Matthew Atkinson

{{Infobox person

| name = Matthew Atkinson

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|12|27}}

| birth_place = Marietta, Georgia, U.S.

| occupation = Actor

| birth_name = John Matthew Atkinson

| years_active = 2009–present

| spouse = Brytnee Ratledge (m. 2023)

}}

John Matthew Atkinson (born December 27, 1988){{Cite web |last=Waldo |first=Garren |date=December 27, 2023 |title=The Bold and the Beautiful’s Matthew Atkinson Celebrates His Birthday |url=https://soaphub.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/the-bold-and-the-beautiful-news/the-bold-and-the-beautifuls-matthew-atkinson-celebrates-his-birthday/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228030711/https://soaphub.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/the-bold-and-the-beautiful-news/the-bold-and-the-beautifuls-matthew-atkinson-celebrates-his-birthday/ |archive-date=December 28, 2023 |access-date=June 26, 2024 |website=Soap Hub}} 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).

Early life

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.{{Cite web |date=December 22, 2022 |title=TBT Matthew Atkinson |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/tbt-matthew-atkinson2/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229210212/https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/tbt-matthew-atkinson2/ |archive-date=December 29, 2022 |access-date=June 26, 2024 |website=Soap Opera Digest}}{{Cite web |title=About the Actors: Matthew Atkinson |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/theactors/atkinson_matthew.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015223316/https://www.soapcentral.com/theactors/atkinson_matthew.php |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |access-date=June 26, 2024 |website=Soap Central}} While growing up, he was a skateboarder and he played baseball. He became involved in theater while he was in high school. After graduation, he moved to Atlanta to take college courses. He eventually decided to move to Los Angeles and pursue acting. Atkinson is of Native American and Irish descent.{{Cite web |title=Actor Profile: Matthew Atkinson |url=https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/actors/matthew-atkinson/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207164626/https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/actors/matthew-atkinson/ |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |access-date=June 26, 2024 |website=Soaps.com}}

Career

Atkinson made his film debut in The Blind Side (2009).{{Cite web |title=The Blind Side - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-blind-side/cast/2000283209/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527100051/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-blind-side/cast/2000283209/ |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=TV Guide}} He guest starred on One Tree Hill, Drop Dead Diva, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.{{Cite web |title=CBS Biography: Matthew Atkinson |url=https://www.cbs.com/shows/the_bold_and_the_beautiful/cast/216166/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507022310/https://www.cbs.com/shows/the_bold_and_the_beautiful/cast/216166/ |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=CBS.com}}{{Cite web |title=Credits: Matthew Atkinson |url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/matthew-atkinson/credits/3030573654/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124095634/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/matthew-atkinson/credits/3030573654/ |archive-date=January 24, 2021 |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=TV Guide}} He appeared in the short films 3 1/2 and Why You Goin' Out With My Sister?

In 2012, Atkinson guest starred on the web series Fletcher Drive.{{Cite web |title=Matthew Atkinson Biography |url=https://soaphub.com/actors/matthew-atkinson/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211031039/https://soaphub.com/actors/matthew-atkinson/ |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=Soap Hub}} He joined the cast of Hot Mess, a pilot for MTV that wasn't picked up.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=November 15, 2012 |title=MTV Casts New Lauren Iungerich Pilot |url=https://deadline.com/2012/11/mtv-casts-new-lauren-iungerich-pilot-372417/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023071416/https://deadline.com/2012/11/mtv-casts-new-lauren-iungerich-pilot-372417/ |archive-date=October 23, 2022 |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=Deadline}} He became a regular cast member on the ABC Family series Jane by Design, playing Nick Fadden.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |date=13 April 2011 |title=It's Official: ABC Family Picks Up 'Jane By Design' To Series |url=https://deadline.com/2011/04/its-official-abc-family-picks-up-jane-by-design-to-series-122316/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921142442/https://deadline.com/2011/04/its-official-abc-family-picks-up-jane-by-design-to-series-122316/ |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |access-date=2 May 2021 |website=Deadline}} After the cancellation of Jane by Design, Atkinson had a recurring role as Zach on Parenthood, playing the role from 2013 to 2015.{{cite web |last1=Ausiello |first1=Michael |date=12 August 2013 |title=Parenthood Exclusive: Jane By Design Hottie Fashions a Friendship with Amber |url=https://tvline.com/2013/08/12/parenthood-matthew-atkinson-season-5-zach-amber/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628060957/https://tvline.com/2013/08/12/parenthood-matthew-atkinson-season-5-zach-amber/ |archive-date=June 28, 2022 |access-date=2 May 2021 |website=TVLine}}{{Cite web |date=2013-08-13 |title='Parenthood': Matthew Atkinson Will Join Season 5 In Multi-Episode Arc With Amber |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/parenthood-matthew-atkinson-season-5_n_3746852 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417092357/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/parenthood-matthew-atkinson-season-5_n_3746852 |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |access-date=2019-04-19 |website=huffpost.com |publisher=HuffPost}} He guest starred on Newsreaders in 2014.

