Brian Gleeson (/ˈbrən/ BREE-ən; born 14 November 1987) is an Irish actor. He was nominated for an Irish Film and Television Awards for the television series Love/Hate. He has appeared in Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), Assassin's Creed (2016), and had regular roles in The Bisexual (2018), Resistance and Peaky Blinders (2019), Frank of Ireland (2021), and Bad Sisters in 2022.

Brian Gleeson
Gleeson in 2013
Born (1987-11-14) 14 November 1987 (age 36)
NationalityIrish
Other namesBreen Gleeson
Alma materGaiety's Youth Theatre Company
OccupationActor
Years active2006–present
Parent
RelativesDomhnall Gleeson (brother)

Early life edit

Gleeson was born in Dublin, the son of actor Brendan Gleeson and his wife Mary Weldon. He has three brothers: Domhnall (also an actor), Fergus, and Rory.[1][2] He grew up in Malahide, Dublin.[1] As a child, he appeared in school plays, before joining the Gaiety's Youth Theatre Company.[3]

Career edit

Gleeson started acting in 2006, first appearing alongside his father in The Tiger's Tail directed by John Boorman, which was filmed the year he completed the Leaving Certificate.[1][3] In 2010, Gleeson appeared as Hughie in the first season of Love/Hate, and earned a nomination for an Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Television) for the role.[4] He also appeared in the Hollywood film The Eagle. He appeared in the 2012 film Snow White and the Huntsman.[1] Gleeson portrayed the lead role in Standby opposite Jessica Paré in 2014.[1] The same year, he filmed Tiger Raid, based on the Iraq War, in Jordan;[3] it was released in 2016. Along with his father Brendan and brother Domhnall, Gleeson appeared in the Enda Walsh play The Walworth Farce in early 2015.[1] He starred as Jimmy in the 2016 Irish drama series Rebellion, based on the 1916 Easter Rising.[1]

In 2019, Gleeson starred as Jimmy McCavern in Peaky Blinders, although criticized for his version of a Glaswegian accent, deemed acceptable due to his quality acting performance.[5]

Filmography edit

Film performances
Year Title Role Notes
2006 The Tiger's Tail Connor O'Leary
2009 What Will Survive of Us John Short
2010 Noreen Frank Sheehan Short
2010 Wake Wood Martin O'Shea
2011 The Eagle Traveller #1
2012 Snow White and the Huntsman Gus
2013 Coda Short; voice role
2013 How to Be Happy Cormac
2013 Life's a Breeze Hawk Man
2013 The Stag Simon
2013 Stay Liam Meehan
2014 Darkness on the Edge of Town Virgil O'Riley
2014 Serious Swimmers Justin Short
2014 Standby Alan
2015 Black River
2016 Tiger Raid Joe
2016 History's Future Driver
2016 Assassin's Creed Joseph Lynch (young) [1]
2017 Logan Lucky Sam Bang
2017 Mother! younger brother
2017 Phantom Thread Dr. Robert Hardy
2019 Hellboy Merlin
2020 Death of a Ladies' Man Ben O'Shea
Television performances
Year Title Role Notes
2007 Trouble in Paradise Randy Little 2 episodes
2007–2009 Single-Handed Cathal 7 episodes
2010 Love/Hate Hughie Power / Hughie 4 episodes
2011 Primeval Ray Lennon 1 episode
2012 Immaturity for Charity Various Television movie
2014 Quirke Sinclair 3 episodes
2015 Stonemouth Powell Imrie 2 episodes
2016 Rebellion Jimmy Mahon 5 episodes
2018 Taken Down Wayne Deevy 6 episodes
2018 The Bisexual Gabe 6 episodes
2019 Resistance Jimmy Mahon 5 episodes
2019 Peaky Blinders Jimmy McCavern Series 5
2021 Frank of Ireland Frank Marron 6 episodes
2022 The Lazarus Project Ross
2022 Bad Sisters Thomas Claffin
2023 The Mandalorian Brendol Hux Episode: "Chapter 23: The Spies"
2023 Top Boy Tadgh Netflix

Awards and nominations edit

Year Award Category Result Work
2011 Irish Film and Television Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Television Nominated Love/Hate[4]
2021 Irish Film and Television Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Film Nominated Death of a Ladies' Man
2022 Peabody Award Entertainment Won Bad Sisters

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Meager, John (3 January 2016). "Rising to the challenge - actor Brian Gleeson". independent.ie. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  2. ^ White, Hilary (29 January 2017). "Stepping out of the shadows... Rory Gleeson". Irish Independent.
  3. ^ a b c White, Hilary A. (24 November 2014). "Cinema: Standby for takeoff with actor Brian Gleeson". independent.ie. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  4. ^ a b "WINNERS OF THE 8TH ANNUAL IRISH FILM & TELEVISION AWARDS". Irish Film and Television Academy. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  5. ^ McLean, David (28 August 2019). "Scots Peaky Blinders viewers cringe at 'brutal' Glaswegian accent". scotsman.com.

External links edit