Dervla Kirwan
Biography
Dervla Kirwan is an Irish actress born on October 24, 1971, in Churchtown, Dublin, Ireland. Her father worked as an insurance broker, and her mother was a language teacher. She is the youngest of three daughters and is a great-granddaughter of Margaret Collins-O'Driscoll, who was a sister of the Irish leader Michael Collins. Kirwan is well known for her roles in British television shows such as Ballykissangel and Goodnight Sweetheart. She also appeared in the Doctor Who Christmas special episode titled The Next Doctor. Additionally, she provided the voiceovers for the well-known television advertising campaign featuring the phrase this is not just food for the UK retailer Marks and Spencer.
Career overview
Dervla Kirwan is an Irish actress born on October 24, 1971, in Churchtown, Dublin, Ireland. Her father worked as an insurance broker and her mother was a language teacher, and she is the youngest of three daughters. She is also a great granddaughter of Margaret Collins-O'Driscoll, who was a sister of the Irish leader Michael Collins. Kirwan has built a recognized television career with notable roles in British television shows such as Ballykissangel and Goodnight Sweetheart.
In addition to her television drama work, Kirwan appeared in the Doctor Who Christmas special episode titled The Next Doctor. Beyond her on-screen acting performances, she provided the voiceovers for the well known television advertising campaign featuring the phrase this is not just food for the United Kingdom retailer Marks and Spencer.
Throughout her career, Kirwan has accumulated sixty known acting credits on screen. Her biographical details and professional credits continue to be documented through reference platforms and encyclopedic resources.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
58 titles- House of Guinness (2025) as Agnes Guinness
- The Reunion (2022) as Annabelle Degalais
- Smother (2021) as Val Ahern
- Last Call (2021) as Leticia
- Silent Hours (2021) as DI Jane Ambrose
- The Stranger (2020) as Corinne Price
- The Keeper (2018) as Clarice Friar
- Interlude in Prague (2017) as Frau Luptak
- Safe House (2015) as Elizabeth Ellroy
- Lunacy: The Making of Luna (2015)
- True Detective (2014) as Kate McKitterick
- Luna (2014) as Christine
- Entity (2012) as Ruth Peacock
- Blackout (2012) as Alex
- Injustice (2011) as Jane Travers
- Ondine (2010) as Maura
- The Silence (2010) as Maggie
- Material Girl (2010) as Davina Bailey
- Law & Order: UK (2009)
- Moving On (2009) as Laura
- Doctor Who: The Next Doctor (2008) as Miss Hartigan
- True Dare Kiss (2007) as Phil Tyler
- The One Show (2006) as Self
- Casanova (2005) as Casanova's Mother
- Keeping the Peace (2005) as Narrator (voice)
- Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) as Bundle
- Who Do You Think You Are? (2004) as Self
- 55 Degrees North (2004) as CPS Claire Maxwell
- School for Seduction (2004) as Clare
- The Deputy (2004) as Terri Leonard
- Tetris: From Russia with Love (2004) as Narrator
- A Tale of Two Wives (2003) as Charlie Goodman
- Pete's Meteor (2002) as Carmel
- Richard & Judy (2001) as Self
- The Bombmaker (2001) as Andrea Hayes
- Shades (2001) as Maeve Sullivan
- Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) (2000)
- Hearts and Bones (2000) as Emma Rose
- Happy Birthday Shakespeare (2000) as Kate Green
- Loose Women (1999) as Self
- Eureka Street (1999) as Aoirghe Jenkins
- The Greatest Store in the World (1999) as Mum
- The Dark Room (1999) as Jinx
- The Flint Street Nativity (1999) as Angel Gabriel/Jaye Dackers
- The Dark Room (1999) as Jane 'Jinx' Kingsley
- With or Without You (1999) as Rosie Boyd
- Sex in a Cold Climate (1998) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Mr White Goes To Westminster (1997)
- Ballykissangel (1996) as Assumpta Fitzgerald
- War of the Buttons (1994) as Adult Marie (Voice)
- Shooting Stars (1993) as Self
- Goodnight Sweetheart (1993) as Phoebe Sparrow
- A Time to Dance (1992) as Bernadette Kennedy
- December Bride (1990) as Young Martha
- The Lilac Bus (1990) as Celia
- Troubles (1988) as Viola 'Neill
- Casualty (1986) as Anna
- The Fantasist (1986) as Fiona
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Dervla Kirwan best known for?
Dervla Kirwan is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Stranger (2020), True Detective (2014), Miss Sadie Thompson (1953), Ondine (2010).
When and where was Dervla Kirwan born?
Dervla Kirwan was born on October 24, 1971 in Churchtown, Dublin, Ireland.
How many credits does Dervla Kirwan have?
Dervla Kirwan has accumulated over 58 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1986 to 2025.
What is Dervla Kirwan's background in cinema and television?
Dervla Kirwan is an Irish actress born on October 24, 1971, in Churchtown, Dublin, Ireland. Her father worked as an insurance broker, and her mother was a language teacher. She is the youngest of three daughters and is a great-granddaughter of Margaret Collins-O'Driscoll, who was a sister of the Irish leader Michael Co...
Dervla Kirwan by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Troubles (1988) as Viola 'Neill — aged about 16
- True Detective (2014) as Kate McKitterick — aged about 42
- Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) as Bundle — aged about 32
- Shooting Stars (1993) as Self — aged about 21
- Moving On (2009) as Laura — aged about 37
- The Stranger (2020) as Corinne Price — aged about 48
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