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.{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Dan J. |date=March 9, 2014 |title=Y&R casts new recurring role Austin |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/young-and-restless/news/2014/0321-atkinson.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626224430/https://www.soapcentral.com/young-and-restless/news/2014/0321-atkinson.php |archive-date=June 26, 2024 |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=Soap Central}}{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Dan J. |date=September 26, 2014 |title=Matthew Atkinson boosted to contract status |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/young-and-restless/news/2014/0926-atkinson.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626224432/https://www.soapcentral.com/young-and-restless/news/2014/0926-atkinson.php |archive-date=June 26, 2024 |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=Soap Central}} The character was killed off in February 2015, but Atkinson continued to appear in flashbacks, last airing August 13, 2015.{{Cite web |title=Who's Who in Genoa City: Austin Travers |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/young-and-restless/whoswho/austin.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626224431/https://www.soapcentral.com/young-and-restless/whoswho/austin.php |archive-date=June 26, 2024 |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=Soap Central}} He guest starred on The Middle and Young & Hungry in 2015. He appeared in the short films Happily Ever After and All In.

In 2016, Atkinson appeared in the Lifetime movie Inspired to Kill.{{Cite web |date=June 25, 2019 |title=ICYMI: Matthew Atkinson Interview |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/icymi-matthew-atkinson-interview-2/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526003128/https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/icymi-matthew-atkinson-interview-2/ |archive-date=May 26, 2023 |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=Soap Opera Digest}} In 2017, he starred in the TV movie Sisters of the Groom.{{Cite web |title=Sisters of the Groom - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/sisters-of-the-groom/cast/2030226542/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627180439/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/sisters-of-the-groom/cast/2030226542/ |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=TV Guide}} Atkinson guest starred on Powerless. He also had a recurring role on NCIS: Los Angeles. Atkinson played Josh in the film Eruption: LA in 2018.{{Cite web |title=Eruption: LA - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/eruption-la/cast/2030335359/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627181443/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/eruption-la/cast/2030335359/ |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=TV Guide}}

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.{{cite news |author=SOD |authorlink=Soap Opera Digest |title=Exclusive! Y&R Alum Is B&B's New Thomas |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/exclusive-yr-alum-is-bbs-new-thomas/ |access-date=February 11, 2019 |work=Soap Opera Digest |agency=Odyssey Magazine Publishing Group Inc. |publisher=American Media, Inc. |date=11 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211162226/https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/exclusive-yr-alum-is-bbs-new-thomas/ |archive-date=February 11, 2019|location=United States |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/cbs/the-bold-and-the-beautiful-matthew-atkinson-cast-thomas-forrester-169602 |title=The Bold & The Beautiful Casts Matthew Atkinson as the New Thomas |last=Eades |first=Chris |date=2019-02-11 |website=Soaps In Depth |access-date=2021-11-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326172854/https://www.cbs.soapsindepth.com/posts/the-bold-and-the-beautiful-matthew-atkinson-cast-thomas-forrester-169602 |archive-date=2019-03-26 |url-status=live }} He left the role in 2024. Atkinson played Griff Shores in the Lifetime movie Psycho Party Planner in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Mistretta |first=Amy |date=January 7, 2020 |title=Matthew Atkinson's Lifetime Thriller 'Psycho Party Planner' Air Date |url=https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/news/543439/bold-and-beautiful-matthew-atkinson-the-party-planner/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325135022/https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/news/543439/bold-and-beautiful-matthew-atkinson-the-party-planner/ |archive-date=March 25, 2023 |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=soaps.sheknows.com}} He had a recurring role on Everyone is Doing Great in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Clifford |first=Kambra |date=December 28, 2020 |title=The Bold and the Beautiful's Matthew Atkinson joins Hulu comedy |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/bold-and-beautiful/news/2020/1228-matthew_atkinson_hulu_everyone_is_doing_great.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626224430/https://www.soapcentral.com/bold-and-beautiful/news/2020/1228-matthew_atkinson_hulu_everyone_is_doing_great.php |archive-date=June 26, 2024 |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=Soap Central}}

Personal life

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.

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

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.{{Cite web |last=Walcott |first=Escher |date=December 8, 2023 |title=The Bold and the Beautiful Star Matthew Atkinson Marries Brytnee Ratledge in 'Fairytale' Wedding (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful-star-matthew-atkinson-wedding-exclusive-8410347 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605110319/https://people.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful-star-matthew-atkinson-wedding-exclusive-8410347 |archive-date=June 5, 2024 |access-date=June 26, 2024 |website=People.com}} In July 2024, they announced that they are expecting their first child.{{Cite web |last=Levinsky |first=Mara |date=July 24, 2024 |title=Bold & Beautiful's Matthew Atkinson (Thomas) Is Expecting His First Child! |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/bold-beautifuls-matthew-atkinson-thomas-is-expecting-his-first-child/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725022202/https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/bold-beautifuls-matthew-atkinson-thomas-is-expecting-his-first-child/ |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=Soap Opera Digest}}

Filmography

= Film =

class="wikitable"

!Year

!Title

!Role

!Notes

rowspan="2"|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 =

class="wikitable sortable" \|+
Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" \| Notes
rowspan="2"\|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"
rowspan="2"\|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
rowspan="2"\|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

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

rowspan="2"|2009

| One Tree Hill

| Nathan Actor

| Episode: "Screenwriter's Blues"

Drop Dead Diva

| Kyle Nevins

| Episode: "The 'F' Word"