Celebrated for roles in Fleabag, Sherlock, All of Us Strangers and Ripley, now he’s taking on a role behind the camera …
How would you describe your childhood? Suburban and pretty wonderful. Happy.
Did you like school and did it have a big impact on you? I went to a school called Ardtona House School in Churchtown and then I went to Gonzaga College in Ranelagh. My mum was an art teacher and I was big into art and drama and the creative subjects. When I was about 17, I got a part in a movie, Korea, and after that, I liked school until I didn’t.
Were you a sporty kid? I played tennis, but I didn’t play rugby or anything like that. Gonzaga was a rugby school, but the arts were really big there too. I feel lucky that it had both.
What did you think you’d grow up to be? I always thought that I’d be an actor. I wanted to be an actor ever since I can remember and never thought seriously about being anything else. I suppose it’s what you call a passion, but I didn’t spend a huge amount of time thinking, “Well, what if I mess this up?” Any opportunity I had to do it, I was happy and grateful for.
What would you consider your breakthrough moment? When I was 18 or 19, I was working in the Abbey Theatre and got to play a few really good parts. I got to really learn about writing, and Irish writers, and it was such a great setting-off point. I’d already made Korea but I think working in the theatre, and particularly the Irish theatre, was incredibly influential for me.
What’s your biggest strength at work? I don’t really mind making a fool of myself. I don’t mind making mistakes. I don’t mind taking the risk. I think, who cares if you get it wrong? Just try a different way. And I think that’s what the whole fun of the job is.
What does it mean for you to work on the Redbreast Unhidden initiative, which supports independent filmmaking? This is the second year that I’ve been working with Redbreast, and the brand has this really cool incentive for uncovering young filmmakers. I just love the idea of partnering on it to find these short films, which are really hard to get right, but you can always almost immediately see if somebody’s got a real and singular voice.
“I don’t really mind making a fool of myself. I don’t mind making mistakes.”
What does it mean to you to executive produce the winning film? It’s really terrific. I think any producer just listens to what the artist might need. I’d definitely like to do more behind the camera. I’ve never been the kind of actor who just shows up to do the role. I always want an idea of the whole production.
You would like people to regard you as … Kind.
Your friendships are for the most part … Central to my life. I have friendships going way back to when I was eight years old, but one of the things that I really love about the industry I work in is that you make new friendships all the time. That is the bonus of the work. You meet people of completely different backgrounds and creeds and ages, and I love that this means my friendship group isn’t all one set type of people. That’s something I’m really proud of.
Where do you think of when you speak of home? Ireland, but one of the things that I have had to develop is how you can live in different places and think of them as home, too. I lived most of last year in New York, and I adored that. I also have a big relationship with London. But now I’m back in Dublin to make a film [an adaptation of Claire Keegan’s short story, Walk the Blue Fields, alongside Emily Blunt and directed by John Crowley], which means I can be here and see my family and that feels like home, too.
Your style signifier is … On my days off, I dress like a twelve-year-old. I love a suit, don’t get me wrong, but I think because I spend my life in rehearsal rooms and getting up at 5am to go on set, it’s often about comfort, without looking like you’ve slept in your clothes.
Do you like buying clothes? A little bit of a shopping high? Yeah, that can work – a little dance around a fitting room. I was in Austin, Texas recently and I bought a really cool vintage T-shirt. There’s nothing better than buying vintage clothes in a foreign city.
What are your favourite shoes? I love Gucci loafers. I have a couple of pairs.
Do you use skincare products? I love a bit of skincare. I like SkinCeuticals. It’s the one brand I consistently go back to. When I was on my first film set at 17, the make-up artist said to me, “You should moisturise your face every day for the rest of your life”. So I’ve done that.
What does your exercise routine include? I go the gym. I’m a big walker, I walk pretty much everywhere. I play tennis.
What did you most recently read? I’m reading Dancer From the Dance by Andrew Holleran, set in America at the end of the 20th century. It’s really beautiful.
What did you most recently listen to? Harry Styles’ new album. I love Harry Styles.
What’s a holiday you’d like to repeat? I’d love to go all around Ireland again. My family are from Westport, Co Mayo, and I always love going there, but I’d love to just take some time and drive all over, down to Clare, up to Donegal, everywhere.
What would be your perfect weekend? Always laughing, a little bit of drinking, good food, maybe some kissing.
SEE MORE: Get To Know Naoise Nunn
