Latest news with #AidanGillen
Irish Independent
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘Somewhat selfish. Clever. Definitely egotistical' – Aidan Gillen on his The Wire mayor, Carcetti
HBO screened the Baltimore-based series from 2002 to 2008 Today at 00:30 Some consider Aidan Gillen's portrayal of Tommy Carcetti in The Wire to be one of the Dublin actor's greatest performances. This might have something to do with the show, which the BBC once claimed was the greatest TV series of the 21st century. Made by HBO between 2002 and 2008 and first screened here by TG4, The Wire was an urban epic, with no real heroes. Rolling Stone magazine described it as a critique of modern America – and it made for gripping TV.
Irish Independent
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘Somewhat selfish. Clever. Definitely egotistical.' Aiden Gillen on his The Wire mayor, Carcetti
HBO screened the Baltimore-based series from 2002 to 2008 Today at 00:30 Some consider Aidan Gillen's portrayal of Tommy Carcetti in The Wire to be one of the Dublin actor's greatest performances. This might have something to do with the show, which the BBC once claimed was the greatest TV series of the 21st century. Made by HBO between 2002 and 2008 and first screened here by TG4, The Wire was an urban epic, with no real heroes. Rolling Stone magazine described it as a critique of modern America – and it made for gripping TV.
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Amongst the Wolves review – drills and chills in Irish gangster thriller
Irish director Mark O'Connor's film is a two-for-one deal. It starts out as a serious well-researched drama about an army veteran with PTSD sleeping rough in Dublin, and ends in bloody revenge, with Aidan Gillen in ultraviolent mode and gangsters drilling holes into each other's kneecaps. The movie is grounded by a rock solid performance from the film's co-writer Luke McQuillan as former soldier Danny, who loses his family and home after a tour in Afghanistan. There's a scene early on that feels horribly truthful about the day-to-day reality of being homeless: late one night, three lagered up youths humiliate Danny for a laugh – forcing him in front of the camera as they shove a coin into his hand. The shame on his face as they film him is harder to watch than the electric drills later that come later. Flashbacks show us how Danny's family life fell apart. There was an accident involving his little boy when Danny was looking after him; so when he meets a teenager called Will (Daniel Fee) sleeping in woods, Danny's instinct is to protect him – a second chance to get it right, perhaps. There is nothing particularly new about this story, but McQuillan plays Danny with real care. Here's where Gillen muscles in as a gang boss called Power, a man who takes a spider's pleasure in getting people exactly where he wants them. Teenager Will was dealing drugs for Power, until his mum flushed his stash down the loo. Now he's in trouble. Gillen plays Power with his trademark soft-spoken menace, but somehow it doesn't stick here, even with the added nastiness of his character having a sadistic habit of killing dogs. At times this is a film that doesn't feel like quite enough, at others it's a little bit too much. Amongst the Wolves is on digital platforms from 2 June.
RTÉ News
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
KIN cast to share secrets at Fastnet Film Festival
Fans of the hit crime drama KIN are in for a treat at this year's Fastnet Film Festival, as cast and creators gather for a special behind-the-scenes event in Schull, West Cork. KIN Uncovered takes place on Saturday, 24 May at 5pm, as part of the festival's packed programme running from 21 to 25 May. The panel discussion will be moderated by award-winning director Paddy Breathnach. Joining him are Aidan Gillen (Frank Kinsella), Maria Doyle Kennedy (Birdie Kinsella), Clare Dunne (Amanda Kinsella), and co-creator and writer Peter McKenna. Together, they'll explore the making of KIN, discussing its gripping storytelling, complex characters, and how the series became a standout in Irish television. McKenna, a five-time IFTA winner, is also known for Hidden Assets, Red Rock, and Gangs of London series 3. Breathnach, whose directing credits include VIVA and Rosie, has recently worked on Netflix's Bodkin and The Dry.
