Jonathan Rhys Meyers captivated audiences in the noughties in Bend It Like Beckham, Dracula and as King Henry VIII in the steamy historical drama, The Tudors. While in recent years he's kept a low profile in Hollywood as his on-screen appearances have dwindled and he's relocated from star-studded Los Angeles to the quaint countryside of Ireland, the actor has recently resurfaced - and fans have one thing to say.
After more than four years away from red carpets, Jonathan returned to the spotlight in February for the Irish Film and Television Awards. Weeks later, he's made a new rare television appearance which has prompted a strong plea from his long-time fans to return to the big screen.
Jonathan sat down with Patrick Kielty on the Irish chat show, The Late Late Show, on 13 March, during which he opened up about living on a 20-acre farm and the Irish talent in Hollywood. Under a clip from the interview posted to Instagram, fans commented that it was "great to see him back".
Fans issue plea for Jonathan's return
"We need him back on our screens acting," one enthused fan commented after seeing the actor back on the talk show circuit. Others echoed the plea for his big screen return, calling Jonathan a "super talented guy" and one person declaring: "We’re ready for the comeback". Before his new red carpet appearance in February, Jonathan last walked a red carpet at the 78th Venice International Film Festival in September 2021.
"Great to see him back. He's been through a lot but he has so much talent and I hope that shines again for him," someone wrote, while others expressed they didn't recognise him, with many citing his roles from back in the 2000s.
© Film Council / Lions Gate"Good to see him healthy [clapping emoji]" another commented. Over the years, Jonathan has been open about his struggle with alcohol. While he hasn't frequented mainstream cinema as much, he hasn't completely stepped away from acting, appearing in the 2025 thriller, The Room Below, and Operation Blood Hunt in 2024, among other recent credits.
Public struggle
Jonathan's new appearance comes after a difficult few years, including multiple brushes with the law. The actor was arrested in November 2020 for misdemeanour DUI after crashing his car in Malibu. In February 2022, court documents first obtained by TMZ revealed he had been issued a $500 fine as part of a plea deal.
A few years earlier, in 2018, he reportedly got into an argument on a plane with his wife. He was detained at LAX airport upon landing. "I’ve let myself down by relapsing, and it’s my responsibility. Nobody else is to blame," he told Event magazine as per The Mail on Sunday after the event made headlines.
"I would be known as somebody who relapses with problem drinking, not alcoholism. I don’t suffer from alcoholism – I suffer from an allergy to alcohol every time I drink it." He continued: "When I drink, the consequences are so devastating that it is a problem. But I never need a drink. It’s not something I crave."
In 2015, he issued a public apology after photos published showed him walking out in London seemingly intoxicated. "Mara and I are thankful for your support and kindness during this time. I apologise for having a minor relapse and hope that people don’t think too badly of me. I stopped drinking immediately," he said in a statement.
"I am on the mend and thank well wishers and sorry for my dishevelled appearance as I was on my way home from a friends and had not changed. I feel I made a mistake and feel quite embarrassed but this was just a blip in my recovery otherwise I'm living a healthy life."
Move to the countryside
Jonathan confirmed on The Late Late Show that he has been back in his native Ireland for over three years after relocating from California to Wexford. "I've got like maybe 20 acres down there. Little farm. I have a few horses," the actor shared, clarifying that he's "not a farmer".
"It is nice to be down in the countryside," he added. The actor has a teenage son, Wolf, whom he shares with producer Mara Lane and who goes to school in Los Angeles. Jonathan and Mara, who have reportedly split, tied the knot in 2016 and welcomed their son that same year.
© FilmMagicThe Tudors star opened up later in the interview about losing his home in the California wildfires in 2025, which he said was "incredibly shocking".
"It was a shock to the system, but in a in a strange way, perspectively, down the line, I was furious for a couple of months, and then months down the line, you kind of think of the cathartic value of, well, that's all been taken away from a reason. Maybe the cup has to be emptied. You fill the cup up with something else. But, you know, it's all rebuildable."
