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Tom Blyth’s Journey to Netflix Stardom
British actor Tom Blyth is set to make his Netflix debut in the romantic comedy People We Meet on Vacation, which will be available on January 9. The 30-year-old actor takes on the role of Alex, a reserved high school teacher who spends his summers traveling with his easygoing friend Poppy (Emily Bader). Their friendship faces a major challenge when they fall out, forcing them to confront their feelings for each other on one final vacation.
Blyth expressed excitement about starring in a romcom, calling it a chance to do something “light and fun, and a bit sexy.” He shared this sentiment in an interview with People in January, noting that he had been focusing on serious films recently and was eager for a change. His recent work includes appearances in dramas and thrillers such as The Fence, Wasteman, and Plainclothes. However, he may be most recognized for his role as Coriolanus Snow in the 2023 film The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbird & Snakes.
A Childhood Fueled by Passion
Blyth discovered his love for acting at a young age. Growing up in the suburbs of Nottingham, England, he often spent time with his father, TV producer Gavin Blyth, watching movies during their monthly visits. This early exposure sparked his interest in filmmaking. As a child, he would create his own short films with friends, using whatever editing software was available on Windows computers.
His passion deepened after the tragic loss of his father, who died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma when Blyth was just 14 years old. This event pushed him to pursue acting, a dream he and his father had shared. A teacher at Nottingham’s Television Workshop encouraged him to channel his grief into his craft, which helped shape his approach to acting.
Training and Breakthroughs
After moving to London to join the National Youth Theatre, Blyth continued his training at Juilliard in New York City. In an interview with The Times in November 2023, he described how this experience helped him gain confidence in his abilities. “I knew I had good instincts for acting, but I couldn’t let go of my self-judgment,” he said. “It was a slow process of coming out of my shell.”
Following his graduation in 2020, Blyth appeared in the 2021 war drama Benediction. Two years later, he landed his breakout role as the titular character in the MGM+ series Billy the Kid, which ran for three seasons. His performance in the 2023 prequel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbird & Snakes marked his first major blockbuster.
Skills Beyond Acting
Blyth has also developed a range of physical skills, including horseback riding. During the production of Billy the Kid, he learned to ride in just three weeks and performed most of his own stunt work. “They let me ride, they let me fall off horses, they let me wrangle cattle—crazy stuff,” he recalled to People in October 2025.
In addition to his acting, Blyth uses music to get into character, especially for period pieces. “I’ll listen to the music of that time or try to immerse myself in the culture of that time,” he explained to Sharp. For Plainclothes, he created a playlist of 1990s music to help him connect with the era.
A Life Beyond the Spotlight
When not working on set, Blyth enjoys being outdoors. He spends time in upstate New York and is an avid surfer, having taken up the sport six years ago. Describing himself as an ambivert, he also enjoys reading, watching movies, and socializing with friends.
How to Watch People We Meet on Vacation
People We Meet on Vacation arrives on Netflix on January 9. Based on Emily Henry’s 2021 novel, the film stars Tom Blyth as Alex and Emily Bader as Poppy.
