Jonathan Rhys Meyers on ‘cathartic’ loss of home during California wildfires

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

Jonathan Rhys Meyers has said losing his Malibu home to wildfires in California last year was “cathartic”.

Speaking on the red carpet of the Irish Film and Television Academy Awards, The Tudors actor said: “At the time obviously it was shocking and then, on reflection, it’s kind of cathartic.

“It builds character, if you look at it the right way, but yes, you don’t plan for it.”

He was presenting an award at the event on Friday night in Dublin.

He said a year on his family are now doing “very, very well”, adding “the most important thing in my house was safe, that’s my son, everything else you can build again.”