John Matthew Atkinson (born December 27, 1988)[1] is an American actor. He is best known for playing the roles of Austin Travers on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless (2014 to 2015) and Thomas Forrester on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful (2019 to 2024). He was also a regular cast member on the ABC Family series Jane by Design (2012).

Matthew Atkinson
Born
John Matthew Atkinson

(1988-12-27) December 27, 1988 (age 35)
OccupationActor
Years active2009–present
SpouseBrytnee Ratledge (m. 2023)

Early life

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Atkinson was born in Marietta, Georgia. He has one sibling, an older brother. His father was a salesman and the family moved frequently because of his work. They lived in Alabama and Mississippi before returning to Georgia and settling in Kennesaw.[2][3] While growing up, he was a skateboarder and he played baseball. He became involved in theater while he was in high school.[4] After graduation, he moved to Atlanta to take college courses. He eventually decided to move to Los Angeles and pursue acting.[3] Atkinson is of Native American and Irish descent.[5]

Career

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Atkinson made his film debut in The Blind Side (2009).[6] He guest starred on One Tree Hill, Drop Dead Diva, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.[7][8] He appeared in the short films 3 1/2 and Why You Goin' Out With My Sister?[3]

In 2012, Atkinson guest starred on the web series Fletcher Drive.[9] He joined the cast of Hot Mess, a pilot for MTV that wasn't picked up.[10] He became a regular cast member on the ABC Family series Jane by Design, playing Nick Fadden.[11] After the cancellation of Jane by Design, Atkinson had a recurring role as Zach on Parenthood, playing the role from 2013 to 2015.[12][13] He guest starred on Newsreaders in 2014.[3]

Atkinson was cast as Austin Travers on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless in March 2014. The role was initially recurring, but he was soon put on contract. His first airdate was April 17, 2014.[14][15] The character was killed off in February 2015, but Atkinson continued to appear in flashbacks, last airing August 13, 2015.[16] He guest starred on The Middle and Young & Hungry in 2015.[7][8] He appeared in the short films Happily Ever After and All In.[3]

In 2016, Atkinson appeared in the Lifetime movie Inspired to Kill.[4] In 2017, he starred in the TV movie Sisters of the Groom.[17] Atkinson guest starred on Powerless. He also had a recurring role on NCIS: Los Angeles.[8] Atkinson played Josh in the film Eruption: LA in 2018.[18]

Atkinson joined the cast of the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful as Thomas Forrester. His first airdate was March 14, 2019. The role had previously been played by Pierson Fodé, who left the show in 2018.[19][20] Atkinson played Griff Shores in the Lifetime movie Psycho Party Planner in 2020.[21] He had a recurring role on Everyone is Doing Great in 2021.[22]

Personal life

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Atkinson plays both acoustic and electric guitar. He has also played the saxophone, piano, xylophone, and drums, but mostly considers himself to be a guitarist.[2]

He has run marathons in Chicago, Big Sur, and Atlanta.[5]

Atkinson met actress Brytnee Ratledge at the gym and they later reconnected on social media. They were married in Lake Tahoe on November 8, 2023.[23] In July 2024, they announced that they are expecting their first child.[24]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2009 The Blind Side Valet Parker
3 1/2 Secret Service No.1 Short film
2010 Why You Goin' Out with My Sister? Alex Short film
2015 Happily Ever After Jake Ryan Short film
2016 All In Tommy Short film
2018 Eruption: LA Josh

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2009 One Tree Hill Nathan Actor Episode: "Screenwriter's Blues"
Drop Dead Diva Kyle Nevins Episode: "The 'F' Word"
2010 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Barry Episode: "Fracked"
2012 Jane by Design Nick Fadden Series regular;

18 episodes

2013 Hot Mess Nick Jones Unaired pilot
2013–2015 Parenthood Zach 8 episodes
2014–2015 The Young and the Restless Austin Travers Series regular: April 17, 2014 – August 12, 2015
2014 Newsreaders Zack Frost Episode: "The Journey of an iPhone; Restaurant Plague"
2015 The Middle Finn Episode: "Flirting with Disaster"
Young & Hungry Jason Episode: "Young & Earthquake"
2016 Sisters of the Groom Ben Reynolds Television film
2017–2018 NCIS: Los Angeles Keith Stiger 2 episodes
2017 Inspired to Kill Jason Television film
Powerless Alex / Olympian Episode: "Sinking Day"
2019–2024 The Bold and the Beautiful Thomas Forrester Series regular
2020 Psycho Party Planner Griff Shores Television film
2021 Everyone is Doing Great Jaxson "Jax" Bridger 3 episodes

Web series

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Year Title Role Notes
2012 Fletcher Drive The Perfect Boyfriend Episode: "The Perfect Boyfriend"

References

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  1. ^ Waldo, Garren (December 27, 2023). "The Bold and the Beautiful's Matthew Atkinson Celebrates His Birthday". Soap Hub. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "TBT Matthew Atkinson". Soap Opera Digest. December 22, 2022. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e "About the Actors: Matthew Atkinson". Soap Central. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "ICYMI: Matthew Atkinson Interview". Soap Opera Digest. June 25, 2019. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Actor Profile: Matthew Atkinson". Soaps.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  6. ^ "The Blind Side - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "CBS Biography: Matthew Atkinson". CBS.com. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c "Credits: Matthew Atkinson". TV Guide. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  9. ^ "Matthew Atkinson Biography". Soap Hub. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  10. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 15, 2012). "MTV Casts New Lauren Iungerich Pilot". Deadline. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  11. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (13 April 2011). "It's Official: ABC Family Picks Up 'Jane By Design' To Series". Deadline. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  12. ^ Ausiello, Michael (12 August 2013). "Parenthood Exclusive: Jane By Design Hottie Fashions a Friendship with Amber". TVLine. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  13. ^ "'Parenthood': Matthew Atkinson Will Join Season 5 In Multi-Episode Arc With Amber". huffpost.com. HuffPost. 2013-08-13. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  14. ^ Kroll, Dan J. (March 9, 2014). "Y&R casts new recurring role Austin". Soap Central. Archived from the original on June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  15. ^ Kroll, Dan J. (September 26, 2014). "Matthew Atkinson boosted to contract status". Soap Central. Archived from the original on June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  16. ^ "Who's Who in Genoa City: Austin Travers". Soap Central. Archived from the original on June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  17. ^ "Sisters of the Groom - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  18. ^ "Eruption: LA - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  19. ^ SOD (11 February 2019). "Exclusive! Y&R Alum Is B&B's New Thomas". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Odyssey Magazine Publishing Group Inc. Archived from the original on February 11, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  20. ^ Eades, Chris (2019-02-11). "The Bold & The Beautiful Casts Matthew Atkinson as the New Thomas". Soaps In Depth. Archived from the original on 2019-03-26. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  21. ^ Mistretta, Amy (January 7, 2020). "Matthew Atkinson's Lifetime Thriller 'Psycho Party Planner' Air Date". soaps.sheknows.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  22. ^ Clifford, Kambra (December 28, 2020). "The Bold and the Beautiful's Matthew Atkinson joins Hulu comedy". Soap Central. Archived from the original on June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  23. ^ Walcott, Escher (December 8, 2023). "The Bold and the Beautiful Star Matthew Atkinson Marries Brytnee Ratledge in 'Fairytale' Wedding (Exclusive)". People.com. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  24. ^ Levinsky, Mara (July 24, 2024). "Bold & Beautiful's Matthew Atkinson (Thomas) Is Expecting His First Child!". Soap Opera Digest. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
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