Matthew Rhys channels Hannibal Lecter in new Netflix thriller

Matthew Rhys says he was inspired by Anthony Hopkins for his performance in The Beast In Me

Emmy award-winning actor Matthew Rhys says he was inspired by fellow Welshman Anthony Hopkins for his latest "creepy" role.

Rhys stars as property tycoon Nile Jarvis in new Netflix thriller series The Beast in Me, alongside actress Claire Danes who portrays reclusive author Aggie Wiggs.

On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Rhys described the series as "old-fashioned Hitchcockian" and a game of "cat and mouse".

The Cardiff-born actor said the 1990s classic film The Silence of the Lambs had influenced how he played his character.

"If you are going to steal, steal from the best. I stole a lot from Anthony Hopkins," he said.

Rhys compared the new series to a game of "cat and mouse"

Rhys, who now lives in New York, was also asked by Fallon if there were any Welsh traditions that he kept in his family.

The 51-year-old laughed as he shared that they eat leeks and lamb - and that they have a leek-eating competition on 1 March.

"I insist the children have coal in their Christmas stockings, which is a luxury item in Wales," he joked.

Part of an old Welsh tradition, Rhys said he had also carved a Celtic love spoon for his partner Keri Russell for her birthday.

"That is beautiful," Fallon said.

"If the Welsh are going to do romance, they have to be practical," Rhys told Fallon.

Matthew Rhys plays Nile Jarvis in the new thriller drama The Beast in Me

Fallon asked Rhys if there were any Welsh traditions that related to livestock.

Rhys said: "Sadly, you have to wait till one of the animals dies. But on New Year's Eve, it is called in Welsh 'the Mari Lwyd' or 'the Grey Mare', where a horse's head is draped with a cloak."

He added: "The Welsh have a bold statement in that we sort of pretend that we invented rap.

"You would sing a verse, and then someone on the other side of the door would sing a verse back as to why they shouldn't let you in."

Rhys returned to Wales for his national tour playing Richard Burton in a one-man show that began on 17 November in Mwldan, Cardigan, and concludes in Pontrhydyfen.