Kieran O'Brien
Born: 1973-01-23 in Oldham, Greater Manchester, UK
Known For: Acting
Biography
O'Brien grew up in nearby Royton and was educated at the Bishop Henshaw Roman Catholic Memorial High School in Rochdale. He began acting at an early age and was the star of a BBC TV series Gruey by the time he was 15. He also featured in several other series at the time in one-off or recurring roles. In 1993, he played the role of Craig Lee in Coronation Street and then the role of Lee Jones in Children's Ward. In 1993 he also became a regular in the detective series, Cracker, playing Mark, the son of central character Robbie Coltrane. In 1999 he made his cinema debut with the film Virtual Sexuality and began a reunited with Cracker director Michael Winterbottom for 24 Hour Party People in 2002 and, in '04, for the controversial 9 Songs, which included scenes of genuine sexual intercourse between O'Brien and his leading lady Margo Stilley. His role had earned him the credit of being the only mainstream British actor who has been shown ejaculating in a mainstream UK-produced feature. Since 9 Songs, O'Brien has made two further films with Winterbottom; A Cock and Bull Story and The Look of Love. Recent regular TV roles include Holby Blue and The Syndicate.
Filmography
2025
- A Thousand Blows as Mr Harkness
- Trucking Heavy: Massive Moves as Narrator
2023
- The Family Pile as Stuart
2022
- Andor as Pegla
2021
- The Following Year as Ben
2020
- Ted Lasso as James Tartt
- The Cars That Made the World as Self - Narrator
- She ... (Executive Producer)
2019
- Chernobyl as Khodemchuck
- Years and Years as Woody
2018
- Holmes & Watson as PC Smalls
- Trucking Hell
- Peterloo as Peter Wilkes, a Farrier
2016
- The Watchman as Lee Simpson
2015
- No Offence as Stone
2014
- Grantchester as Arthur Evans
- Prey as Phil Prentice
- Glue as Thomas Bray
2013
- Bluestone 42 as Nutsack
- The Look of Love as Jimmy Humphries
2012
- Cuckoo as Goran
- Love Life as Dez
- Spike Island as Poster Vendor
2011
- Death in Paradise as Danny
- Vera as Bobby Salter
- Silk as Sean
2009
- Moving On as Shane
- The Shock Doctrine as Narrator (Voice)
2008
- The Last Enemy as Wafa
2007
- Secret Diary of a Call Girl as Al
- Indie Sex as Self
- Goal II: Living the Dream as Hughie McGowan
- Holby Blue as Constable Robert Clifton
2006
- Life on Mars as Davie Mackay
- Cracker: Nine Eleven as Mark Fitzgerald
- Elizabeth David: A Life in Recipes as Charles Gibson Cowan
2005
- Goal! as Hughie McGowan
- A Cock and Bull Story as Gary
- Bloodlines as Mark Hopkin
2004
- 9 Songs as Matt
- New Tricks as Michael Jacobs
- The Banker as Vain Man
2003
- Blue Murder as Terry Camerton
- The Afternoon Play as Sean Tyler
- The Terry and Gaby Show
- Burn It as Andy Grimshaw
2002
- 24 Hour Party People as Nathan
2001
- Band of Brothers as Allen E. Vest
- Messiah as Eric Metcalfe
2000
- Jason and the Argonauts as Actor
1999
- Virtual Sexuality as Alex Thorne
1997
- Born to Run as Ryan Flitch
1993
1992
- Heartbeat as Neil
1989
- Children's Ward as Lee Jones
- Monster Maker as Matt Banting
1987
- Bellman and True as The Boy
1986
- Casualty as Chris Miller