You know the face. Those scars aren't makeup, and that grit isn't an act. Tommy Flanagan has spent the last thirty years becoming one of the most reliable "tough guys" in Hollywood, but if you only know him from a leather vest and a motorcycle, you’re missing out on half the story.
Honestly, the guy is everywhere. From the mud of 13th-century Scotland to the high-tech corridors of Westworld, Tommy Flanagan movies and TV shows have a way of sticking in your brain. He’s the actor directors call when they need a character who looks like they’ve actually lived a life.
The Breakout: From Glasgow Nightclubs to Braveheart
Tommy didn't start out wanting to be an actor. He was a DJ in Glasgow. One night, leaving a club, he was jumped and slashed—an attack that gave him his famous "Glasgow Smile." It was his friend Robert Carlyle (yes, Trainspotting’s Begbie) who told him he should try acting as a way to process everything.
Good thing he listened.
By 1995, he was standing next to Mel Gibson in Braveheart. He played Morrison, the rebel whose wife is violated by English soldiers. It’s a raw, angry performance. People noticed. He wasn't just a guy with a scar; he had this vibrating intensity that you couldn't look away from.
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Stealing Scenes in the Early 2000s
After Braveheart, the floodgates opened. He wasn't always the lead, but he was always the guy you remembered.
- Gladiator (2000): He played Cicero, Maximus’s loyal servant. His death scene is still a gut-punch.
- Face/Off (1997): A small role as Leo, but he held his own in a movie that was basically a fever dream of over-acting.
- All About the Benjamins (2002): He went full villain here as Williamson, proving he could do American accents and high-octane action comedy just as well as period drama.
- Sin City (2005): He showed up as Brian, fitting perfectly into Frank Miller’s noir aesthetic.
The Sons of Anarchy Era: Becoming Filip "Chibs" Telford
Let’s be real. This is the big one. If we're talking about Tommy Flanagan movies and TV shows, Sons of Anarchy is the sun that everything else orbits.
For seven seasons, he played Chibs. He wasn't just the muscle; he was the soul of SAMCRO. While Jax was spiraling and Clay was being, well, Clay, Chibs was the steady hand. He brought a vulnerability to the role that most "bikie" shows lack. When he finally became President in the series finale, it felt earned.
The fans loved him so much they basically demanded he come back for a guest spot in the spin-off, Mayans M.C. Seeing Chibs back in the cut, even for a moment, felt like a bridge to the old days.
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Life After SAMCRO: Power, Westworld, and Beyond
A lot of actors get stuck after a massive show ends. Not Tommy. He’s stayed incredibly busy.
He jumped into Power Book IV: Force as Walter Flynn, an Irish mob boss in Chicago. It was a different kind of "hard man"—older, wealthier, but just as dangerous. Then there was Westworld, where he played Martin Conells. Seeing him in a sleek suit in a futuristic sci-fi setting was a trip, but it proved he isn't just a "period piece" or "crime drama" actor.
What’s Coming in 2026?
If you think he’s slowing down, you’re wrong. 2026 is looking like a massive year for him. He’s officially joined the cast of House of the Dragon for Season 3. He’s playing Roderick Dustin, the leader of the Winter Wolves. Basically, he’s going back to his roots: playing a legendary warrior from the North who is ready to die for a cause. It’s perfect casting.
He's also set to appear in The Exorcist reboot projects and has been filming MobLand and The Perfect Couple. The man is a workhorse.
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Why He Still Matters
Tommy Flanagan represents a dying breed of character actors. He doesn't look like a Marvel Chris. He looks like a guy who’s survived a lot and has some stories to tell. That authenticity is why he’s survived in the industry for three decades.
Whether he's a hitman in Smokin' Aces or a grieving father in the indie gem Ratcatcher (which, if you haven't seen it, go find it—it’s arguably his best acting), he brings a weight to the screen that you just can't fake.
Essential Tommy Flanagan Watchlist:
- Sons of Anarchy (TV) - The definitive Chibs performance.
- Ratcatcher (Film) - A haunting, beautiful look at 70s Glasgow.
- Gladiator (Film) - For that loyal-to-the-end energy.
- Power Book IV: Force (TV) - Tommy at his most ruthless.
- Braveheart (Film) - Where the journey began.
If you’re looking to catch up on his latest work, keep an eye out for his entrance into the Game of Thrones universe this year. It's likely going to be his biggest role since the SOA days. You can also find most of his back catalog on platforms like Hulu or Starz. Start with Ratcatcher if you want to see the range he’s capable of beyond the tough-guy persona—it’s a side of him most casual fans never see.
Next Steps:
Check out Ratcatcher on streaming services like Criterion or BFI Player to see his most critically acclaimed dramatic performance. Then, prepare for his debut in House of the Dragon by revisiting the "Northern" lore of the series, as his character Roderick Dustin is a major player in the upcoming "Dance of the Dragons" battles.