Ian McElhinney
Biography
Ian McElhinney is a Northern Irish actor and director. Born on August 19, 1948, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, he has appeared in numerous television series spanning over forty years. His notable roles include appearances in Taggart, Hornblower, Cold Feet, and The Tudors. He is also known for his performances in Game of Thrones, The Fall, and Derry Girls. With a career spanning more than four decades, McElhinney has accumulated a significant number of credits, totaling 124 known credits. He is a male actor, and his place of birth is Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Career overview
Ian McElhinney is a Northern Irish actor with a career spanning over forty years. He has appeared in numerous television series, including notable roles in productions such as Taggart, Hornblower, Cold Feet, and The Tudors. McElhinney's extensive experience in television has allowed him to take on a wide range of characters and genres.
In recent years, McElhinney has gained recognition for his performances in several notable roles. He has appeared as Barristan Selmy in Game of Thrones, a character in a popular television series. Additionally, he has played the roles of Morgan Monroe in The Fall and Granda Joe in Derry Girls. These performances demonstrate McElhinney's versatility as an actor and his ability to take on complex and memorable characters.
Throughout his career, McElhinney has accumulated a significant number of credits, with over 124 known credits to his name. Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on August 19, 1948, McElhinney has established himself as a respected and accomplished actor in the television industry. His extensive experience and notable performances have solidified his position as a talented and sought-after actor.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
125 titles- Committed (2027)
- Finnegan's Foursome (2026) as Jack Finnegan
- The Lost Children of Tuam (2026)
- Small Town, Big Story (2025) as Reverend Patterson
- High Country (2024) as Sam Dryson
- Secrets of The Christmas Market (2024) as Narrator
- A Small Light (2023) as Johannes Kleiman
- The Boys in the Boat (2023) as Elderly Joe Rantz
- The Last Rifleman (2023) as Tom Malcolmson
- Suspicion (2022) as Grandad
- The Ulysses Project (2022) as Mr. Deasy / Barrister JJ Molloy
- Andor: A Disney+ Day Special Look (2022) as General Jan Dodonna (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The Outlaws (2021) as John Snr
- Bloodlands (2021) as Adam Corry
- Father Father (2019)
- Lost Lives (2019) as Self (voice)
- Krypton (2018) as Val-El
- Derry Girls (2018) as Granda Joe
- Mrs Wilson (2018) as Father Timothy
- Zoo (2018) as Mr. Shawcross
- Dave Allen at Peace (2018) as Priest
- Bad Day for the Cut (2017) as Eamon
- The Journey (2017) as Rory O'Suaird
- To Be Frank Carson (2017) as Self
- Kat & Alfie: Redwater (2017) as Lance
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) as General Dodonna
- Rebellion (2016) as Edward Butler
- Sacrifice (2016) as D.I. McKie
- The Truth Commissioner (2016) as James Fenton
- Unforgotten (2015) as Lord Tony Hume
- The Frankenstein Chronicles (2015) as Dr. Lenox
- A Patch of Fog (2015) as Freddie Clarke
- Game of Thrones The IMAX Experience (2015) as Barristan Selmy
- Game of Thrones: A Day in the Life (2015) as Self
- Van Morrison – Up on Cyprus Avenue (2015) as Narrator
- The Death of a Projectionist (2015) as Gerry
- Babylon (2014) as Maher
- Quirke (2014) as Bill Latimer
- The Fall (2013) as Morgan Monroe
- Wodehouse In Exile (2013) as Major Cussen
- Ripper Street (2012) as Theodore Swift
- Titanic: Blood and Steel (2012) as Sir Henry Carlton
- Bomb Squad Men: The Long Walk (2012) as Narrator
- Titanic: Born in Belfast (2012) as Narrator
- Game of Thrones (2011) as Barristan Selmy
- Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (2011) as Self - Participant
