Matthew Rhys has long been one of Hollywood's most compelling actors, delivering career-defining performances in Brothers & Sisters and The Americans. At this year's Emmys, he made history by winning two Lead Actor awards in one night for his roles in Netflix's The Beast in Me and Apple TV+'s runaway hit Widow's Bay. But before those triumphs, Rhys starred in another gripping thriller that often gets overlooked: Perry Mason on HBO. With its two short seasons, this dark crime saga is absolutely worth revisiting.
What Is 'Perry Mason' About?
Set in 1930s Los Angeles, Perry Mason reimagines the classic legal drama as a gritty noir. Rhys plays Perry, a hardened private investigator struggling to make ends meet during the Great Depression. When a baby boy named Charlie is kidnapped and murdered—a case echoing the real-life Lindbergh tragedy—Perry is drawn into a web of secrets and lies. He's aided by his mentor E.B. Jonathan (John Lithgow), loyal secretary Della Street (Juliet Rylance), and beat cop Paul Drake (Chris Chalk). Meanwhile, an enigmatic preacher, Sister Alice (Tatiana Maslany), stirs public frenzy, adding layers of complexity to the investigation.
Dark Storylines and an Incredible Cast
From its opening scene, Perry Mason hooks viewers with an eerie, immersive atmosphere. The mysteries in both seasons are compelling whodunits that keep you guessing. Perry himself is a morally ambiguous protagonist—broken by his experiences in World War I—but his quest for justice makes him easy to root for. The show's meticulous attention to historical detail creates a unique backdrop that sets it apart from other dramas.
Rhys is the main draw, delivering an instantly iconic performance with his fedora and gravelly voice. In Season 2, he transitions into a lawyer with even more gravitas. The supporting cast is equally stellar: Rylance and Chalk nail their roles, while Gayle Rankin shines as Charlie's grieving mother, and Maslany brings complexity to Sister Alice. Shea Whigham, Lili Taylor, Hope Davis, and Stephen Root (who also appears in Widow's Bay) round out a fantastic ensemble.
Despite earning six Emmy nominations, including nods for Rhys and Lithgow, Perry Mason was canceled after two seasons due to COVID-19 delays and high production costs. While it's disappointing that Rhys didn't get more time in the role, it freed him to take on his recent award-winning projects. If you're looking for a dark, mysterious binge, or just want to see Rhys in another stellar performance, Perry Mason is the perfect choice. For more gripping thrillers, check out our list of Netflix thrillers that never had a bad season or explore classic suspense films that still grip you.
