:** 1999–present
- **Also known as:** The Peth, Rhys Owain Evans, Rhys Evans
- **Frequently works with:** [Avi Arad](https://film.one/person/avi-arad.md), [Matt Tolmach](https://film.one/person/matt-tolmach.md), [Steve Kloves](https://film.one/person/steve-kloves.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 64, as actor, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 78 (1), 2000s 47 (2), 2010s 69 (4), 2020s 65 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 63 to 61 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 0 at 80+, 7 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 8 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Adventure 5, Action 3, Comedy 3, Drama 3, Science Fiction 3, History 2
- **Screen time:** 20 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $4,708m across 9 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhys_Ifans, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q215017, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0406975/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7026

## Coming up

- *Bollywoof* (2027-01-22), as (voice)

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*The Amazing Spider-Man*](https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man.md) (64), [*Venom: The Last Dance*](https://film.one/film/venom-the-last-dance.md) (48)
- **AMC+:** [*Official Secrets*](https://film.one/film/official-secrets.md) (68)
- **HBO Max:** [*Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1*](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-1.md) (67)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Rhys Ifans

> Rhys Ifans is good at making an eccentric supporting character feel like someone worth spending time with. The comic timing and sly glances help; the trouble comes when a film expects his likeability to do the work of a story.

As Spike, the slovenly housemate in *Notting Hill* (1999), Rhys Ifans gives the romance a scruffier sort of company. We laughed at Spike because Ifans times the broad comedy so well that the untidiness does not have to carry the joke. Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant make the unlikely romance easy to care about, while Roger Michell keeps the affection credible.

The breakthrough had come with *Twin Town* (1997), before *Notting Hill* brought international attention and further offers to play much the same unkempt character. The attraction is understandable: Ifans brings physicality, voice and comic timing to supporting parts that could otherwise amount to a description in a casting brief. His sly glances and side comments invite us to share his amusement. That is useful, but it should not excuse a writer from giving the character something to do.

Leading roles allowed more than that: Peter Cook in *Not Only But Always* (2004), followed by Howard Marks in *Mr Nice* (2010). His warmth helps make Marks convincing, though *Mr Nice* has uneven pacing and too little tension. The later television role of Otto Hightower in *House of the Dragon* (2022–) takes him further from the assumption that he should always be there to make us laugh.

*Venom: The Last Dance* (2024) shows how little even his warmth can achieve without useful material. He plays Martin, a cheerful believer in aliens travelling with his family, with Alanna Ubach as his wife Nova. Kelly Marcel's film means these scenes to provide its heart, but they go nowhere; Ifans is likeable, and the detours still stop the story. We would not recommend the film for him, though the failure is hardly his alone. Start with *Notting Hill*, where his comic timing serves a romance worth caring about, and allow for a second half that takes too long over its obstacles.

## Biography

Rhys Ifans is a Welsh actor and musician. Born Rhys Owain Evans on 22 July 1967 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, he grew up in Ruthin and trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. He began his career in Welsh-language television and theatre before appearing in films such as *Twin Town* (1997) alongside his brother Llŷr Ifans.

Ifans is known for roles including Spike in *Notting Hill* (1999), Xenophilius Lovegood in *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1* (2010), Dr Curt Connors / The Lizard in *The Amazing Spider-Man* (2012) and *Spider-Man: No Way Home* (2021), Grigori Rasputin in *The King's Man* (2021), and Martin in *Venom: The Last Dance* (2024). On television he has played Ser Otto Hightower in *House of the Dragon* (2022–). He was formerly frontman of the bands The Peth and Super Furry Animals.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, themoviedb.org.*