- Brendan Smyth: Betrayal of Trust (2011) as Abbot Smith
- Leap Year (2010) as Priest
- Three Wise Women (2010) as David
- An Old Fashioned Christmas (2010) as Sean
- Make it New John (2010) as John
- Storyland (2009) as Gerard
- Triage (2009) as Ivan
- Scapegoat (2009) as H. A. McVeigh QC
- City of Ember (2008) as Builder
- Fairy Tales (2008) as Vice Chancellor Ralph Graham
- Clay (2008) as Father O'Mahoney
- Of Best Intentions (2008)
- The Tudors (2007) as Pope Clement VII
- Single-Handed (2007) as Ex-Garda Sergeant Gerry Driscoll
- Closing the Ring (2007) as Cathal Thomas
- The Front Line (2006) as Mikey
- Doctor Who (2005) as Ko Sharmus
- Omagh (2005) as Stanley McCombe
- On Eagle's Wing (2005) Director
- Hornblower: Loyalty (2003) as Captain Hammond
- No Tears (2002) as Padraig McFadden
- Murphy's Law (2001) as Fulton
- Hornblower: Retribution (2001) as Captain Hammond
- Borstal Boy (2001) as Verreker
- Mapmaker (2001) as Sergeant Devlin
- In Defence (2000) as DCS David Dillne
- The King's Wake (2000) as Athairne
- Queer as Folk (1999) as Clive Jones
- Durango (1999) as Vestor McCarthy
- Cold Feet (1998) as Bill Williams
- Hornblower (1998) as Captain Hammond
- Maisie Raine (1998) as C.S. Jack Freeman
- Touch and Go (1998) as Clive Bevan
- Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant (1998) as Captain Hammond
- Silicone Valerie (1998)
- This Is the Sea (1997) as Da Stokes
- The Boxer (1997) as Reggie Bell
- Wokenwell (1997)
- Hamlet (1996) as Barnardo
- Michael Collins (1996) as Belfast Detective
- The Boy from Mercury (1996) as Brother Dowdall
- Safe And Sound (1996) as Higgins
- Small Faces (1996)
- Hearts and Minds (1995) as Alex
- Life After Life (1995) as Working out governor
- Beyond Reason (1995) as Smythe QC
- Blind Justice (1994) as Father Malone
- A Breed of Heroes (1994) as Father O'Browne
- Circles of Deceit (1993) as Father Fergal
- A Woman's Guide to Adultery (1993) as Martin
- You, Me & Marley (1992) as Reggie Devine
- The Playboys (1992) as Joe Cassidy
- Children of the North (1991) as O'Hare
- Fools of Fortune (1990) as Stranger
- Hidden Agenda (1990) as Jack Cunnigham
- Who Bombed Birmingham? (1990) as Sinn Fein leader
- The Grasscutter (1990) as Brian Deeds
- The Lilac Bus (1990) as Billy
- Shoot to Kill (1990) as ACC Trevor Forbes
- Reefer and the Model (1988) as Reefer
- Wipe Out (1988) as Max Raines
- Naming the Names (1987) as Mr McBride
- A Prayer for the Dying (1987) as Lodger
- The Rockingham Shoot (1987) as John Reilly
- Casualty (1986) as Robert Finch
- Lovejoy (1986) as Ceiran Stow
- Lamb (1986) as Maguire
- The End of the World Man (1986) as Architect
- Shergar (1986) as Damien
- Screen Two (1985) as Working Out Governor
- Screen Two (1985) as Inspector McBride
- Anne Devlin (1984) as Maj. Sirr
- A Woman Calling (1984) as Mr Burke
- Acceptable Levels (1983) as Andy
- Potatohead Blues (1982) as Mousey
- Angel (1982) as Groom
- Playhouse (1974) as Mousey
- So You're Going to Die as Mickey
- Mutant: Year Zero as (voice)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Ian McElhinney best known for?
Ian McElhinney is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Finnegan's Foursome (2026), The Lost Children of Tuam (2026), A Small Light (2023), The Boys in the Boat (2023).
When and where was Ian McElhinney born?
Ian McElhinney was born on August 19, 1948 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
How many credits does Ian McElhinney have?
Ian McElhinney has accumulated over 125 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1974 to 2027.
What is Ian McElhinney's background in cinema and television?
Ian McElhinney is a Northern Irish actor and director. Born on August 19, 1948, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, he has appeared in numerous television series spanning over forty years. His notable roles include appearances in Taggart, Hornblower, Cold Feet, and The Tudors. He is also known for his performances in Game of...