Honestly, if you only know Kieran O'Brien from that one "scandalous" movie from 2004, you’re basically missing out on one of the most consistent, gritty, and under-appreciated runs in British acting history. People love to fixate on the controversy. It’s easy. It’s clickbaity. But the guy has been working since he was a kid in the late 80s, and his filmography reads like a "who’s who" of prestige television and cult cinema.
He's a Manchester native. Born in 1973. You can hear it in the voice—that grounded, no-nonsense Northern grit that directors like Michael Winterbottom clearly couldn't get enough of. From being a child star to playing the most hated dad on Ted Lasso, the trajectory of Kieran O'Brien movies and tv shows is a wild ride through everything from indie art-house to massive Star Wars sets.
From Child Star to Cracker: The Early Grind
Most actors struggle for years to get a break. Kieran? He was the lead in a BBC show called Gruey by the time he was fifteen. He was a face people recognized in their living rooms before he could probably even drive. He did the rounds on all the staples—Children’s Ward, Coronation Street, Casualty. It’s the classic British actor's rite of passage.
But things got real when he landed the role of Mark Fitz, the son of Robbie Coltrane’s iconic character in Cracker.
That show was bleak. It was brilliant. It also marked the start of a massive creative partnership. Michael Winterbottom was directing episodes of Cracker back then, and he clearly saw something in O'Brien. It wasn't just about being a "teen actor" anymore; it was about holding his own against a powerhouse like Coltrane in some of the most intense scripts on TV.
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The Winterbottom Era and the 9 Songs Chaos
You can't talk about Kieran O'Brien movies and tv shows without addressing the elephant in the room. Or rather, the movie in the room. 9 Songs (2004).
At the time, the British press absolutely lost its mind. It was labeled "the most sexually explicit mainstream film" ever. No simulations. Just real life. O'Brien played Matt, a glaciologist, alongside Margo Stilley. Look, the movie isn't for everyone. It’s basically just live concert footage of bands like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Primal Scream intercut with unsimulated sex.
O'Brien has always been super chill about it, though. He famously told The Guardian he was "the opposite of ashamed." He viewed it as art. He viewed it as a job. While the tabloids were having a collective heart attack, he was just moving on to the next project.
Other Standout Collaborations
Winterbottom used him for a reason. O'Brien has this "everyman" quality that fits perfectly into the director's semi-improvised, naturalistic style.
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- 24 Hour Party People (2002): He played Nathan in this legendary retelling of the Manchester music scene. If you haven't seen it, go watch it. It’s a love letter to the Haçienda and Factory Records.
- A Cock and Bull Story (2005): A meta-comedy where he gets to play around with the absurdity of filmmaking itself.
- The Look of Love (2013): Another dive into British subculture, this time the world of Paul Raymond.
The Recent Renaissance: Ted Lasso and Andor
If you haven't kept up, you might have been surprised to see a familiar face popping up in the biggest shows of the 2020s. Kieran O'Brien has basically become the go-to guy for "rough-around-the-edges" characters who bring immediate weight to a scene.
In Ted Lasso, he played James Tartt. Yeah, Jamie Tartt’s dad. He was awful. But in a way that was so grounded and believable it made Jamie’s entire character arc make sense. He appeared in five episodes, but that scene in the Wembley locker room? It's the kind of performance that sticks with you because it feels so painfully real.
Then there’s Andor. If you blink, you might miss him as Pegla, but he’s part of that incredible world-building that made the show feel more like a gritty spy thriller than a "space opera."
The Deep Cuts (TV and Film)
He's everywhere if you look close enough.
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- Chernobyl (2019): He was in the final episode of this HBO masterpiece. Small role, massive impact.
- Band of Brothers (2001): He was in three episodes of the greatest miniseries ever made.
- Goal! and Goal II: He played a tough Newcastle footballer. It’s basically required viewing for any football fan.
- Years and Years (2019): He showed up in Russell T. Davies' terrifyingly prophetic drama.
Why He’s Still Relevant in 2026
It’s easy to get chewed up and spat out by the industry, especially after a controversy like the one surrounding 9 Songs. But O'Brien didn't let that define him. He just kept working. He moved into voice work, narrating shows like Trucking Heavy and The Cars That Made The World. He’s currently involved in the Disney+ series A Thousand Blows, playing Mr. Harkness.
He’s an actor’s actor. He doesn't chase the celebrity lifestyle; he just shows up and delivers the goods. Whether it's a 19th-century period piece like Peterloo or a goofy comedy like Holmes & Watson, he brings the same Manchester-bred authenticity.
Finding His Best Work
If you're looking to dive into the Kieran O'Brien movies and tv shows catalog, don't just start with the headlines.
Start with Cracker to see the raw talent. Move to 24 Hour Party People for the vibes. Then hit Ted Lasso to see a masterclass in playing a character you absolutely love to hate. Most of his stuff is streaming—Ted Lasso is on Apple TV+, Andor on Disney+, and his older BBC/ITV work pops up on BritBox or iPlayer constantly.
Stop focusing on the "explicit" stuff and look at the range. From a 14-year-old kid in Gruey to a seasoned pro in A Thousand Blows, O'Brien has survived decades in a brutal industry by simply being too good to ignore.
Next Steps for the Binge-Watcher:
- Check out the "Beard After Hours" episode of Ted Lasso—it’s a weird, standalone trip where O'Brien's presence looms large.
- Track down a copy of The Road to Guantánamo for a look at his more serious, politically-charged work.
- Look for his name in the credits of narrations; his voice is distinctive and adds a layer of "realness" to documentaries.