We all know Michael Fassbender and Liam Neeson, but there’s plenty of other Irish actors whose work shouldn’t be missed!
You have the Jamie Dornans who’ve recently blasted into mainstream fame, and the Kenneth Branaghs who’ve been around for a long time. You’ve the Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Liam Neesons, whose names are synonymous with a particular film (you were thinking Bend it Like Beckham and Taken, weren’t you?). Colin Farrell’s been in so many things you just can’t pick one, and Andrew Scott will always and forever be your Moriarty.
There are so many Irish actors with impressive resumes, but here are 10 of the lesser known ones that you should check out this St Patrick’s Day!
Sarah Bolger
What you know her from:
Don’t be sleeping on her! You should already know Sarah as Princess Aurora on Once Upon a Time.
What you should see her in:
Hypable readers might be interested in seeing Sarah in The Spiderwick Chronicles, a children’s film based on children’s books. It’s a darker fantasy story than the usual kiddie fare, but still charming and fun.
What she has coming up:
Catch Sarah on season 2 of Into the Badlands, which starts airing March 19!
Domhnall Gleeson
What you know him from:
Domhnall is really starting to make a name for himself, going from, “He looks familiar…” to, “That guy from that movie!” in just a couple of years. It’s a safe bet that you first saw him in Harry Potter as Bill Weasley, but there’s many other films you’ll remember him from too, such as About Time, Frank, The Revenant, Never Let Me Go, and Anna Karenina, just to name a few.
What you should see him in:
My personal favorite of his films is Ex Machina, with Alicia Vikander and Oscar Isaac, but another worthy watch is Calvary, starring Domhnall’s father, the esteemed Brendon Gleeson.
What he has coming up:
Most of you are probably just interested in the next Star Wars, let’s be honest.
Allen Leech
What you know him from:
Yeah yeah, Matthew and Mary were couple goals, but the true romance of Downton Abbey was definitely Sybil and Tom. He was the charming Irishman who won her feisty heart. Not to mention they were the tragic romance before Mary and Matthew, but maybe that isn’t something to brag about.
What you should see him in:
You should definitely see Allen in The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Perhaps, after watching the first time, you’ll even want to watch it again, and play closer attention to Allen. But I say no more.
What he has coming up:
Allen is currently starring in Bellevue alongside True Blood‘s Anna Paquin. Bellevue follows Paquin’s Detective Annie Ryder as she tries to solve the mystery of a disappearing transgender teen.
Katie McGrath
What you know her from:
Katie played the good guy turned bad guy, brushed hair turned lost-in-woods hair Morgana in Merlin. Honestly, has a villain ever looked more fierce?
What you should see her in:
If you want Katie back on your screen again weekly (and why wouldn’t you?), catch her on Supergirl, as Lex Luthor’s sister Lena. I hear she has quite the relationship with Kara.
What she has coming up:
Not straying too far from what she knows, Katie can be seen in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword this summer. Lots of familiar faces in this adaptation, including fellow Irishman Aidan Gillen, aka Petyr Baelish, aka Littlefinger.
Colin Morgan
What you know him from:
Why are you even on this site if you don’t know that Colin is Merlin on Merlin? If you’re not here to cry with the rest of us, get out. We don’t need to be around your ignorant bliss. Just let us be miserable.
What you should see him in:
If you’re in the mood for a movie that will completely wreck you, watch Testament of Youth. Seriously, this movie is amazing, but you will want to rip your heart out afterwards. It also has all your favorites in it, including Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, and Taron Egerton.
What he has coming up:
Humans is currently airing it’s second season on AMC. If you’re a sci-fi fan, you should definitely check it out. In an alternate version of our present day, robotic slaves start becoming sentient, and naturally, things don’t go smoothly after that.
Cillian Murphy
What you know him from:
Cillian is probably the most well-known actor on this list, and you all probably know him from something different. He first caught my eye in Red Eye.
What you should see him in:
There are a plethora of things you should see Cillian in, but if you want something more lasting than a film, watch Peaky Blinders. It’s about Birmingham gangsters in the 1920s, and it has all the drama and grit you could ask for, not to mention a stellar performance from Cillian as the intimidating not-so-good guy Thomas Shelby, who you can’t help but root for.
What he has coming up:
No stranger to Christopher Nolan films, Cillian can be seen next in Dunkirk, releasing this summer. It takes place during the Battle of France in World War II, so look forward to seeing Nolan’s take on a war film.
Ruth Negga
What you know her from:
Hypable readers probably know her from Agents of SHIELD. Although, depending on when you started watching, you may not recognize her. Ruth played Raina, the spikey Inhuman scientist who worked for HYDRA.
What you should see her in:
Last year Ruth earned an Oscar nomination for her moving performance in Loving. It’s a timely narrative that doesn’t bash you over the head with politics and morals, instead letting Ruth and costar Joel Edgerton shine in touching performances.
What she has coming up:
Season 2 of Preacher begins airing June 19. Ruth plays Tulip, the badass with a heart, the small but mighty, the rose with a thorn. If you’re looking for a show with an awesome female lead, look no further! Also her style is so on point.
Saoirse Ronan
What you know her from:
You know this Irish actress from the very Irish film Brooklyn. Saoirse and the film were both nominated for an Academy Award in 2016. The film also features another name on this list. Can you guess who?
What you should see her in:
Hanna was a different role for Saoirse, playing the daughter of an ex-CIA agent being raised in the woods. The action sequences in this film are phenomenal, and with a score composed by the Chemical Brothers, you know you’re in for a treat.
What she has coming up:
Loving Vincent tells the story of Vincent Van Gogh, and stars another actor on this list, Aidan Turner.
Emmett J. Scanlan
What you know him from:
Check out In the Flesh if you haven’t already. It’s the most human, emotional take on zombies I’ve ever seen. Interesting, sympathetic characters of various gender and sexuality, In the Flesh shows that zombie culture can be about more than just killing the undead.
What you should see him in:
Not only do you get to see Emmett on The Fall, you also get watch Gillian Anderson chase down Jamie Dornan, and who doesn’t want to see that? Oh, and let’s not forget about the now-cancelled Constantine, starring Matt Rayan. Emmett has a small role in the short series, but he makes an impression.
What he has coming up:
Emmett has two films on the way, The Jester from Transylvania and Missing in Europe, so keep an eye out!
Aidan Turner
What you know him from:
You know Aidan as one of the hot dwarves from The Hobbit. He was one half of the Kili/Tauriel ship.
What you should see him in:
Aside from the fact that And Then There Were None is worth a watch simply for being a fantastic adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel, it’s also great for Aidan Turner fans. His character, Philip Lombard, is enticingly dark and broody. He also just looks really good.
What he has coming up:
I hear Poldark is pretty good. I mean, it only won the popular vote among viewers at the BAFTA TV awards. No big deal. If you’re into watching a show that’s good enough for everyone else, I guess you should check out season 3 when it airs later this year.
Who’s your favorite Irish actor?
Happy St. Paddy’s Day!