Ruaridh Silvio James MacGillivray-Mollica (born 14 October) is a Scottish-Italian actor, writer, and director. He starred in the film Sebastian (2024). On television, he appeared in the Channel 5 series Witness Number 3 and the BBC Three series Red Rose (both 2022).
Ruaridh Mollica | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ruaridh Silvio James MacGillivray-Mollica 14 October Prato, Italy |
| Alma mater | Heriot-Watt University |
| Years active | 2013–present |
Early life and education edit
Mollica was born in Prato, Italy to a Scottish mother and an Italian father.[1] Mollica attended Broughton High School in Edinburgh.[2] He joined the Strange Town youth theatre company, where he met his agent Ruth Hollyman.[3] Mollica graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Heriot-Watt University in 2021.[4] During his time at university, he participated in snowsports.[5] He intended to do a Masters degree in Cybersecurity at a London university, but declined the offer when he was cast in Red Rose.[1]
Career edit
Mollica began his career as a child actor, making his television debut aged 12 in an episode of the BBC One series Case Histories with Jason Isaacs and Mark Bonnar and his feature film debut as a background dancer in the Sunshine on Leith adaptation. He worked on-and-off for a number of years,[1] appearing in the 2015 drama Stonemouth as a young version of Christian Cooke's character[6] and the 2018 romance film Tell It to the Bees.
During his final year at university,[1] Mollica returned to acting when his Strange Town agent Ruth Hollyman got him the lead role opposite Joshua Griffin in Sean Lionadh's 2022 short film Too Rough,[7] which won a Scottish BAFTA. He then landed his first recurring television role as Patrick Hume in the BBC Three horror series Red Rose, which Mollica declined his postgraduate university place to film, and his first main role in the Channel 5 series Witness Number 3.[8] He also appeared in Wasted at the Jack Studio Theatre.[9]
In 2024, Mollica starred as the lead character Max in Mikko Mäkelä's sophomore feature Sebastian, which opened at the Sundance Film Festival.[10] Mollica also played a young version of Stephen Moyer's character Teddy in the Paramount+ series Sexy Beast. He has an upcoming role in the film Sukkwan Island.[11]
Personal life edit
Regarding his sexuality, in a February 2024 interview with Queerty, Mollica said, "it was only when I moved to London and had the ability to be myself that I realised, Oh actually, no, I like men as well."[12]
Filmography edit
Film edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Sunshine on Leith | Dancer | |
| 2018 | Tell It to the Bees | Rose Attacker | |
| 2022 | Too Rough | Nick | Short film |
| 2022 | The Doomsday Clock | The Reader | Short film; director, writer |
| 2023 | Boys on Film: Dangerous to Know | Nick | |
| 2024 | Sebastian | Max | |
| TBA | Sukkwan Island |
Television edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Case Histories | Freddie Marshall | Episode: "Nobody's Darling" |
| 2015 | Stonemouth | Young Stewart | Part 1 |
| 2022 | Witness Number 3 | Po | Main role |
| 2022 | Red Rose | Patrick Hume | 5 episodes |
| 2024 | Sexy Beast | Young Teddy Bass | |
| TBA | The Jetty | Troy | |
| TBA | The Franchise | ||
| TBA | Ridley | Ryan Stanford | Series 2 |
Music videos edit
- "Easter Road" (2020), Callum Beattie
References edit
- ^ a b c d Bamigboye, Baz (19 January 2024). "Breaking Baz: Scottish-Italian Newcomer Ruaridh Mollica On His Breakthrough Performance In Mikko Makela's Sundance-Bound 'Sebastian'". Deadline. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "Drama Students' Scripts Performed at Traverse". Broughton High School, Edinburgh. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ "Ruaridh Mollica". Strange Town Agency. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ "Congratulations class of 2021: Heriot-Watt University". The Herald. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ "Volunteer Awards 20/21". HWU Sports Union. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ Dibdin, Thom (8 June 2015). "Strange Town Nights". All Edinburgh Theatre. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ Orenstein, Eitan (26 March 2023). "In Conversation With Ruaridh Mollica". The Student. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ Palmer, Katie (20 July 2022). "Witness Number 3 cast: Who is in the Channel 5 series?". Daily Express. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ Chandra, Rika (25 November 2022). "Review: Wasted, Jack Studio". Everything Theatre. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ Avella, Frank J. (23 January 2024). "Sundance: Director Mikko Mäkelä, Star Ruaridh Mollica On Their Bold New Queer-Themed Film 'Sebastian'". AwardsDaily. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "Swann Arlaud, Woody Norman, Ruaridh Mollica and Alma Pöysti to Star in 'Sukkwan Island' Film Adaptation From Haut Et Court (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ Scheetz, Cameron (1 February 2024). "Ruaridh Mollica says sex worker drama 'Sebastian' helped him understand his queerness". Queerty. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
External links edit
- Ruaridh Mollica at IMDb
- Ruaridh Mollica at Spotlight