Extra.ie
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
He's a mean Littlefinger, 'but Aidan Gillen has the biggest heart in showbusiness!'
He's one of Ireland's most successful and recognisable actors, but Aidan Gillen was happy to slash his usual rate to support his 'up-and-coming' fellow cast members in the latest locally produced crime film to hit our screens. The Bafta-nominated Dubliner is famous worldwide for playing key roles in series such as The Wire, Game Of Thrones and Peaky Blinders – on top of his work in homegrown dramas like Love/Hate and Kin. But despite his glittering CV, Gillen made himself available at a knock-down price for Mark O'Connor, the Dublin filmmaker who handed Barry Keoghan his first three film roles. Aidan Gillen. Pic: Naoise Culhane The writer-director behind Netflix hit Cardboard Gangsters and TV series Darklands said Gillen was 'amazing to work with' for the first time in his new film, Amongst The Wolves. O'Connor told 'I've known him for a couple of years, and I just reached out and asked him would he be interested in being in it. He's very kind, and he's just a brilliant actor.' Gillen, 56, has a reputation for helping younger actors. 'He's so kind and so giving of his time and supportive of projects. I just think he's a really special actor because of the way he goes on like that,' the filmmaker said. O'Connor added that, unlike some Irish actors who 'get a bit of fame and go international, and then they aren't interested in making Irish films as much, Aidan has been really smart the way he's kept his feet in Ireland, but also [works] internationally – and I think that will serve him in the long run'. Aidan Gillen. Pic: Allen Kiely Made independently with no funding, Amongst The Wolves – about a homeless ex-soldier in Dublin who meets a teenager fleeing a drug gang – also stars established talent such as Peter Coonan (Love/Hate) and Helen Behan (Small Things Like These). 'I'm lucky that I was able to bring in Aidan and Peter and Helen to support our up-and-coming cast,' O'Connor told 'Dane Whyte O'Hara [given his screen debut in Darklands] has just been signed in America; [co-writer and lead] Luke McQuillan is an incredible actor; Daniel Fee has been signed by [talent agency] MacFarlane Chard and cast in a new Cartoon Saloon film. 'So this is about bringing through the next wave of Irish talent.' Despite the success of previous projects – and a knack for uncovering talent such as Keoghan, Coonan, John Connors and Alicia Weir – O'Connor said it remains 'tricky to get funding' for each new project, hence going independent for this latest release. Barry Keoghan. Pic: Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images 'I don't know if it's because [his films] are darker stories, but I've definitely struggled to find the financial support over the years. 'I've been finding ways to make things on low budgets and try to make them look really good. And I'm also in a kind of a privileged position where I can bring on some really good cast now and make something for a lower budget, and it can feel like it's actually a proper budget.' O'Connor has so far specialised in crime-centred stories, but his next film will be a comedy and, with financial backers and a stellar cast, could be his biggest yet. Oui Cannes, which he hopes to start shooting in September, tells of two best friends who visit the French cinema hotbed in the hope of selling their screenplay. French star Sabrina Ouazani is on board, while Gillen, Coonan and Moe Dunford are among the Irish cast. 'I'm really, really excited about it, to be honest,' O'Connor said. 'I think it's the best script that I've ever been involved with.' 23/04/2025 Mark O'Connor, Film Director and his son Manco Capac O'Connor, aged 9. Pic: Tom Honan O'Connor said his nine-year-old son, Manco, is part of the reason for branching out. 'He's asking me what I'm doing, and he's interested in what I'm writing. And I don't necessarily want to just be doing violence. 'He's so involved and wants to be in it, or wants to know what it's about. So I don't want him to feel like I'm just into those movies.' It will be Manco's first role after training under Mary Murray, but O'Connor insists he is 'not trying to push him into acting'. And an eight-month-old baby at home means being 'up at 5am every day to get your work done. Or else work late: I tend to have my meetings at 9 pm or 10 pm, and I have people coming to the house, or I'm doing Zoom calls.'
