After 'The Tudors,' Jonathan Rhys Meyers continues to fight addiction and his salary is at stake with new series 'Dracula'

By Nicole Oran (nicole.oran@gmail.com) | Nov 13, 2013 07:09 PM EST

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Jonathan Rhys Meyers, 36, star of NBC's show Dracula and previous lead in Showtime's The Tudors as King Henry VIII continues to struggle with addiction and is paying the price, literally.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the network withheld a substantial part of Rhys Meyers' compensation, estimated at $100,000 an episode, until filming was finished as an incentive for the Irish actor to avoid substance abuse issues that could jeopardize the show's fruition.

Dracula started off strong when it premiered on Oct. 25 with 5.3 million total viewers. Since then, the show has lost ratings, but use of DVR for the show projects that ratings will continue to rise.

NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt initially recruited Rhys Meyers to play the role of Dracula for the series after serving a previous position as president of entertainment at Showtime, which featured the double Golden Globe nominated actor in The Tudors.

THR reports:

"Greenblatt is abundantly familiar with the actor's personal issues, which include several stints in rehab and alcohol-related detainments at airports in Dublin, Paris and New York. According to sources, the star's problems recurred while filming Dracula when, following a meltdown, he returned to London and quietly was hospitalized for a short time. Sources say Rhys Meyers, who required a sober companion to accompany him on set, returned to rehab as soon as filming was completed. NBC declined comment on the situation. A source close to Rhys Meyers observes that the show is doing well, adding, 'Jonathan's in a really good place, and he's healthy.'"

The financial incentive from NBC is to require Rhys Meyers to complete filming all 10 episodes of the series in Budapest this summer.

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