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Dervla Kirwan

Dervla Kirwan

Actor · Born October 24, 1971 (55) · Churchtown, Dublin, Ireland

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.   Dervla Kirwan (born 24 October 1971) is an Irish actress famous for roles in British television shows such as Ballykissangel and Goodnight Sweetheart. She also appeared in the Doctor Who Christmas special episode, "The Next Doctor" and provided the voiceovers for the well-known "this is not just food" television advertising campaign for UK retailer Marks & Spencer. Kirwan was born in Churchtown, Dublin, Ireland. Her father was an insurance broker, and her mother was a language teacher. She is the youngest of three daughters. Dervla is a great grand-daughter of Margaret Collins-O'Driscoll who was a sister of Michael Collins, one of the Irish leaders during the War of Independence. Description above from the Wikipedia article Dervla Kirwan,  licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 24, 1971 (55)
From
Churchtown, Dublin, Ireland
Works as
Actor
Titles
27 on MovieCove · 54 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 3% in 30 days

What are Dervla Kirwan's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 19th percentile
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
38%
Bonds
28%
Survival
11%
Power
9%
Self
7%
Ideas
4%
Society
2%
Family bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGuilt3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 10 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 3 · Serious 2 · Dark 5

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 6 · Intense 2

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 6 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 5 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 1

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 5 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 3 of 7 analyzed roles.

Hero
3 of 7
Mentor
2 of 7
Ally
1 of 7
Threshold guardian
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
13
Dread
7
Melancholic
8
Joyful
2
Warm
2
Other
10

How their films linger

Unsettling8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteInfuriating2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet11
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Dervla Kirwan's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 20 of their 27 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (8).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Dervla Kirwan's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

54 credits, 27 with a MovieCove page; 6 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • House of Guinness(2025)

    Show 8 episodes · as Agnes Guinness

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • The Reunion(2022)

    Show 6 episodes · as Annabelle Degalais

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all shows

  • Silent Hours(2021)

    as DI Jane Ambrose

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Last Call(2021)

    as Leticia

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Smother(2021)

    Show 18 episodes · as Val Ahern

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • The Stranger(2020)

    Show 8 episodes · as Corinne Price

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • The Keeper(2018)

    as Clarice Friar

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Interlude in Prague(2017)

    as Frau Luptak

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Silent Hours (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 3 episodes · as DI Jane Ambrose

  • Lunacy: The Making of Luna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • Safe House(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Elizabeth Ellroy

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • Luna(2014)

    as Christine

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • True Detective(2014)

    Show 3 episodes · as Kate McKitterick

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Entity(2012)

    as Ruth Peacock

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Blackout(2012)

    Show 3 episodes · as Alex

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Injustice(2011)

    Show 5 episodes · as Jane Travers

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • The Silence(2010)

    Show 4 episodes · as Maggie

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Ondine(2009)

    as Maura

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Material Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 6 episodes · as Davina Bailey

  • Moving On(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Laura

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Law & Order: UK(2009)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Doctor Who: The Next Doctor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Miss Hartigan

  • True Dare Kiss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 6 episodes · as Phil Tyler

  • Keeping the Peace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Casanova (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 3 episodes · as Casanova's Mother

  • Agatha Christie's Marple(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Bundle

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • School for Seduction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Clare

  • 55 Degrees North (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 14 episodes · as CPS Claire Maxwell

  • The Deputy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Terri Leonard

  • Tetris: From Russia with Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Narrator

  • A Tale of Two Wives(2003)

    as Charlie Goodman

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Pete's Meteor(1998)

    as Carmel

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Shades (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 6 episodes · as Maeve Sullivan

  • The Bombmaker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Andrea Hayes

  • Hearts and Bones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 13 episodes · as Emma Rose

  • Happy Birthday Shakespeare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Kate Green

  • Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Greatest Store in the World(1999)

    as Mum

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Flint Street Nativity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Angel Gabriel/Jaye Dackers

  • Eureka Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 4 episodes · as Aoirghe Jenkins

  • With or Without You(1999)

    as Rosie Boyd

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Dark Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Jane 'Jinx' Kingsley

  • The Dark Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jinx

  • Mr White Goes To Westminster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Dalziel and Pascoe(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · as Rye Pomona

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Ballykissangel(1996)

    Show 25 episodes · as Assumpta Fitzgerald

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • War of the Buttons(1994)

    as Adult Marie (Voice)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Goodnight Sweetheart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 31 episodes · as Phoebe Sparrow

  • A Time to Dance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 3 episodes · as Bernadette Kennedy

  • December Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Young Martha

  • The Lilac Bus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Celia

  • Troubles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 2 episodes · as Viola 'Neill

  • Casualty(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Anna

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • The Fantasist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Fiona

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 54 titles from 1986 to 2025; peak year 2009.

Biggest box office

The Keeper (2018)

$1.9M worldwide

Highest rated

The Keeper (2018)

Midcredits 89th

Most popular right now

The Stranger (2020)

Film career

19862025

Peak 2009 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1993Screen debut· Goodnight Sweetheart
  • 2008First film· Doctor Who: The Next Doctor
  • 2012First top-billed film· Entity

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting54 of 54: 54 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score63rd

By decade

1980s3 · acting1990s14 · acting2000s18 · acting2010s13 · acting2020s6 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 20% of 5 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Dervla Kirwan's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 49th percentile, the median of all 12; across their 10 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 49th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Approval · how many liked their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Reach · how many have seen their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Midcredits score across 27 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th9

Shape of the crowd

12 of their 27 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser10
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · actor

Last Call (2021)

88th percentile spread · 52% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

True Detective (2014)

Midcredits 98th · 95% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 9 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 36. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Dervla Kirwan's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles40–62 · median 56 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity5 titles28–63 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 63 · intenseMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 52 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 50 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Dervla Kirwan work with?

People who share at least 2 of Dervla Kirwan's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Hugh Bonneville shares the most, 2.

Actors

Producers

Mixed roles