Who does Ed Speleers play in 'You' season 4 on Netflix?

Ed Speleers' character on 'You' is part of the twist that no one saw coming

ed speelers as rhys montrose in you season 4
(Image credit: Netflix / © 2022 Netflix, Inc.)

Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) has taken a liking to Ed Speleers' character in You season 4...which has raised a few red flags for viewers. 

You season 3 ended on a fatal note, forcing our literary serial killer to pick up and start over in a brand-new location. We soon learn that there's yet another Joe Goldberg name and alias to become acquainted with: this time, Jonathan Moore, a literature professor in London. 

It's there that he encounters Ed Speleers' Rhys, but just how will this friendship develop? (It's a hunch but we're sensing some trouble ahead, to say the least.) Are we going to have to add Rhys to the list of people Joe Goldberg has killed...or is he capable of holding his own?

Let's get to know the man behind Rhys and the "Eat the Rich Killer," as he's been affectionately titled.

Who does Ed Speleers play in 'You' season 4?

Ed Speleers portrays Rhys Montrose in season 4 of the Netflix psychological drama.

*WARNING: SEASON 4 PART 2 SPOILERS AHEAD* 

While making the rounds in academia, Joe (uh, we mean Jonathan) connects with Montrose, as the author does not come from a wealthy background. Rhys grew up in poverty but managed to make his way over to Oxford, which is the subject of his book. 

Joe feels particularly attached to Rhys, as he's not one of the many "privileged douchebags" on campus and appears to have had a difficult childhood like Joe. In season 4 part 1, we learn that the two literary scholars have more than a love of words in common—they're both killers. 

Enter season 4 part 2, which hit Netflix on March 9. Everything is turned upside down, as we learn that Rhys is just an alter ego Joe uses. Yes, the author and mayoral hopeful is real, but Joe hasn't actually interacted with him—it was all a hallucination. 

So, what does that mean? Who killed Malcom and the rest of the up-and-coming politician's victims? You guessed it: Joe. 

"That was a role that allowed me to play with the shackles off, I suppose. It was a very liberating part," the actor told Variety. "The character, he’s there to poke and prod and needle and question Joe’s sheer existence."

Even we didn't see this bizarre twist coming.

Who is Ed Speleers from 'You' season 4?

Ed Speleers is an English actor and producer who is best known for his role as Stephen Bonnet in Outlander and Jimmy Kent in Downtown Abby. In addition to these historical series, you can also catch Speleers in 2016's Alice Through the Looking Glass, 2015's Wolf Hall and more. 

According to IMDB, he is set to star in the upcoming rom-com Irish Wish, which finds a very unhappy protagonist, Maddie, who learns the love of her life is engaged to her best friend. (Oh, and Miss Lindsay Lohan will make a cameo in this one, so you'll want to give it some screen time.) This year, he'll also make his way onto an episode of Star Trek Picard. 

Ed Speelers' age: how old is he?

Born on April 7, 1988, the actor-producer is currently 34 years old. And for the astrologically in tune, he's an Aries. 

Who are Ed Speelers' wife and kids?

In 2014, Speelers married costume director Asia Macey, and they share two children, a boy and a girl. He is pretty quiet about his family life, but we occasionally get glimpses of them on social media.

What is Ed Speleers' Instagram handle?

Speaking of the 'gram, Speleers posts filming news, landscape shots and the occasional selfie onto his social media page, which you can find at @edwardjspeleers.

There's still a lot to learn about Rhys' character and his friendship with Joe, so make sure you're tuning in for all things You! (Oh, and here's how to read the You series in order—which is getting a new installment later this spring.)

You season 4 parts 1 and 2 are currently streaming on Netflix.

Danielle Valente
Digital News Writer

Need a TV show recommendation? Maybe a few decor tips? Danielle, a digital news writer at Future, has you covered. Her work appears throughout the company’s lifestyle brands, including My Imperfect Life, Real Homes, and woman&home. Mainly, her time is spent at My Imperfect Life, where she’s attuned to the latest entertainment trends and dating advice for Gen Z.

Before her time at Future, Danielle was the editor of Time Out New York Kids, where she got to experience the best of the city from the point of view of its littlest residents. Before that, she was a news editor at Elite Daily. Her work has also appeared in Domino, Chowhound, and amNewYork, to name a few. 

When Danielle’s not writing, you can find her testing out a new recipe, reading a book (suggestions always welcome), or rearranging the furniture in her apartment…again.