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The Glass Magazine

Our next cover reveal: actor Tom Rhys Harries, is about to become one of the most recognisable faces in the DC universe. Stepping into the title role of Clayface, James Watkins’ body-horror origin story about an actor whose desperate attempt to recover what he has lost transforms him entirely, Harries admits the excitement is hard to contain. “I’ve been trusted to play the lead in the origin story of one of DC’s biggest characters. I’m not going to pretend that I’m cool about this.” Born in Cardiff, raised in a Welsh-speaking community and trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Harries built his career across theatre, television and film long before DC placed his face at the centre of a franchise. He is excitable, intellectually restless and inclined to follow one idea until it collides with three others. But beneath the excitement surrounding the blockbuster is a character study about identity, desperation, resilience and the point at which survival becomes something darker. “When you’re playing someone, you’re constantly seeking justification for their actions, whatever they are, so you’re not viewing them objectively.” Clayface first appeared in 1940, only a year after Batman. Since then, the character has moved through multiple names, bodies and moral classifications, appearing variously as criminal, monster, victim, tragic antihero or some unstable combination of them all. “He is fantastical, and then it’s down to your interpretation. I don’t think it’s interesting for me to reveal that to you or say, ‘This is what it is’. Film, television and plays are participatory. That’s where it lives.. thoughts and feelings within us.” With further insight from co-star and former Glass cover star Naomi Ackie, this is a feature you won’t want to miss. Out this week. Photographer: Jason Hetherington Stylist: Nathan Henry Grooming: Josh Knight using @Charlotte Tilbury for skin Photography assistant: Alfie Bungay Styling assistant: Livi Creighton Talent: Tom Rhys Harries All jewellery: @Cartier

On the profile · Oct 12, 2026