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Pauline McLynn

Acting Born Jul 11, 1962 Sligo, Republic of Ireland 69 credits
69
Total Credits
2025
66 Years Career Span
25
Vault Titles
10
Key Co-Stars

Biography

Pauline McLynn is an Irish character actress. Born on 11 July 1962, in Sligo, Republic of Ireland, she has a career spanning multiple television shows. McLynn is known for her work in various British productions. She has appeared in Channel 4 sitcoms, BBC comedies, and a BBC soap opera. Her acting credits include roles in Father Ted, Shameless, Jam & Jerusalem, and EastEnders. With a career spanning over 71 known credits, McLynn has established herself as a prominent character actress in British television.

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Career

Career overview

Pauline McLynn is a character actress known for her work in television. She has appeared in various British sitcoms and dramas, showcasing her versatility as a performer. McLynn's roles have often been memorable and endearing, contributing to her popularity among audiences.

One of her most notable roles is as a character in the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted. McLynn's portrayal of this character has become iconic, and she has been associated with the show's success. In addition to her work in Father Ted, McLynn has appeared in other Channel 4 productions, including the comedy drama Shameless and the sitcom Jam & Jerusalem. Her performances in these shows have demonstrated her ability to adapt to different genres and tone.

McLynn's acting career has also included appearances in a BBC soap opera, EastEnders. Her work in this long-running series has further solidified her reputation as a talented character actress. With a career spanning multiple television shows, McLynn has established herself as a respected and accomplished performer in the British entertainment industry.

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Frequent co-stars

Career timeline

Safe Harbor
BodkinMan and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps
The Inheritance
HoldingRosie Molloy Gives Up EverythingDoctor Who: Eve of the Daleks
Last Night in SohoRiverdance: The Animated AdventureDeadly Cuts
Out!
Making Noise Quietly: Three ConversationsA Girl from Mogadishu
Johnny English Strikes AgainPilgrimagePilgrimage: The Road to IstanbulCaptain Morten and the Spider QueenDave Allen at Peace
Transformers: The Last KnightDrop Dead WeirdThe Secret ScriptureGameFace
Inside No. 9Noble
Father FigureDermot Morgan: Fearless Funnyman
Pointless CelebritiesCelebrity Antiques Road Trip
The Calling
Demons
Bremner, Bird and Fortune: Silly Money
Jam and JerusalemJam and JerusalemLegends
HeidiGypo
ShamelessThe Island of Inis Cool
The Return
High HopesGina And Stella
IrisBlack Day at Black Rock
QuillsLife ForceNoraAn Everlasting PieceWhen Brendan Met Trudy
Bremner, Bird and FortuneAngela's AshesDark Ages
Her Own Rules
So You Think You're Irish
Silent WitnessNever Mind the BuzzcocksMy Friend Joe
Father Ted
Family
GMTV
Far and Away

Full Filmography

69 titles
  • Safe Harbor (2025) as Brina Walsh
  • Bodkin (2024) as Brónagh McArdle
  • Man and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps (2024) as The Goatherd's Mother
  • The Inheritance (2023) as Jenny Roche
  • Holding (2022) as as Eileen O'Driscoll
  • Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything (2022) as Win Molloy
  • Doctor Who: Eve of the Daleks (2022) as Mary
  • Last Night in Soho (2021) as Carol
  • Riverdance: The Animated Adventure (2021) as Grandma (voice)
  • Deadly Cuts (2021) as Shelley Sherlock
  • Out! (2020) as Joan
  • Making Noise Quietly: Three Conversations (2019) as Mildred
  • A Girl from Mogadishu (2019) as L'assistante sociale
  • Johnny English Strikes Again (2018) as Mrs. Trattner
  • Pilgrimage (2018) as Self
  • Pilgrimage: The Road to Istanbul (2018)
  • Captain Morten and the Spider Queen (2018) as Aunt Annabelle / The Spider Queen (voice)
  • Dave Allen at Peace (2018) as Sister Mary
  • Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) as Female Researcher
  • Drop Dead Weird (2017) as Bunni
  • The Secret Scripture (2017) as Anne McCartney
  • GameFace (2017) as Mum
  • Inside No. 9 (2014) as Oona
  • Noble (2014) as Mother Superior
  • Father Figure (2013) as Mary Whyte
  • Dermot Morgan: Fearless Funnyman (2013) as Self
  • Pointless Celebrities (2011) as Self
  • Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (2011) as Self - Participant
  • The Calling (2010) as Sister Hilda
  • Demons (2009)
  • Bremner, Bird and Fortune: Silly Money (2008) as Dinner Guest
  • Jam and Jerusalem (2006) as Tip Haddem
  • Jam and Jerusalem (2006) as Tippi Haddem
  • Legends (2006) as Self - Narrator (voice)
  • Heidi (2005) as Aunt Detie
  • Gypo (2005) as Helen
  • Shameless (2004) as Libby Croker
  • The Island of Inis Cool (2004) as Mrs Turlock (voice)
  • The Return (2003) as Laura
  • High Hopes (2002)
  • Gina And Stella (2002)
  • Iris (2001) as Maureen
  • Black Day at Black Rock (2001)
  • Quills (2000) as Mademoiselle Clairwil
  • Life Force (2000) as Polly Phemus
  • Nora (2000) as Miss Kennedy
  • An Everlasting Piece (2000) as Gerty
  • When Brendan Met Trudy (2000) as Nuala
  • The Most Fertile Man in Ireland (2000) as Maeve
  • Bremner, Bird and Fortune (1999)
  • Angela's Ashes (1999) as Aunt Aggie
  • Dark Ages (1999) as Agnes
  • Her Own Rules (1998) as Constable Williams
  • So You Think You're Irish (1997) as Self
  • Silent Witness (1996) as Mary Thorpe
  • Never Mind the Buzzcocks (1996) as Self
  • My Friend Joe (1996) as Ms. Doyle
  • Father Ted (1995) as Mrs. Doyle
  • Family (1994) as Denise
  • GMTV (1993) as Self
  • Far and Away (1992) as Prostitute
  • Have I Got News for You (1990) as Self
  • Troubles (1988) as Nurse
  • French & Saunders (1987) as Enthusiastic Fan
  • The Playboy of the Western World (1985) as Honor Blake
  • Coronation Street (1960) as Maggie Driscoll
  • TV to go
  • Sweet Delusion as Janet
  • Gameface as Marcella's Mum

Frequently Asked Questions

What movies or TV shows is Pauline McLynn best known for?

Pauline McLynn is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Regression (2015), Don't Torture a Duckling (1972), Last Night in Soho (2021), Johnny English Strikes Again (2018).

When and where was Pauline McLynn born?

Pauline McLynn was born on July 11, 1962 in Sligo, Republic of Ireland.

How many credits does Pauline McLynn have?

Pauline McLynn has accumulated over 69 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1960 to 2025.

What is Pauline McLynn's background in cinema and television?

Pauline McLynn is an Irish character actress. Born on 11 July 1962, in Sligo, Republic of Ireland, she has a career spanning multiple television shows. McLynn is known for her work in various British productions. She has appeared in Channel 4 sitcoms, BBC comedies, and a BBC soap opera. Her acting credits include roles...