The year of Domhnall Gleeson: ‘No one talks about actors’ dedication. But I had a perm for five months!’
He started in the Harry Potter films and has since become ubiquitous, playing every type of character: romcom leads, evil villains, comical idiots. He even starred in a Taylor Swift video. So how does he stay so under the radar?
TL;DR
- Domhnall Gleeson has multiple projects releasing, including 'The Incomer', 'The Paper' season two, and Werner Herzog's 'Bucking Fastard'.
- He starred in Taylor Swift's music video for 'Opalite' after a joke made on The Graham Norton Show.
- Gleeson is committed to protecting his privacy, not engaging with social media and being selective about personal questions.
- His career showcases versatility, with roles ranging from romantic leads to villains and comical characters across various genres.
- He is praised for his accent work and dedication to roles, including a four-month perm for 'The Incomer'.
- Gleeson plays a bureaucrat in 'The Incomer', an eccentric Scottish comedy about isolation and acceptance.
- In 'The Paper', he portrays an idealistic editor, and he identifies as 'very much on the left', supporting pro-journalism themes.
- He did extensive research for 'The Paper', shadowing real journalists, and expresses concern over the decline of local news.
- Gleeson comes from a theatrical family, with his father Brendan Gleeson also being a well-known actor.
- He initially aimed to write and direct but discovered a talent for acting through an unexpected acceptance speech.
- His acting career launched with 'The Lieutenant of Inishmore', leading to a Tony nomination for 'The Walworth Farce'.
- He has collaborated frequently with his father and brother Brian, embracing challenging work dynamics for creative sparks.
- Gleeson acknowledges being star-struck by figures like the Coen brothers and Paul Thomas Anderson.
- In 'Bucking Fastard', he plays a social worker based on a true story of twin sisters, with his character having elements of Herzog himself.
- He finds his happiness in the unpredictability of his next job and the challenges it presents.