You’ve likely seen her face. Maybe it was a fleeting glimpse in a gritty British procedural from the nineties, or perhaps more recently, you’ve been captivated by the sharp-tongued, wheelchair-bound MI5 records keeper in Slow Horses. Naomi Wirthner is one of those actors who doesn't just play a part; she inhabits the space around it.
She’s formidable. Honestly, "formidable" might be an understatement when you consider the screen presence she brings to Molly Doran.
But there is so much more to her career than just a desk at Slough House. Wirthner has spent decades navigating the peaks and valleys of the British entertainment industry. She’s an actor, a director, and a matriarch of a seriously talented acting dynasty (yes, the Dillane connection is real).
Let's get into it.
The Molly Doran Effect: Slow Horses and Beyond
If we’re talking about naomi wirthner movies and tv shows, we have to start with the Apple TV+ juggernaut. Molly Doran is the gatekeeper. She’s the one who knows where all the bodies are buried—literally and figuratively. In a show filled with spies who are "screw-ups," Molly is the anchor of competence, even if she’s perpetually annoyed by everyone else's existence.
She joined the cast in Season 2. Since then, she’s become a fan favorite. Why? Because she gives Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) a run for his money in the "who can be the most cynical" department.
It’s a masterclass in stillness.
Wirthner doesn't need to explode to command a scene. She uses a look, a pause, or a biting remark to remind everyone that she is the smartest person in the room. This role has arguably brought her the most mainstream recognition of her career, and frankly, it’s about time.
✨ Don't miss: Cómo salvar a tu favorito: La verdad sobre la votación de La Casa de los Famosos Colombia
Recent Projects and Big Screen Moves
- The Outrun (2024): This film, starring Saoirse Ronan, is a raw look at addiction and recovery. Wirthner’s involvement here adds another layer of gravitas to a story that is already emotionally heavy.
- The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (2023): Playing the character of Kate, she contributes to this quiet, moving story about a man walking across England.
- How to Train Your Dragon (2025): Interestingly, her name has been tied to the upcoming live-action adaptation. While many details are still under wraps as the film moves toward its 2025 release, it marks a significant shift into major blockbuster territory.
The Early Days: Soldier Soldier and the 90s Grind
Before she was the queen of the MI5 archives, Wirthner was a staple of British television during a time when "appointment viewing" was still a thing.
She played Mrs. Garvey in Soldier Soldier. Remember that? It was a massive hit. It was the kind of show that defined an era of British drama.
She also popped up in Wycliffe and Between the Lines. These weren't just "jobs." They were the training grounds. Working in the UK television circuit in the 90s required a specific kind of versatility. You had to be able to handle procedural dialogue while making a character feel like a real human being with a mortgage and a life outside the precinct.
Wirthner has always been a "working actor" in the truest sense. She isn't chasing the spotlight; she's chasing the work.
The Barebones Project
People often overlook her work behind the scenes. She founded The Barebones Project.
It’s a theater company.
It’s small, intentional, and focused on the craft of acting without the fluff. This tells you everything you need to know about her. She’s interested in the "bare bones" of storytelling. She’s directed numerous productions, and this theatrical background is exactly why her screen performances feel so grounded. You can’t fake that kind of discipline.
🔗 Read more: Cliff Richard and The Young Ones: The Weirdest Bromance in TV History Explained
A Family of Artists
It’s hard to discuss Naomi Wirthner without mentioning her family, but not because she’s defined by them. It’s more because they are like the "Avengers" of British acting.
She was married to Stephen Dillane (Stannis Baratheon for the Game of Thrones fans).
Their son is Frank Dillane, who starred in Fear the Walking Dead and played a young Tom Riddle in Harry Potter.
Imagine those dinner table conversations.
But Wirthner has always maintained her own identity. She’s Afro-Jamaican and British, and she has spoken in the past about the complexities of identity and representation in the industry. She doesn't just play roles; she brings her entire history to them.
Why Her Career Matters Right Now
In an industry that is often obsessed with the "next big thing," Wirthner represents longevity. She represents the value of the character actor.
Think about it.
💡 You might also like: Christopher McDonald in Lemonade Mouth: Why This Villain Still Works
The biggest shows on streaming right now—Slow Horses, Succession, The Bear—all rely on a deep bench of character actors who can carry a scene when the leads aren't around. Wirthner is the personification of that bench.
She makes everyone else on screen better.
If you want to dive deeper into her filmography, here is what you should do next. Start with Slow Horses if you haven't seen it. The chemistry (or lack thereof, which is the point) between her and Gary Oldman is worth the subscription price alone. Then, look for her smaller roles in films like The Man in the Hat.
Actionable Insight: If you’re a fan of her work, pay attention to the credits of the shows you love. Often, actors like Wirthner are the "connective tissue" of great TV. Tracking her career is a great way to discover high-quality British dramas you might have missed.
Watch her eyes in the next scene you see her in. She’s usually thinking three steps ahead of the person she’s talking to. That’s the Naomi Wirthner brand. It’s sharp, it’s intelligent, and it’s entirely authentic.
Check out the 2025 How to Train Your Dragon live-action film when it hits theaters to see how she handles a massive scale production. It’s going to be a fascinating pivot for an actor who has spent so much of her life in the intimacy of the theater and the grit of Slough House.