## On Fi1m (10)

- *Onwards and Sideways* (2026), Fi1m 72, as Tony Evans — [page](https://film.one/film/onwards-and-sideways.md)
- *Venom: The Last Dance* (2024), Fi1m 48, as Martin — [page](https://film.one/film/venom-the-last-dance.md)
- *Spider-Man: No Way Home* (2021), Fi1m 74, as Dr. Curt Connors / The Lizard — [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-no-way-home.md)
- *Official Secrets* (2019), Fi1m 68, as Ed Vulliamy — [page](https://film.one/film/official-secrets.md)
- *The Amazing Spider-Man* (2012), Fi1m 64, as The Lizard / Dr. Curt Connors — [page](https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man.md)
- *Exit Through the Gift Shop* (2010), Fi1m 76, as Narrator — [page](https://film.one/film/exit-through-the-gift-shop.md)
- *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1* (2010), Fi1m 67, as Xenophilius Lovegood — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-1.md)
- *Elizabeth: The Golden Age* (2007), Fi1m 54, as Robert Reston — [page](https://film.one/film/elizabeth-the-golden-age.md)
- *Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties* (2006), Fi1m 40, as McBunny (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/garfield-a-tail-of-two-kitties.md)
- *Notting Hill* (1999), Fi1m 78, as Spike — [page](https://film.one/film/notting-hill.md)

