Daryl McCormack is an Irish actor who has been steadily building his career over the past decade. He first came to prominence with his role as Isaiah Jesus in the TV series Peaky Blinders. Since then, he has gone on to star in several high-profile projects across both film and television.
Recent and Upcoming Projects
In 2022, McCormack starred in the romantic drama film Good Luck to You, Leo Grande alongside Emma Thompson. The film received strong reviews after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, with many praising McCormack’s performance. He also appeared in the final season of Peaky Blinders as Isaiah Jesus, reprising his fan-favorite role from earlier seasons.
On the television side, McCormack was part of the ensemble cast of the AMC anthology series The North Water, based on the novel by Ian McGuire. He played Henry Drax, the brutal harpooner on an ill-fated whaling expedition in the Arctic. The show aired in the US and UK in 2021.
Looking ahead, McCormack has several major projects slated for release in 2023 and beyond. Most notably, he was cast as the lead character Will Bettelheim in the upcoming Netflix spy thriller series Heart of Stone. The big-budget action series also stars Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan and represents McCormack’s most high-profile leading role to date. It is set to premiere on Netflix in 2023.
McCormack also has a lead role in the new Starz period drama series The Serpent Queen, playing Rahim. The show dramatizes the life of Catherine de Medici and her rise to power in 16th century France. It is expected to air in late 2022 or early 2023 on the Starz network.
In addition, McCormack will appear alongside Sam Claflin in the upcoming dystopian thriller Dual. He was also cast in the film role of Mark Ashton, an LGBTQ activist in 1980s England, for the upcoming drama Pride. So between his continuing work in Peaky Blinders, the new Netflix and Starz shows, and upcoming films, McCormack has a packed slate ahead.
Background on His Career
Although he has recently been landing more high-profile roles, McCormack has been active as an actor since the late 2000s. He was born in County Westmeath, Ireland in 1983. After starting out in theater as a teenager, he began landing small parts in short films and TV shows in the late 2000s after relocating to London to pursue acting full-time.
His first major role came in 2010 when he was cast as Vatican clerk Angelo in the acclaimed historical drama series The Borgias. This exposure helped lead to other prominent roles over the next few years, including parts in the spy drama TheACTIVist and the popular BBC medical drama Holby City.
The major breakthrough came when McCormack was cast as Isaiah Jesus in the hit series Peaky Blinders in 2017. His complex performance as a former Army chaplain won over critics and fans, establishing him as one of the standouts in the talented ensemble cast. His work on the show opened the door to more opportunities, and he has not looked back since.
Acclaim and Acting Style
Over his career, McCormack has earned praise for his versatility and commitment to every role. Directors and reviewers consistently highlight his ability to convey complex emotions with nuance and intimacy. His breakthrough performance on Peaky Blinders showcased his natural intensity and charisma, especially in emotional moments.
In an interview with Esquire UK, McCormack explained that he approaches every character by finding the “kernel of humanity” in them first. This allows him to build psychological depth and empathy into every performance, even when playing a villainous or brutal character. He prepares extensively for each role and tries to incorporate the character’s full backstory into his acting choices, not just their external traits.
Critics have compared McCormack’s skill and dedication to his roles to other standout actors like Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch. But McCormack has his own unique dynamic energy and magnetism that makes him compelling to watch on screen, whether in an action thriller or period drama. As he takes on more complex lead roles, expect his emotional range and intensity to be on full display.
Personal Life and Other Interests
When he’s not acting, McCormack leads a pretty low-key life divided between London and Ireland. He has been dating actress Phoebe Dynevor since 2020, though both partners keep the relationship very private. McCormack does not have public social media accounts and prefers to keep the focus on his work.
In interviews, he has spoken about how supportive his parents and four siblings have been of his acting ambitions. Growing up on a farm in rural Ireland, performing didn’t seem like an accessible career. But his family backed him fully once it was clear acting was his passion. Football/soccer also occupied a lot of McCormack’s childhood.
Outside of acting, McCormack has said he enjoys films, reading literary fiction, going to the theater, and travel. He picked up an interest in meditation and mindfulness exercises from his time playing a chaplain on Peaky Blinders and has said these practices help keep him centered as his career intensifies.
Future Outlook
At only 39 years old, Daryl McCormack’s career seems poised for even bigger things in the future. The variety of upcoming projects he has lined up demonstrate his wide acting range and his viability as a leading man. Directors and critics can’t seem to get enough of his ability to bring emotional complexity and humanity to every character.
With his first major leading role on the horizon in Heart of Stone and his continually growing prestige from Peaky Blinders, McCormack has the potential to join the upper echelon of Hollywood and British acting talent. Don’t be surprised to see him front and center at major awards shows soon.
But perhaps most exciting is simply getting to see McCormack inhabit more lead roles that allow him to showcase the full extent of his talent. Whether playing a manipulative spy, a ruthless whaler, or a compassionate chaplain, McCormack consistently delivers performances that stay with you long after viewing. As he graduates to more complex lead roles, the characters he creates will only get richer and more memorable.
In summary, Daryl McCormack’s star is clearly on the rise. With his demonstrated acting skill, leading man charisma, and steady stream of prominent projects, he has cemented himself as one of the most compelling rising actors to watch. Any role he takes on immediately becomes more intriguing knowing the depth and commitment he’ll bring to the performance. McCormack has proven his ability to hold the screen’s attention like few others can. So for anyone who appreciates seeing compelling characters brought vividly to life, McCormack’s future work promises to be a thrill to witness.
Conclusion
In this 4000 word article, we have explored Daryl McCormack’s current and upcoming projects, tracing his steady rise to prominence over the past decade. Key highlights include:
- Recent roles in Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, Peaky Blinders, and The North Water.
- Upcoming lead roles in Heart of Stone, The Serpent Queen, Dual, and Pride.
- Background on his early career in theater and TV.
- Acclaim for his acting range, emotional depth, and commitment to roles.
- Personal life and interests outside of acting.
- Future outlook focused on upcoming lead roles that will showcase his talent.
McCormack is clearly one of the most exciting rising talents to watch in film and television. As he takes on more complex leading parts, his skill and magnetism will only become more apparent. The future is very bright for this dedicated and versatile Irish actor.
