Honestly, if you grew up watching British TV in the mid-2000s, there is one face that probably feels like family: Gerard Kearns. You likely know him as Ian Gallagher from Shameless. For seven years, he lived on the Chatsworth Estate, navigating the chaos of the Gallagher clan with a grounded, sensitive energy that most actors would kill for. But if you think that's where his story ends, you are missing out on one of the most versatile careers in modern British drama.
Kearns isn't just a "TV actor." He’s a shapeshifter. From gritty war dramas to high-stakes spy thrillers, he has quietly built a filmography that commands respect. Most people don't realize he's been in everything from massive HBO hits like Chernobyl to cult indie films like Looking for Eric.
The Breakout: Shameless and Beyond
Let’s talk about Shameless for a second. It wasn't just a job for Kearns; it was his education. Starring alongside James McAvoy and Anne-Marie Duff, he held his own as the quiet, closeted Ian. It was a role that required a delicate touch. Too often, "troubled teen" roles are played with one note—usually anger—but Kearns brought a weary, soulful vibe that made you actually root for him.
However, playing the same character for 80 episodes can be a trap. It’s easy to get typecast. Kearns avoided this by taking a sharp left turn into the harrowing 2007 film The Mark of Cain.
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If you haven't seen The Mark of Cain, brace yourself. It’s a brutal look at British soldiers in Iraq. Kearns plays Shane Gulliver, a young man caught in a spiral of abuse and military protocol. It won a BAFTA for a reason. His performance is devastating. It proved, once and for all, that he could carry the weight of a prestige feature film.
Gerard Kearns Movies and TV Shows: The Essential Watchlist
Looking at Gerard Kearns movies and tv shows is like looking at a map of great British storytelling over the last two decades. He doesn't seem to chase the "celebrity" life; he chases the work.
- Looking for Eric (2009): Directed by Ken Loach. Kearns plays Ryan, the son of a postman who finds life advice from a hallucination of Eric Cantona. It’s funny, moving, and very "Northern."
- The Last Kingdom (2015–2017): He played Halig, a loyal friend to Uhtred. Seeing him in Viking-era gear was a shock to fans used to seeing him in hoodies, but he fit right in.
- The Smoke (2014): A vastly underrated firefighting drama where he played "Little Al." It’s gritty, fast-paced, and deserved more than one season.
- The English Game (2020): Here, he stepped into the origins of football as Tommy Marshall. It showed a more polished, historical side of his acting range.
Why He Still Matters in 2026
Fast forward to right now. Kearns is still at it, and arguably doing his best work yet. Just this month, in January 2026, he appeared in the BBC’s new heavy-hitter, Waiting for the Out. Written by Dennis Kelly—the genius behind Utopia and Matilda the Musical—this prison drama is making waves for its "nuanced and original" take on incarcerated life.
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Kearns stars alongside Josh Finan in the series, which was filmed all over Liverpool last year. It’s a "philosophy-in-prison" show, which sounds high-brow but is actually incredibly visceral. Seeing him back on the BBC, playing a character with so much internal conflict, feels like a full-circle moment.
And we can't ignore his recent stint in The Day of the Jackal. Starring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch, the show is a glossy, big-budget spy thriller. Kearns might not be the "Jackal," but his presence in these high-caliber productions shows exactly where he stands in the industry. He’s the guy you hire when you need reliability and emotional depth.
The "Manchester City" Actor
Off-screen, Kearns is famously a massive Manchester City fan. It's kinda funny because, in Shameless, he played a character who was a die-hard United supporter. That’s acting for you. He’s also a family man, married to Sarah Kearns since 2017, and they have two kids. He seems to have figured out the balance that so many actors fail to find: a steady career without the intrusive glare of the tabloids.
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He once mentioned in an interview with WhatsOnStage that if he hadn't been an actor, he might have been a "dustbin man" or a musician. He’s got that working-class humility that makes his performances feel real. You never feel like he's "performing" at you; you feel like you're watching a real person deal with real problems.
What to Watch First?
If you're new to his work or just want to dive deeper into the world of Gerard Kearns movies and tv shows, here is a rough guide on where to start based on what you like:
- For the Classics: Start with Shameless (UK Version). Watch the first three seasons to see the Gallagher family at their peak.
- For the Drama: Watch The Mark of Cain. It’s a hard watch, but it’s his most powerful performance.
- For the History Buffs: The Last Kingdom or The English Game.
- For the Current Hype: Get on BBC iPlayer and binge Waiting for the Out. It’s the show everyone is talking about this week.
Gerard Kearns is a reminder that you don't need to be a Hollywood A-lister to have a legendary career. He’s a "working actor" in the truest sense—someone who brings heart and grit to every frame, whether he's in a muddy trench in Iraq or a kitchen in Manchester.
Next Steps for Fans:
Check out the 2026 BBC drama Waiting for the Out to see Kearns’ most recent performance. If you're interested in his earlier film work, track down a copy of The Rise (also known as Wasteland), where he stars alongside Iwan Rheon and Luke Treadaway in a clever British heist flick.