## Complete filmography (89)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Bollywoof* (2027), as (voice)
- *Onwards and Sideways* (2026), as Tony Evans — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/onwards-and-sideways.md)
- *Star City* (2026), series, as Chief Designer
- *Inheritance* (2025), as Sam Welch
- *Ffa Coffi Pawb!* (2024), Actor
- *Venom: The Last Dance* (2024), as Martin — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/venom-the-last-dance.md)
- *Mother, Couch* (2024), as Gruffudd
- *NYAD* (2023), as John Bartlett
- *Fiona* (2023), as Pianist
- *House of the Dragon* (2022), series, as Ser Otto Hightower
- *The Phantom of the Open* (2022), as Keith Mackenzie
- *The King's Man* (2021), as Grigori Rasputin
- *Spider-Man: No Way Home* (2021), as Dr. Curt Connors / The Lizard — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-no-way-home.md)
- *La Cha Cha* (2021), as Jeremiah
- *Last Call* (2020), as Dylan Thomas
- *Misbehaviour* (2020), as Eric Morley
- *Official Secrets* (2019), as Ed Vulliamy — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/official-secrets.md)
- *The Parting Glass* (2018), as Karl
- *Berlin Station* (2016), series, as Hector DeJean
- *Snowden* (2016), as Corbin O'Brian
- *Alice Through the Looking Glass* (2016), as Zanik Hightopp
- *Len and Company* (2015), as Len
- *Under Milk Wood* (2015), as Captain Cat · Co-Producer
- *The Marriage of Reason & Squalor* (2015), as Helmut Mandragorass / Dr. Algernon Hertz
- *Madame Bovary* (2015), as Monsieur Lheureux
- *She's Funny That Way* (2015), as Seth Gilbert
- *Serena* (2014), as Galloway
- *Another Me* (2013), as Don Delussey
- *Elementary* (2012), series, as Mycroft Holmes
- *The Amazing Spider-Man T4 Premiere Special* (2012), Actor
- *The Amazing Spider-Man* (2012), as The Lizard / Dr. Curt Connors — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man.md)
- *The Five-Year Engagement* (2012), as Winton Childs
- *Playhouse Presents* (2012), series, as Chris
- *Neverland* (2011), series, as James Hook
- *Anonymous* (2011), as Edward de Vere
- *The Organ Grinder's Monkey* (2011), as Rhys
- *Passion Play* (2011), as Sam
- *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1* (2010), as Xenophilius Lovegood — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-1.md)
- *Mr. Nice* (2010), as Howard Marks
- *Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang* (2010), as Phil Green
- *Greenberg* (2010), as Ivan Schrank
- *Exit Through the Gift Shop* (2010), as Narrator — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/exit-through-the-gift-shop.md)
- *Mr. Nobody* (2009), as Nemo's Father
- *The Boat That Rocked* (2009), as Gavin
- *The Informers* (2008), as Roger
- *A Number* (2008), as Salter's Sons
- *The Last Word Monologues* (2008), Actor
- *Come Here Today* (2008), as Alex
- *Elizabeth: The Golden Age* (2007), as Robert Reston — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/elizabeth-the-golden-age.md)
- *Hannibal Rising* (2007), as Vladis Grutas
- *Four Last Songs* (2007), as Dickie
- *Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties* (2006), as McBunny (voice) — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/garfield-a-tail-of-two-kitties.md)
- *Chromophobia* (2006), as Colin
- *Johnny Vegas: 18 Stone of Idiot - Unseen and Uncut* (2005), as Guest
- *The Undertaker* (2005), as The Undertaker
- *Not Only But Always* (2004), as Peter Cook
- *Enduring Love* (2004), as Jed
- *Vanity Fair* (2004), as William Dobbin
- *Burst* (2004), as Maxwell's Fan 11
- *Danny Deckchair* (2003), as Danny Morgan
- *Once Upon a Time in the Midlands* (2002), as Dek
- *The Shipping News* (2001), as Beaufield Nutbeem
- *The 51st State* (2001), as Iki
- *Christmas Carol: The Movie* (2001), as Bob Cratchit (voice)
- *Human Nature* (2001), as Puff
- *Hotel* (2001), as Trent Stoken
- *Little Nicky* (2000), as Adrian
- *The Replacements* (2000), as Nigel 'The Leg' Gruff
- *Kevin & Perry Go Large* (2000), as Eye Ball Paul
- *Love, Honour and Obey* (2000), as Matthew
- *Rancid Aluminium* (2000), as Pete Thompson
- *Robbie the Reindeer: Hooves of Fire* (1999), as Head Elf (voice)
- *Janice Beard 45 WPM* (1999), as Sean
- *You're Dead...* (1999), as Eddie
- *Notting Hill* (1999), as Spike — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/notting-hill.md)
- *Heart* (1999), as Alex Madden
- *Dancing at Lughnasa* (1998), as Gerry Evans
- *Trial & Retribution* (1997), series, as Michael Dunn
- *Twin Town* (1997), as Jeremy Lewis
- *The Deadness of Dad* (1997), as Dad / Uncle Dai
- *August* (1996), as Griffiths
- *TFI Friday* (1996), series, Actor
- *Streetlife* (1995), as Kevin
- *Nightshift* (1993), series, Actor
- *Spatz* (1990), series, as Dave
- *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Kevin
- *Capsized*, Actor
- *Lucia*, as James Joyce
- *The Scurry*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Rhys Ifans](https://film.one/media/person/10669/gallery-b322860093e0.jpg) Rhys Ifans — Rhys_Ifans_2011.jpg: Rae Hanson
derivative work: RanZag (talk), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Rhys_Ifans_2011_cropped.jpg/1280px-Rhys_Ifans_2011_cropped.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rhys Ifans (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/10669/gallery-20b6bcdfed81.jpg) Rhys Ifans (2019) — Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament from Wales, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Rhys_Ifans_%2853288699142%29.jpg/1280px-Rhys_Ifans_%2853288699142%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rhys Ifans (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/10669/gallery-420e51dbd9ec.jpg) Rhys Ifans (2019) — Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament from Wales, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Rhys_Ifans_%2853288699482%29.jpg/1280px-Rhys_Ifans_%2853288699482%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rhys Ifans (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/10669/gallery-71470e78d59a.jpg) Rhys Ifans (2019) — Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament from Wales, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Rhys_Ifans_%2853290048890%29.jpg/1280px-Rhys_Ifans_%2853290048890%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rhys Ifans](https://film.one/media/person/10669/gallery-04b2299c75b2.jpg) Rhys Ifans — Image via TMDB
- ![Rhys Ifans](https://film.one/media/person/10669/gallery-019455a11649.jpg) Rhys Ifans — Image via TMDB
- ![Rhys Ifans](https://film.one/media/person/10669/gallery-00103c4be598.jpg) Rhys Ifans — Image via TMDB
- ![Rhys Ifans (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/10669/gallery-4f508c8caf80.jpg) Rhys Ifans (2019) — Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament from Wales, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Rhys_Ifans_%2853290048890%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Rhys_Ifans_%2853290048890%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rhys Ifans (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/10669/gallery-b33c0581f207.jpg) Rhys Ifans (2011) — Rae Hanson, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/Rhys_Ifans_2011.jpg/1280px-Rhys_Ifans_2011.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rhys Ifans](https://film.one/media/person/10669/gallery-faf7e616d08e.jpg) Rhys Ifans — Image via TMDB
- ![Rhys Ifans](https://film.one/media/person/10669/gallery-651b3844cd05.jpg) Rhys Ifans — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won

- British Academy Film Awards 2005: British Academy Film Awards (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/rhys-ifans