How Matthew Rhys Found Perry Mason Performance “In Real Time”

Matthew Rhys found convenience in Perry Mason’s flaw.

The Emmy winner plays the titular lawyer on season 2 of Perry Mason—premiering March 6 on HBO—and while the second season picks up six months after the events of season one, Mason’s suaveness in the courtroom still needs some work. In an exclusive interview with E! News, the Americans alum stated it offered a unique opportunity to grow best together with his character.

“You’re kind of doing it in real time, so the road to discovery was being played out on camera,” Rhys described of his performance. “It’s like the luxury of season one when, in real time, Mason’s staggering his way into becoming a trial lawyer. You don’t have to come in day one and be this very slick, performance-level trial lawyer. I was allowed to kind of bumble and fumble in front of everyone, as Mason did.”

Because Mason is expected to be a bit uncomfortable and unskilled, Rhys joked that his work was facilitated.