Fangirl Friday: Matthew Goode

 Heyo! Welcome to the first Fangirl Friday of the year! I just finished watching A Discovery of Witches, so Matthew Goode is on my mind, and I figured why not ramble about him to start the year off.

Matthew Goode

In high school I was somewhat of a "teaboo" which is an actual word in the dictionary. It basically means a non-British person who is obsessed with British - mostly English - media and culture. That very much describes my teen years. I was obsessed with The Beatles - called Paul McCartney my husband for many years. I binge watched SO much English media including the obvious Doctor Who and Sherlock. My favorite actor at the time was Benedict Cumberbatch. I know way too much about the current and past royals. During my numerous viewings of various English film and television shows, a certain actor kept popping up.  Matthew Goode is a British actor who has been on my radar for years, but he's only recently in the past few years joined my roster of actors whose work I seek out specifically.

I usually include in these posts how I was introduced to the subject, but I cannot for the life of me remember what I saw him in first. 2013-2015 was a blur of English media for me.

Matthew Goode as Bob Evans in The Offer

I somehow was immune to his good looks, charm, and incredible acting talent as a teen. It wasn't until 2022 when he appeared in Paramount +'s The Offer as Bob Evans that he actually caught my full attention. I originally watched the show as a Miles Teller fan. However, if you have watched the show, you know Matthew's performance of Bob Evans stole the show. I enjoyed his performance so much it still lives in my subconscious. Then last year, I decided to show my mother The Offer because she loves The Godfather films and I knew she'd love to see the chaos that may have gone on behind the scenes of the first film.

I don't know what his performance in The Offer because I've definitely seen him in much more charming roles in the past, but rewatching the show so I could focus on his performance is what made me fall in love with Matthew as an actor. I had so much fun watching him I began looking for more of his roles, even rewatching old media I'd already seen to specifically focus on his performance.

After my second watch, I was able to appreciate how wonderful his performances was. Bob Evans was a real person, but I know nothing about him outside this performance. In the show he seems like a total jerk at times, but you also see a vulnerable side of him after his wife leaves. His entire tough "I'm the boss" persona melts away during his break down, but he ends up getting himself together to help get The Godfather finished and released as it was intended. It's a phenomenal show and I recommend watching it, especially if you're like me and you enjoy mafia media.

Matthew Goode as Carl Morck in Dept. Q

Released in 2025, was Dept. Q where Matthew plays main character Carl Morck. I have lost count of how many times I have rewatched Dept. Q. I believe the show deserves a post of it's own because of how good it is. If you have not seen Dept. Q yet, I believe it is on Netflix and it is SO worth watching. Matthew's character Carl is a detective. He is solving a missing person's case while dealing with the trauma of being shot while on duty and dealing with the guilt of his partner having been paralyzed after the shooting. Carl's got a hard exterior and everyone at Scotland Yard seems to have a strong disdain for him. He partners with two unlikely people to solve the case and it's just beautiful how the story unfolds.

There is something about watching Matthew that leaves me in awe. He disappears into the characters he portrays. Most recently I finished watching A Discovery of Witches where he plays vampire Matthew de Clairmont. Mark him down as my third favorite fictional vampire - no one can beat Louis and Lestat. Matthew played that role beautifully. The complexity of the character falling in love with someone he shouldn't have and dealing with a disease that could have ruined everything. He portrayed the character with such a ferociousness, but also a tenderness. Balancing the fact that he was a natural born killer while also being a loving husband and later father.

I have a tendency to fixate on actors I enjoy watching. I am notorious for seeking out their entire filmography. I am still in the midst of Matthew's filmography, but I have been having SO much fun with the films and shows I have found so far.

Cannot wait to share more actors and artists I admire throughout the year!