Emmett J Scanlan: A Versatile Actor with a Stellar Career

Emmett has gained recognition for his notable performances, particularly in the BAFTA-winning BBC drama Peaky Blinders, where he appeared in Series 5 and 6 as Billy Grade, a former professional footballer turned gang member. Additionally, he received Irish Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor in 2022 and 2024 for his compelling portrayal of Jimmy in the Dublin-based crime drama Kin. His character, a member of the notorious Kinsella gang, tragically loses his innocent son amid a gangland war, showcasing Emmett’s impressive range and talent.

He assumed the pivotal role of DI Kieran Shaw, a seasoned police boss, in the ITV crime drama “The Tower”, alongside Gemma Whelan and Jimmy Akingbola. The intense 3-part series explored the shocking investigation into the tragic deaths of a veteran police officer and a teenage girl, who plummeted from a tower block in southeast London. His compelling performance as DI Shaw led to his reprisal of the role in the sequel series “The Tower II: Death Message” in 2023, with a third instalment confirmed, cementing his integral presence in the show’s narrative.

In 2024, he joined a stellar cast, including Richard Armitage, Michelle Keegan, Joanna Lumley, and Adeel Akhtar, in the Netflix adaptation of Harlan Coben’s bestselling novel “Fool Me Once”. He played the pivotal role of Shane Tessier, Maya’s (Michelle Keegan) loyal friend and confidant, in this suspenseful 8-part crime thriller series, which captivated audiences worldwide.

2022 marked a milestone year for him, as he graced the screens in the culmination of the sidesplitting Northern Irish comedy “Derry Girls”, embodying the enigmatic ‘Madstab’ in its final season.

Additionally, he became an integral part of the talented ensemble in “Ten Percent”, the British reimagining of the French sensation “Call My Agent”, which debuted on Amazon Prime. With his portrayal of Marcus Macleod, a formidable talent agent in the heart of London, he masterfully exemplified his chameleon-like abilities, leaving an indelible mark on the comedy world.

In 2022, he assumed the principal role in the mesmerizing historical drama Lapwing, a film set against the stunning backdrop of 16th-century Lincolnshire. He delivered a compelling performance that resonated with audiences.

In 2020, he delivered an impressive performance in two major roles: as the lead in the Channel 5 crime drama “The Deceived” and as Jack O’Doherty in the acclaimed HBO/Sky Atlantic series “Gangs of London”.

His impressive body of work also includes standout appearances in a range of other notable TV shows and films, such as “Women on the Verge” with Sharon Horgan, “Butterfly” alongside Anna Friel, Harlan Coben’s gripping “Safe”, and the BBC’s psychological thriller “The Fall” with Jamie Dornan and Gillian Anderson, demonstrating his remarkable range and versatility over the past decade.

He voiced the character Sindri in the animated film “Legends of Valhalla: Thor”, adding his talents to the mythical tale.

Emmett hails from Dublin, Ireland; his native accent is a distinct Southern Irish brogue.

AGE RANGE

30s-40s

ACCENTS

Dublin*, Southern Irish

STYLES

Warm, Rich, Authority, Deep, Gravelly, Wise

CREDITS

Hollyoaks (TV, 2010-2013) – ‘Brendan Brady’, Channel 4
The Fall (TV, 2013, 2014 & 2016) – ‘DC Glen Martin’, BBC, Series 1, 2 & 3
Snatch (TV, 2017) – ‘King Royston’, Sony Crackle
Overshadowed (TV, 2017) – ‘Brian’, BBC Three
My Daughter is Missing (Film, 2017) – ‘Alek’, Lifetime
Girlfriends (TV, 2018) – ‘DI Chris Donoghue’, ITV
Krypton (TV, 2018) – ‘Lobo’, SyFY/DC Entertainment, Season 2
Butterfly (TV, 2018) – ‘Stephen Duffy’, ITV
Women on the Verge (TV, 2018) – ‘Kieran’, UKTV
Safe (TV, 2018) – ‘Josh Mason’, Netflix
Treadstone (TV, 2019) – ‘Spencer’, Universal/Amazon Prime,
Medici (TV, 2020) – ‘Guido Battista’, Netflix, Season 3
Gangs of London (TV, 2020) – ‘Jack O’Doherty’, Sky
The Deceived (TV, 2020) – ‘Michael Callaghan’ (Series Lead), Channel 5
Peaky Blinders (TV, 2019-2021) – ‘Billy Grade’, BBC, Series 5 & 6
Lapwing (Film, 2021) – ‘David’, Urban Apache Films, Red Dog Film, and World Serpent Productions
Derry Girls (TV, 2022) – ‘Madstab’, Channel 4
Ten Per Cent (TV, 2022) – ‘Marcus Macleod’, Amazon Prime Video
The Tower (TV, 2021-2023) – ‘Inspector Kieran Shaw’, ITV
Fool Me Once (TV, 2024) – ‘Shaun Tessier’, Netflix
Kin (TV, 2021-2024) – ‘Jimmy Kinsella’ (Series Lead), BBC One/RTE, Series 1 & 2

 

 

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