Rhys Thomas

Rhys Thomas (born 12 December 1978) is a British director, producer, actor, comedian and writer.

He is most famous for writing, directing and creating the multi award winning BBC/NBC Comedy drama series Dodger, a prequel to Oliver Twist and his roles in Star Stories, The Fast Show, Sirens and Nathan Barley. He also appears as Gary Bellamy on Radio 4's Down the Line and its television spin-off, Bellamy's People. Thomas was nominated for the Breakthrough Talent Award at the 2013 BAFTA Awards for producing and directing the acclaimed feature-length documentary Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender and subsequently won Best Arts Documentary in both the 2013 Rose D'Or and International Emmy Awards. He co-wrote, produced, directed and co-starred in the critically acclaimed spoof music documentary series The Life of Rock with Brian Pern on BBC Four and BBC Two.

Dodger first aired on CBBC on 6th February 2022. Following a positive audience reaction, it then also aired on BBC One in 13th March 2022.

Three new specials were filmed in the summer of 2022. The programme won a BAFTA and RTS Award for Best Scripted Children's Programme in 2022.

The latest Dodger, a 60 minute Christmas Special called ‘Coronation’ will air on BBC One at Christmas starring Christopher Eccleston as Fagin with Toby Stephens, Simon Callow, Paul Whitehouse, Nicola Coughlan and Lenny Rush.

Rhys Thomas also wrote, produced and directed hit comedy The Kemps : All True for BBC Two starring Gary and Martin Kemp which returns for a sequel Christmas BBC Two in December 2023.