You’ve probably seen his face and thought, "Wait, I know that guy." Nicholas Cirillo has this weird, magnetic ability to show up in a massive hit, stay for just a few episodes, and somehow walk away as the person everyone is Googling. He doesn’t just play characters; he inhabits these gritty, often slightly unhinged roles that stick in your brain.
Whether he’s dealing drugs in the marshlands of North Carolina or playing a questionable cousin in the MCU, he brings a specific "dirtbag-charming" energy that is hard to fake. Honestly, if you’re looking for tv shows with nicholas cirillo, you’re basically looking for a masterclass in how to be a supporting actor who feels like a lead.
Let's break down where he’s been and why you should care about where he’s going next.
The Outer Banks Breakout: Barry the Menace
If we are talking about Nicholas Cirillo, we have to start with Outer Banks. He plays Barry. Not exactly a "good guy," but easily one of the most entertaining people on screen. Barry is the local drug dealer/pawn shop owner who has a bizarre, toxic, yet strangely compelling dynamic with Rafe Cameron.
Most actors would play Barry as a one-note thug. Cirillo doesn't do that. He gives Barry this jittery, high-strung intensity that makes you feel like he’s a live wire. You never quite know if he’s going to help the Pogues, screw them over, or just yell "Country Club!" at someone from the window of a beat-up truck.
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The fans love him. Despite being a recurring character rather than a series regular, Barry became a meme-worthy staple of the show. His chemistry with Drew Starkey (Rafe) is often cited by the "OBX" fandom as one of the highlights of the series, purely because both actors seem to be competing to see who can be more unhinged.
From She-Hulk to the Twilight Zone of Black Mirror
Cirillo has this knack for landing in the biggest franchises on the planet. In 2022, he popped up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, he played Ched.
Ched is... well, Ched is a bit of a doofus. He’s Jennifer Walters’ cousin, and he represents that specific kind of family member who is well-meaning but utterly clueless. It was a massive pivot from the gritty streets of the Outer Banks. It proved he could do comedy just as well as he could do "menacing guy with a shotgun."
Then, things got even bigger.
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Entering the Black Mirror Universe
In late 2024 and heading into 2025, the buzz shifted toward his involvement in Black Mirror. Being cast in a Charlie Brooker project is basically a badge of honor for actors who specialize in "heightened reality." He was cast in the seventh season for an episode titled "Common People."
Details on Black Mirror are always kept under a heavy lock and key, but Cirillo playing a character named Shane in a dystopian setting? That’s a match made in heaven. He has the face for it—expressive, a little weary, and capable of conveying a lot of internal panic without saying a word.
The Roles You Might Have Missed
If you’re a real completionist looking for tv shows with nicholas cirillo, you have to dig a little deeper than the Netflix Top 10.
- The Act (Hulu): This was early in his career (2019). He played Luke. It’s a tiny role, but the show itself—about the Gypsy Rose Blanchard case—was a massive critical hit. It’s where he started honing that "troubled youth" archetype.
- Teenage Bounty Hunters: This show was cancelled way too soon. Cirillo played Jennings. It was a cult favorite, and if you haven't seen it, it’s worth a binge just for the sharp writing.
- Stranger Things: Blink and you’ll miss him, but he’s there. He played a "Teenager" in Season 3. It’s the classic "right of passage" for any young actor filming in the Atlanta/Southeast area.
- Poker Face: This is arguably one of his best guest spots. In the episode "Rest in Metal," he plays Gavin, a drummer for a struggling metal band. Without spoiling anything, let's just say his character’s fate is the catalyst for the entire episode's mystery. He had to learn how to look like a convincing drummer, and he absolutely nailed the "exhausted roadie" vibe.
Why He’s Not Just "The Guy From That One Show"
What makes Nicholas Cirillo's filmography interesting isn't just the titles; it's the range. He’s a Wilkesboro, North Carolina native, and he carries a bit of that Southern authenticity with him. He doesn't feel like a "Hollywood" actor. He feels like a guy you’d actually run into at a gas station in the middle of nowhere.
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He recently branched out by starting his own production company, Enzo Entertainment, with fellow actor Matthew Montemaro. This is a big move. It shows he’s not interested in just waiting for the phone to ring; he’s trying to create the kind of gritty, character-driven stories he clearly loves.
What to Watch Next
If you’ve finished your Outer Banks rewatch and you’re caught up on his Marvel cameos, keep an eye out for his 2025/2026 projects.
- Murdaugh: Death in the Family: He’s playing Connor Cook in this miniseries. Given how obsessed the world is with the Murdaugh trial, this is bound to be a huge hit.
- The 4:30 Movie: While technically a film, this Kevin Smith project has been making waves. Cirillo plays "Burny," and it’s a nostalgic look at 80s movie culture.
- Charlie Harper: Another upcoming project where he’s taking a leading role.
Actionable Insight for Fans: If you want to support his work beyond just streaming, follow his production company, Enzo Entertainment. They are focusing on indie projects that usually offer much meatier roles than the "Cousin Cheds" of the world. Also, if you haven't seen Poker Face yet, make that your priority. It’s the best example of his ability to carry a guest-heavy episode with pure charisma.
The era of Nicholas Cirillo being "that guy from that show" is ending. He’s becoming the guy who makes the show worth watching in the first place.