Rhys Meyers Breaks for Rehab

Tudors star checks into undisclosed facility to seek treatment for alcohol abuse

By Sarah Hall Apr 24, 2007 5:48 PMTags

Jonathan Rhys Meyers doesn't need royal treatment—just the standard variety.

The actor, who currently stars as Henry VIII in Showtime's The Tudors, has checked himself into an undisclosed rehab facility to seek treatment for alcohol abuse, his rep Meredith O'Sullivan said Tuesday.

"After a nonstop succession of filming, Jonathan Rhys Meyers has entered an alcohol-treatment program," O'Sullivan said in a statement. "He felt a break was needed to maintain his recovery."

Rhys Meyers "plans to resume his schedule following completion," the rep added.

The Golden Globe winner's decision to seek treatment is likely somewhat unnerving for Showtime, as the network has a lot riding on the 29-year-old actor.

The Apr. 1 premiere of The Tudors drew record numbers for the cable net, with 870,000 viewers tuning in for the initial broadcast and an additional 440,000 watching an encore episode.

The network was sufficiently pleased with the strong numbers to give the drama series an early renewal, announced earlier this month.

The second season, which deals with Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn and (spoiler alert!) her subsequent beheading, was scheduled to begin filming in Dublin next month.

It was unclear whether Rhys Meyer's stint in rehab would delay production.

With regard to his big-screen obligations, the actor recently wrapped up filming on the dramas August Rush and The Children of Huang Shi.

Next up, he's due to star in Brontë opposite Michelle Williams and Toussaint with Don Cheadle.

Both features are expected to begin filming later this year.