Let’s be honest — the name Domhnall Gleeson might look a bit daunting at first glance (go ahead, it rhymes with “tonal”). And sure, when you find out his dad is none other than the legendary Irish actor Brendan Gleeson, it’s easy to wonder if success was handed to him. But once you get past those initial impressions, it becomes clear that Domhnall Gleeson has carved out his own impressive path through sheer talent and versatility.
At first, Domhnall Gleeson wasn’t even sure he wanted to act — can you believe that? Yet, early on, he dipped his toes into the world of television with roles in U.K. miniseries like Rebel Heart (BBC, 2001) and The Last Furlong (RTE, 2005). From there, Domhnall Gleeson gradually transitioned into theater, taking on challenging parts in plays such as David Mamet’s American Buffalo and Martin McDonagh’s The Lieutenant of Inishmore. These experiences clearly shaped his craft.
But here’s where things really started to take off for Domhnall Gleeson: he didn’t just stick to acting. In 2009, he wrote and directed his own short film, What Will Survive Us, showing off his creative range. Then came Your Bad Self (RTE, 2010), an Irish sketch-comedy series where Domhnall Gleeson not only performed but also contributed as a writer — proving he had more than one string to his bow.
Of course, international audiences really began to take notice when Domhnall Gleeson stepped into the wizarding world as Bill Weasley in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) and Part 2 (2011). Around the same time, he delivered powerful performances in films like Never Let Me Go (2010) and the Coen brothers’ True Grit (2010), cementing his reputation beyond just being someone’s son.
By 2012, Domhnall Gleeson seemed to fully embrace his place in the industry, turning in strong work in Shadow Dancer and Anna Karenina. And from that point on, the momentum never slowed. He landed major roles in critically acclaimed projects — think the sci-fi romance Ex Machina (2015) and the heartfelt period piece Brooklyn (2015). Not to mention standout appearances in heavy-hitters like Alejandro González Iñárritu’s The Revenant (2015), Darren Aronofsky’s intense mother! (2017), and Doug Liman’s American Made (2017).
Oh, and let’s not forget — Domhnall Gleeson also made his mark in a galaxy far, far away, playing General Hux in both Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). Honestly, it’s hard to imagine anyone else in that role.
So yeah, Domhnall Gleeson may have started out hesitant, but now? He’s not just comfortable as an actor — he’s thriving.
When it comes to Domhnall Gleeson’s film career, one standout performance that truly shines is in Brooklyn (2015), which happens to be his highest-rated movie. Critics and audiences alike praised the film, and Domhnall Gleeson’s role contributed significantly to its success. On the other hand, not every project has been met with the same level of acclaim—The Kitchen (2019) stands out as Domhnall Gleeson’s lowest-rated film to date. While Domhnall Gleeson has consistently taken on diverse roles, these two films mark the opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of critical reception. Still, Domhnall Gleeson continues to be a compelling presence in modern cinema.