Irish actors work across television, film and streaming platforms, from long-running Irish soaps to major international productions. Understanding how actors build screen careers — both in Ireland and abroad — can help you see realistic pathways and set achievable goals.
This isn’t about celebrity gossip or chasing fame. It’s about understanding how working actors from Ireland actually build sustainable screen careers, and what lessons you can take from their journeys.
Irish actors in television
Television provides steady employment for many Irish actors, particularly in long-running series that film year-round.
Long-running Irish TV shows
Shows like Fair City, Ros na Rún and past series like Red Rock have provided consistent work for generations of Irish actors. These shows:
- Film regularly, often year-round
- Provide stable income for core cast members
- Offer valuable on-screen experience and exposure
- Help actors build their showreels
- Create opportunities for recurring guest roles and day player work
Landing a role in a long-running Irish series is competitive, and usually requires agent representation and solid screen experience. But once established, these roles provide financial stability and industry credibility.
Drama series and limited series
Irish television also produces drama series, mini-series and one-off projects through broadcasters like RTÉ, TG4 and Virgin Media, as well as streaming platforms producing Irish content.
These productions often cast a mix of established Irish actors and emerging talent. They’re usually cast through agents, though some projects hold open auditions.
International productions filmed in Ireland
Ireland’s film incentives and facilities attract international TV productions. Shows filmed in Ireland sometimes cast Irish actors for supporting roles, guest spots or background work.
While lead roles typically go to internationally recognised actors, Irish performers can build credits and experience through these productions.
Irish actors in film and streaming
Irish actors work in:
- Irish-produced films: Features funded through Screen Ireland and Irish production companies
- Co-productions: International projects with Irish partners
- UK and European films: Irish actors working abroad, particularly in the UK
- Hollywood films shot in Ireland: Supporting roles and day player work on major productions
- Streaming platform content: Irish shows and films produced by Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+ and others
Building a film career from Ireland
Most Irish actors who build film careers follow a similar path:
- Gain experience through short films, student projects and theatre
- Build a strong showreel from early on-camera work
- Secure agent representation
- Land supporting roles in Irish features and TV
- Build credits and reputation over time
- Expand to UK, European or US work through co-productions, connections or relocation
Very few actors go straight from drama school to leading roles in major films. The typical trajectory involves years of smaller roles, building relationships and gradually increasing the size and profile of projects.
The role of streaming platforms
Streaming platforms have increased opportunities for Irish actors by funding more Irish content. Shows produced for Netflix, Apple TV+ and other platforms often have larger budgets and wider reach than traditional Irish TV, creating more high-profile opportunities for local actors.
However, competition is still intense, and these productions often cast internationally as well as locally.
International work and co-productions
Many successful Irish actors work internationally, particularly in the UK, where shared language, proximity and cultural ties make it a natural extension of the Irish market.
Working in the UK
Irish actors often work in the UK through:
- Agent connections: Irish agents with UK partnerships or UK agents representing Irish actors
- Self-taping: Many UK auditions can be done remotely
- Relocating: Some Irish actors move to London or other UK cities to increase opportunities
- Co-productions: Irish-UK co-productions that cast from both markets
Working in the UK usually requires understanding UK union rules, work eligibility and tax obligations. It also means competing in a much larger, more competitive market.
Working in the US and elsewhere
A smaller number of Irish actors work in the US, typically after establishing strong credits and representation. This often involves:
- Securing a US-based agent or manager
- Obtaining appropriate work visas
- Building a US-specific showreel and materials
- Regular travel for pilot season or specific projects
Breaking into the US market is difficult and expensive. Most Irish actors who succeed there have already built significant careers in Ireland and the UK first.
What aspiring actors can learn from established careers
Looking at how working Irish actors built their careers reveals common patterns:
Start local, think long-term
Most successful Irish actors started with local theatre, drama groups or student films. They built skills and experience locally before expanding to larger opportunities.
The actors who last tend to be those who:
- Focus on craft and consistent improvement
- Build strong industry relationships
- Stay professional and reliable
- Work steadily across different types of projects
- Don’t wait for the “big break” — they work consistently and let opportunities accumulate
Training and continuous development
Many working Irish screen actors trained formally, whether through drama school, university programs or intensive workshops. But they didn’t stop learning after initial training — they continue to take classes, work with coaches and develop new skills throughout their careers.
Representation matters
Nearly all working Irish screen actors have agent representation. Agents provide access to auditions that aren’t publicly advertised and help negotiate better terms.
But actors earn representation by proving they’re worth investing in. They build experience, create strong materials and demonstrate professionalism before agents take them on.
Rejection is constant
Even established, working actors face rejection regularly. Auditions outnumber bookings by a significant margin. The actors who build sustainable careers are those who:
- Don’t take rejection personally
- Learn from auditions and adjust
- Stay resilient through quiet periods
- Keep training and improving between jobs
Diversify your work
Many Irish actors work across theatre, TV, film, commercials and voiceover. Relying on one type of work is risky in a small market. Actors who build sustainable careers often diversify income streams and accept a range of opportunities.
Build a reputation for professionalism
The Irish industry is small. Word spreads quickly about who is professional, prepared and pleasant to work with — and who isn’t. Actors with strong reputations get recommended, re-hired and remembered.
Professionalism includes:
- Showing up prepared and on time
- Taking direction well
- Being pleasant and collaborative on set
- Meeting commitments and being reliable
- Treating everyone with respect, regardless of their role
Be patient and strategic
Sustainable screen careers take years to build. Actors who succeed tend to be strategic about the work they accept, the training they pursue and the relationships they build. They don’t rush, and they don’t expect overnight success.
Inspiration, not comparison
Looking at successful Irish actors on screen can be inspiring, but avoid comparing yourself directly. Every actor’s journey is different, influenced by timing, luck, appearance, connections and countless other factors.
Instead, focus on:
- What you can control: your training, your professionalism, your materials, your effort
- Building your own path, based on your strengths and circumstances
- Learning from others’ journeys without feeling you must replicate them exactly
- Staying consistent and patient through the long, slow process of building a career
Final thoughts
Irish actors work on screen in a wide range of contexts, from Irish soaps and dramas to international film and streaming projects. Building a screen career from Ireland is possible, but it requires training, strong materials, representation, resilience and time.
Study the careers of working actors not to copy them, but to understand realistic timelines, common pathways and the professionalism required to sustain a long-term career. Then focus on your own journey: consistent work, continuous improvement and patient persistence.