If you’ve spent any time in the dark, binge-worthy corners of Netflix over the last few years, you’ve definitely seen Igby Rigney. He’s that actor who looks like he stepped out of a classic 90s coming-of-age movie but carries the heavy, soul-tired weight of someone much older. Honestly, it’s a weirdly specific vibe that has made him the ultimate "secret weapon" for directors who need a performance that feels both innocent and absolutely devastated.
By 2026, he’s no longer just "that kid from the Mike Flanagan shows." He’s a full-blown lead.
But where did he start, and why does every major horror producer have him on speed dial? Let's get into the projects that actually matter and why his career trajectory is looking so different from the typical young Hollywood path.
The Flanagan Era: Building a Horror Legend
Most people first met Igby on Crockett Island. In the 2021 masterpiece Midnight Mass, he played Warren Flynn. It wasn't the flashiest role—he was the younger brother, the altar boy, the kid trying to navigate a town that was literally and figuratively bleeding out. But there was a quietness to his performance that caught everyone’s attention.
Then came the big one. The Midnight Club (2022).
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He played Kevin, a teen living in a hospice for the terminally ill. It’s heavy stuff. While the show had its share of jump scares and "shadow people," the real horror was the leukemia. Igby had to play a guy who was dying but trying to stay "normal" for his friends. Mike Flanagan, the show’s creator, has basically called Igby a muse. It’s easy to see why. The guy can hit those emotional beats without making it feel like a soap opera.
He also popped up in The Fall of the House of Usher (2023) as Toby. If you blinked, you might have missed him compared to his screen time in The Midnight Club, but it solidified his place in the "Flanagan Repertory Company." Basically, if Mike is filming something, Igby is probably in the trailer next door.
Beyond the Jump Scares: Action and Drama
It’s a common mistake to think he only does horror. Actually, Igby has been sneaking into massive franchises for years.
- F9: The Fast Saga (2021): Did you know he was in a Fast & Furious movie? He played the young version of Jesse (the character originally played by Chad Lindberg in the first film) during those flashback sequences. It’s a small role, but it’s a weirdly cool bit of trivia.
- Joe Bell (2020): This was a huge learning moment for him. He played Chance, starring alongside Mark Wahlberg. It’s a gritty, sad movie about bullying and redemption.
- Double Down South (2022): He took a turn as "Little Nick" in this southern-fried billiards thriller. It showed he could handle a different kind of intensity—one that didn't involve ghosts or vampires.
What’s Happening in 2026?
If you're looking for Igby Rigney movies and tv shows right now, the biggest buzz is centered on The Shards.
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This is the Ryan Murphy-produced adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’s novel. Igby is playing the lead—a young Bret Easton Ellis. It’s a 1980s period piece set in Los Angeles involving a serial killer, prep school drama, and a whole lot of tension. It is arguably the most "adult" role he’s taken on yet. Working with Ryan Murphy is a massive shift from the Flanagan camp, and it's proving that he can hold his own in a high-gloss, prestige drama setting.
He’s also recently been seen in Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Scott Marcus. It’s a bit of a departure, seeing him in scrubs instead of a haunted hospice, but it’s helped him reach an entirely different audience.
Why He’s Not Your Average "Teen Star"
The thing about Igby is that he doesn't chase the "heartthrob" roles. He’s 25 now, but he still has that youthful look that allows him to play younger, yet he brings a "film history and psychology" background to his work (he actually studied those at Pace University).
He’s a self-proclaimed bookworm, too. He famously got obsessed with Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series because Flanagan kept talking about it on set. That kind of intellectual curiosity shows up in his acting. He isn't just hitting marks; he’s thinking about the subtext.
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A Quick Cheat Sheet of Roles
- The Lead Energy: The Midnight Club, The Shards.
- The Emotional Core: Midnight Mass, Joe Bell.
- The "Hey, I Know Him!" Cameos: F9, Blue Bloods (his first TV gig back in 2018), The Sex Lives of College Girls.
What to Watch First
If you're new to his work, don't start with the cameos. Start with Midnight Mass. It’s the best entry point to see how he handles a slow-burn narrative. If you want something more character-driven and don't mind a few tears, go for The Midnight Club.
Looking ahead, keep an eye on his move into more "writerly" or "indie" projects. There’s a rumor he’s looking to get behind the camera eventually, which wouldn't surprise anyone who has followed his interviews. He seems more interested in the craft of filmmaking than the red carpets.
If you want to stay updated on his career, the best move is to follow the production houses. He’s heavily tied to Intrepid Pictures (Flanagan’s company) and now Ryan Murphy Productions. Whenever they announce a new "ensemble" horror or dark drama, there's a 90% chance Igby’s name is on the call sheet.
Watch The Shards as soon as it hits your streaming service—it's likely going to be the performance that moves him from "rising star" to "household name."