Matthew Rhys' 8-Part Netflix Psychological Thriller Is Aging Like Fine Wine

Published Sep 27, 2026, 1:58 PM EDT

Erin Konrad's love for everything entertainment dates back to elementary school when she became obsessed with classic Hollywood musicals. When she's not catching up on all her favorite television shows, she's advising her friends and family on what they should binge watch next.

She has her Bachelor's degree in Journalism and a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Creating content for Collider gives her the opportunity to combine her writing skills with her passion for television and movies. She spends her free time trying to beat her personal record of reading 137 books in a year and cuddling with her dog, Gracie.

It's possible for some television shows to feel dated after a while. As our culture changes and new entertainment becomes available, some series that used to be major hits just don't have the same magic they once did. However, sometimes a show feels as captivating as the first time you watched it. One Netflix series in particular, which just received a surprise Season 2 renewal, is all but destined to become a drama that stands the test of time.

What Is 'The Beast in Me' About?

The Beast in Me first premiered in November 2025, but nearly a year later, it's still every bit as worthy of a binge-watch. The story follows Aggie Wiggs (Claire Danes), a reclusive writer who became renowned for penning a memoir about her complex relationship with her father. However, Aggie struggles to write her next book, plagued by a traumatic tragedy. Along with an alcohol problem and a desire to reconnect with her ex-wife, Shelley (Natalie Morales), Aggie is clearly struggling.

Making Aggie's life even more complicated is a mysterious neighbor, Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys), who moves in next door with his second wife, Nina (Brittany Snow). Not only is Nile the son of a wealthy real estate magnate, but he was also accused of killing his first wife. Aggie is fascinated with Nile's intriguing and infamous reputation, and becomes ensnared in his toxic web after making the decision to make Nile the subject of her next book. What unfolds over eight episodes is an addictive psychological thriller that will have you hooked until the last frame.

'The Beast in Me' Will Hook You With Its Twisty Premise and Incredible Cast

The Beast in Me offers an intriguing premise, in which you don't know which characters you can actually trust. Everyone is hiding something, and Aggie doesn't make for a very reliable narrator, with her blackout drinking and hazy perspective. We can sense her growing uneasiness around Nile, and it's not until further along in the show that we discover whether everyone's perception of him is accurate or not. Through flashbacks to both Aggie and Nile's pasts, the storytelling unfolds in a twisty and completely fascinating way. Each scene allows the viewer to fall deeper under Nile's spell, and reminds us that so many secrets can hide beneath the facade of wealth and privilege.

Netflix's psychological thriller rises above other series in its genre largely because of its wildly talented cast. Rhys, who managed to nab an Emmy this year for his performance, is electric as the terrifying and enigmatic Nile. His portrayal feels even more impressive if you've caught Rhys in his other recent Emmy-winning role in Widow's Bay. Danes is the perfect scene partner for Rhys, because they can both telegraph emotions with the smallest expression. Danes is known for playing characters heading off the deep end, and she's definitely mastered the depiction of a woman on the edge. The electric chemistry between the two actors is obvious and makes their scenes together all the more delicious. Aside from the two leads, the supporting cast in The Beast in Me is every bit as extraordinary. Jonathan Banks offers a gravelly, intense performance as Nile's ruthless father, and Leila George is fantastic as Nile's first wife. Each actor's work helps to create a narrative that feels eerily compelling, and only serves to build the suspenseful tension.

The Beast in Me entered the Emmys race as a limited series, landing nine nominations, including ones for Rhys, Danes, and for Outstanding Limited Series. However, in a shocking announcement, Netflix has now renewed it for a second season. It does seem like a bit of a bait-and-switch when it comes to the Emmys race (where it probably should have competed as a drama series), but it is still exciting that we'll get to dive back into this world in future episodes. Even if The Beast in Me had stayed a limited series, the show is only getting better with age.

The Beast in Me

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