British actor Adam Rayner is set to descend upon the Romford Horror Festival 2026, bringing a touch of prestige and high-stakes villainy to the four-day celebration of the macabre. Known for his striking screen presence and an ability to balance suave charm with chilling intensity, Rayner has built a versatile career that spans everything from Shakespearean theater to the sprawling universes of DC Comics. His appearance at Romford marks a thrilling opportunity for fans to meet one of the most compelling antagonists in modern genre television.

While many audiences recognize Rayner as the charismatic yet lethal Tal-Rho in Superman & Lois, horror aficionados have long followed his trajectory through the darker corners of cinema. In the 2011 film The Task, he played Taylor, navigating the claustrophobic and terrifying environment of an abandoned prison turned reality TV set—a role that showcased his ability to anchor a high-tension ensemble. Earlier in his career, he appeared in the gritty thriller Steel Trap, further cementing his credentials in the world of independent genre filmmaking. His filmography is a testament to his range, often playing characters who are pushed to their absolute limits in the face of psychological or physical dread.

Rayner’s performance in Superman & Lois as Morgan Edge/Tal-Rho serves as a masterclass in how to play a villain with depth. By infusing the Kryptonian conqueror with a sense of tragic isolation and misplaced familial yearning, he elevated the character beyond a simple comic book foil. This nuance is a hallmark of Rayner’s work; he rarely plays a monster as just a monster, instead finding the human—or alien—frailty that makes their actions all the more unsettling. Whether he is portraying a doctor in the medical drama Hawthorne or the lead in the political thriller Tyrant, he carries a grounded authenticity that translates perfectly to the high-stakes world of horror.

Beyond the autographs and photo opportunities, Rayner’s presence at the  provides a unique bridge between big-budget superhero drama and the visceral roots of horror. His involvement in the 2025 Midsomer Murders episode "Lawn of the Dead" proves he is never far from a good mystery or a grisly plot twist.