Irish-born actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who plays King Henry VIII in the new Showtime series "The Tudors," has sought out help for a drinking problem.

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Rhys Meyers' publicist, Meredith O'Sullivan, issued a statement Tuesday saying that, after a "non-stop succession of filming," Rhys Meyers, transplanted to New York, has entered an alcohol treatment program, People magazine reported.

"He felt a break was needed to maintain his recovery," she said. "Jonathan plans to resume his schedule following completion."

Rhys Meyers, 29, costarred with Scarlett Johansson in Woody Allen's "Match Point" last year and recently completed the drama "August Rush" with Keri Russell, Terrence Howard and Robin Williams.