The Cast of Showtime's The Tudors -- Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Fresh off his Golden Globe win for portraying Elvis in the CBS miniseries, Irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers seems poised to be the next big thing with his leading role in Showtime's sexy series, The Tudors (2007). In addition to his television work, Meyers has been seen in some very high profile films over the last couple of years, including Mission Impossible 3 (2006), and the lead in Woody Allen's Match Point (2005). His performances are consistently getting strong reviews, one critic going so far as to say:

I have precisely three words to describe to why you must watch this Sunday's premiere of the new Showtime series The Tudors:

Jonathan.

Rhys.

Meyers.

~E! Online

It may appear that this hot young talent has just burst onto the scene and is taking Hollywood by storm, but Meyers has been one of the hardest-working unknown talents in film for 13 years now, beginning with an unnamed role in a little seen film starring Albert Finney, A Man of No Importance (1994). As of this writing, he has 32 completed movies and/or television mini-series, with 5 additional projects in various stages of development, including a second season of The Tudors.

He was first thrust into a small spotlight in Todd Haynes' ambitious tribute to glam rock, Velvet Goldmine (1998). Although not a box office success, the independent film was a hit at Cannes and nominated for an Oscar for Costume Design. At the 1999 Oscars, host Whoopi Goldberg appeared on-stage in a replica of the first costume Meyers wears in the movie, a silver jumpsuit. In the film, Meyers portrays the complex glam rock star, Brian Slade, loosely modeled on David Bowie. The role is very striking physically and quite challenging, going through numerous changes in appearance, each accompanied by a shift in demeanor and personality. Meyers also provides the vocals for two songs used in the film.