Actor and comedian Aisling Bea has led tributes to Twin Peaks: The Return star Owain Rhys Davies, who has died at the age of 44. His heartbroken family announced his death in a statement, saying he passed away "suddenly" last week.
Known for playing Agent Wilson in Twin Peaks: The Return, the actor also featured in the 2016 film Alice Through The Looking Glass, the 2017 Disney rom-com The Relationtrip, and the 2019 horror film A Serial Killer’s Guide to Life.
Taking to Instagram in the aftermath of Davies' passing, Bea shared a sweet carousel on Instagram, remembering the late star as "a brilliant actor, dancer, friend & uncle".
"Our beautiful friend Owain Rhys Davies has passed away. A big glittering Welsh ball of light and fun and high kicks and a million memories of our halcyon days roaming West Hollywood in our early thirties drinking and dreaming and dancing. A brilliant actor, dancer, friend & uncle," Bea wrote.
"It is so terribly sad. He was and is so incredibly loved. Cysgu’n dda, cariad. xxx"
The Great star Charity Wakefield, who worked with Owain in A Serial Killer’s Guide to Life and is a frequent collaborator, also shared a heartfelt post on Instagram.
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Sharing a touching image of the two of them dancing, she captioned the post: "Owain Rhys Davies. You were one in a million. I can’t put my words together yet but here’s how you made me feel."
Owain's brother Rhodri confirmed the sad news in a statement shared on Instagram, writing: "It is with profound sadness that my father and I share the news that my brother, Owain, has passed away.
"This news will come as a great shock to many. While there are still questions that remain unanswered regarding the circumstances of his death, our understanding at this stage is that Owain passed suddenly, naturally, and peacefully.
"The reach of Owain’s love, friendship, and generosity was vast. The outpouring of messages we have received over the past few days has been deeply moving and a testament to the impact he had on so many lives."
His brother noted the "family-like bonds" that Owain built with "his closest friends, colleagues, and loved ones", saying his loss "will be felt by a great many people".
The statement continues: "We will try and share further information in due course as we learn more and begin making arrangements. In the meantime, we kindly ask for some privacy as we come to terms with this devastating loss and support one another through the days ahead."
It concludes: "Thank you for your kindness, your messages, and for keeping Owain in your thoughts."
Taking to the comment section, many of Owain's former co-stars shared their condolences, with Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt writing: "No words seem to convey my emotions. I am so sorry for your loss and the grief you must be feeling.
"I am devastated to lose our beautiful friend, he was more than a friend, he was joy and life and talent and kindness and fun and intelligence.
"He was everything and my brain can’t compute that we don’t get to hug him again. What I would give for one more hug. You’re forever in our hearts cariad."
Coronation Street star Natalia Anderson commented: "Sending you and your Dad so much love and strength. Our beautiful, kind Owain."
"So sorry he is gone and for yours and your Dad’s loss," wrote Ruth Connell. "And all of ours too….It’s a true testament to the glorious, one of a kind soul that he was - seeing all the beautiful comments here."
Reporter, Digital Spy
Harriet is a freelance news writer specialising in TV and movies at Digital Spy.
A horror enthusiast, she joined Digital Spy after working on her own horror website, reviewing films and focusing largely on feminism in the genre.
In her spare time, Harriet paints and produces mixed-media art. She graduated from the University of Kingston with a BA in fine art, where she specialised in painting. She also has an MA in journalism from Birkbeck University.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
