Liam Cunningham is probably the only guy who can walk onto a screen, tell a king he’s being an idiot, and somehow make you like both of them more. Most people know him as the "Onion Knight," the moral compass of Westeros who managed to keep his head while everyone else was losing theirs. But honestly, if you only know him from Game of Thrones, you’re missing out on about thirty years of some of the grittiest, most interesting acting to come out of Ireland. He’s got this vibe—half weary philosopher, half guy who could fix your car—that makes him indispensable. From his early days in War of the Buttons to his recent turn as the ruthless Thomas Wade in 3 Body Problem, the range of Liam Cunningham movies and tv shows is actually kind of staggering.
He wasn't always an actor, which is maybe why he feels so real. He was an electrician in Zimbabwe for a while. You can see that "get-it-done" energy in his performances. He doesn't do "fluff." He does gravity.
The Roles That Defined Him (And Why Davos Isn’t Everything)
Look, we have to talk about Davos Seaworth. It's the law. For seven seasons, he was the heart of Game of Thrones. What’s wild is that he originally auditioned for a different role in the pilot. He won't say which one, but the showrunners told him they were "going a different way" and asked him to come back for Season 2. Thank God they did. He turned a smuggler into a statesman. He even stood up to the writers on a few things. Did you know there was a plan for Davos to have a crush on Missandei? Cunningham shut that down fast. He told them he wasn't "doing it," arguing that it would ruin the paternal, decent bond he’d built with the audience. That’s an actor who actually cares about the character's soul.
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But if you want to see what he can really do when he’s not worrying about White Walkers, check out Hunger (2008). He plays a priest opposite Michael Fassbender’s Bobby Sands. There is a 17-minute single-take scene where they just sit and talk. No cuts. Just two men debating life, death, and politics. It’s a masterclass. Honestly, it’s one of the best scenes in modern cinema history.
A Quick Look at the Essentials
- A Little Princess (1995): He plays the dad (Captain Crewe) and Prince Rama. It’s a bit of a tear-jerker, but he brings a warmth that makes the whole thing work.
- Dog Soldiers (2002): A cult classic. He's Captain Ryan, and if you haven't seen this werewolf movie, you're missing out on some prime British horror.
- The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006): He teamed up with Cillian Murphy for this Ken Loach film about the Irish War of Independence. It won the Palme d'Or at Cannes. He plays Dan, a union leader, and it’s heartbreaking.
- The Guard (2011): He plays a drug trafficker here. It's a comedy-thriller, and he's clearly having the time of his life being a bit of a villain.
The Move to Sci-Fi: 3 Body Problem and Thomas Wade
When David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (the GoT guys) moved to Netflix for 3 Body Problem, they brought Cunningham with them. It was a smart move. He plays Thomas Wade, the head of the Strategic Intelligence Agency. He’s essentially the man in charge of defending Earth from an alien invasion.
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In the books by Liu Cixin, Wade is a stone-cold psychopath. In the show? Cunningham makes him... almost likable? He’s still a fascist bureaucrat who will sacrifice anyone to win, but he’s so charismatic you almost want him in charge. He’s got that "Only Advance" mantra that feels genuinely terrifying. He’s already been nominated for an IFTA (Irish Film & Television Award) in 2025 for this role. With Season 2 confirmed for 2026, Wade is set to become his next "legacy" character.
Why 2026 is a Massive Year for Cunningham
If you’re tracking Liam Cunningham movies and tv shows, 2026 is looking like a bit of a peak. He’s not slowing down. He’s actually the lead in Palestine 36, a historical drama that’s been doing the festival rounds and is Palestine's official Oscar submission for the 98th Academy Awards. He plays Charles Tegart, a real-life British police officer during the 1936 Arab Revolt. It’s a heavy, nuanced role that deals with colonial history, and early reviews say he’s phenomenal in it.
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Then there’s his voice work. He’s been Man-At-Arms in Masters of the Universe: Revolution. It’s a weird pivot from gritty dramas to He-Man, but his voice has that gravelly authority that just fits.
What to Watch Right Now
If you’re looking to dive into his filmography this weekend, don't just go for the big hits.
- Pitch Black Heist: It’s a short film he did with Michael Fassbender. They won a BAFTA for it. It’s simple, tense, and brilliant.
- Let Us Prey (2014): If you like weird, supernatural horror, this is for you. He plays a mysterious stranger who shows up at a remote police station. It's dark as hell.
- Domina: He plays Livius in this Roman Empire drama. If you liked the political maneuvering of Thrones, this hits a similar spot.
Cunningham is the kind of actor who makes everyone around him better. Whether he’s playing a smuggler, a priest, or a space-age intelligence chief, he brings a level of "grown-up" energy that's rare in Hollywood. He doesn't play heroes; he plays men who are trying to do their best in impossible situations.
Next Steps:
If you want to see him at his absolute peak, go watch the "cell scene" in Hunger first. It’s the best way to understand why he’s one of Ireland’s greatest exports. After that, keep an eye out for the U.S. theatrical release of Palestine 36 later this year—it’s expected to be a major awards contender.