Matthew Atkinson

John Matthew Atkinson (born December 27, 1988) 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 2025). He was also a regular cast member on the ABC Family series Jane by Design.

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. While growing up, he was a skateboarder and he played baseball. He became involved in theater while he was in high school.

Career

Atkinson made his film debut in The Blind Side (2009). He guest starred on One Tree Hill, Drop Dead Diva, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He appeared in the short films 3 1/2 and Why You Goin' Out With My Sister? He joined the cast of Hot Mess, a pilot for MTV that wasn't picked up. He became a regular cast member on the ABC Family series Jane by Design, playing Nick Fadden. After the cancellation of Jane by Design, Atkinson had a recurring role as Zach on Parenthood, playing the role from 2013 to 2015. He guest starred on Newsreaders in 2014. The character was killed off in February 2015, but Atkinson continued to appear in flashbacks, last airing August 13, 2015. He guest starred on The Middle and Young & Hungry in 2015. In 2017, he starred in the TV movie Sisters of the Groom. Atkinson guest starred on Powerless. He also had a recurring role on NCIS: Los Angeles.

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. Atkinson played Griff Shores in the Lifetime movie Psycho Party Planner in 2020. He had a recurring role on Everyone Is Doing Great in 2021.

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. In July 2024, they announced that they are expecting their first child. Their son was born in 2024. The couple announced on Instagram that they are expecting their second child, a daughter.

Filmography

Film

Television + Year Title Role Notes2009 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;

Web series