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Brian Gleeson

Brian Gleeson

Actor, also producer and writer · Born November 14, 1987 (38) · Dublin, Ireland

Brian Gleeson is an Irish actor. Gleeson was born in Dublin, the son of actor Brendan Gleeson and his wife Mary (Weldon). He is the brother of actor Domhnall Gleeson and writer Rúairí Gleeson. He grew up in Malahide, Dublin. As a child, he appeared in school plays, before joining the Gaiety's Youth Theatre Company. Gleeson started acting in 2006, first appearing alongside his father in The Tiger's Tail directed by John Boorman, which was filmed the year he completed the Leaving Certificate. In 2010, Gleeson appeared as Hughie in the first season of Love/Hate, and earned a nomination for an Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Television) for the role. He also appeared in the Hollywood film The Eagle. He appeared in the 2012 Academy Award nominated film Snow White and the Huntsman. Gleeson portrayed the lead role in Standby opposite Jessica Paré in 2014. The same year, he filmed Tiger Raid, an Iraq War drama; it was released in 2016. Along with his father Brendan and brother Domhnall, Gleeson appeared in the Enda Walsh play The Walworth Farce in early 2015. He starred as Jimmy in the 2016 Irish drama series Rebellion, based on the 1916 Easter Rising.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 14, 1987 (38)
From
Dublin, Ireland
Works as
Actor, also producer and writer
Titles
31 on Motif · 45 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 157 days to Oct 28Down 18% in 30 days

What are Brian Gleeson's films like?

Across their 22 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy4 titlesTypical Motif score: 44th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama4 titlesTypical Motif score: 51st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action2 titlesTypical Motif score: 50th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Motif 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
Bonds
28%
Self
26%
Morality
16%
Survival
12%
Power
7%
Society
6%
Ideas
4%
Family bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeParenthood2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGuilt2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 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 5 · Serious 2 · Dark 6

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

Grounded 5 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 3

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 2 · Charged 5 · Intense 6

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

Steady 5 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 3

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

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 2

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

Casual 4 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 3

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 3 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 6

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

A split, not a type: Resolved 7 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

9 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 9 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 9
Hero
2 of 9
Shadow
2 of 9
Trickster
1 of 9
Threshold guardian
1 of 9
Mentor
1 of 9
Show the 9 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
14
Melancholic
9
Dread
7
Warm
6
Hopeful
5
Other
21

How their films linger

Thought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet9
  • Ambiguous7
  • Cyclical1

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 Brian Gleeson's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 23 of their 31 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (8).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Brian Gleeson's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Motif 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

45 credits, 31 with a Motif page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Ink(2026)

    Actor

    Motif score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Under Salt Marsh (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 5 episodes · as Mac Jones

  • Craggy Confidant (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2025)

    as Pete

  • National Theatre Live: The Brightening Air (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2025)

    as Stephen

  • Atomic(2025)

    Show 5 episodes · as Mark Ellis

    Motif score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • I Found a Place (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2024)

    Actor

  • Songs of Blood and Destiny (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • Bad Sisters(2022)

    Show 10 episodes · as Thomas Claffin

    Motif score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Lazarus Project(2022)

    Show 16 episodes · as Ross Keane

    Motif score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Frank of Ireland(2021)

    Show 6 episodes · Creator · Executive Producer · Writer · as Frank Marron

    Motif score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Death of a Ladies' Man(2020)

    as Ben O'Shea

    Motif score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Mandalorian(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Brendol Hux

    Motif score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Hellboy(2019)

    as Merlin

    Motif score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Resistance (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 5 episodes · as Jimmy Mahon

  • Taken Down(2018)

    Show 6 episodes · as Wayne

    Motif score: 25th percentile of all shows

  • The Bisexual(2018)

    Show 6 episodes · as Gabe

    Motif score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • Psychic (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2018)

    as Michelangelo

  • National Theatre Live: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Phantom Thread(2017)

    as Dr. Robert Hardy

    Motif score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Angela's Christmas(2017)

    as Guard (voice)

    Motif score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Mother!(2017)

    as Younger Brother

    Motif score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Logan Lucky(2017)

    as Sam Bang

    Motif score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Assassin's Creed(2016)

    as Young Joseph

    Motif score: 24th percentile of all films

  • The Flag (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)

    as Blacksod

  • Tiger Raid(2016)

    as Joe

    Motif score: 15th percentile of all films

  • History's Future (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)

    as Driver

  • Rebellion(2016)

    Show 5 episodes · as Jimmy Mahon

    Motif score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Stonemouth(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as Powell Imrie

    Motif score: 29th percentile of all shows

  • Standby(2014)

    as Alan

    Motif score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Darkness on the Edge of Town(2014)

    as Virgil O'Riley

    Motif score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Quirke(2013)

    Show 3 episodes · as Sinclair

    Motif score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Peaky Blinders(2013)

    Show 5 episodes · as Jimmy McCavern

    Motif score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • The Bachelor Weekend(2013)

    as Simon

    Motif score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Stay(2013)

    as Liam

    Motif score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Life's a Breeze(2013)

    as Hawk Man

    Motif score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • How to be Happy (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2013)

    as Cormac

  • Coda (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2013)

    as Doorman #1 (voice)

  • Snow White and the Huntsman(2012)

    as Gus

    Motif score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Wake Wood(2009)

    as Martin O'Shea

    Motif score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Eagle(2011)

    as Traveller #1

    Motif score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Love/Hate(2010)

    Show 4 episodes · as Hughie Power

    Motif score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Noreen (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    as Frank

  • What Will Survive of Us (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2009)

    as John

  • Single-Handed(2007)

    Show 6 episodes · as Cathal

    Motif score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • The Tiger's Tail(2006)

    as Connor O'Leary

    Motif score: 33rd percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 45 titles, 44 of them dated from 2006 to 2026; peak year 2018.

Biggest box office

Phantom Thread (2017)

$53M worldwide

Highest rated

Phantom Thread (2017)

Motif 93rd

Most popular right now

The Lazarus Project (2022)

Film career

20062026

Peak 2018 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 5 Motif 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.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting45 of 45: 44 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Motif score43rdWriting1 of 45: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing1 of 45: 0 only producing, 1 with another roleOther crew1 of 45: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

2000s3 · acting2010s31 · acting2020s10 · 10 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 14 roles
0616

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 Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Brian Gleeson's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 42nd percentile, the median of all 18; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 46th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Motif score across 31 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th14
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 31 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser7
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed15

Most divisive · actor

Ink (2026)

87th percentile spread · 24% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Peaky Blinders (2013)

Motif 99th · 95% liked

Reviewers score the acting 77/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 83, detractors 50. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; 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 Motif score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif 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 Brian Gleeson's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 Motif titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles18–91 · median 52 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles21–65 · median 47 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 31
Profanity4 titlesmedian 62 · intenseMedian of all films: 35
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 34 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense6 titles24–79 · median 48 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian 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 Brian Gleeson work with?

People who share at least 2 of Brian Gleeson's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Eva Birthistle shares the most, 3.

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers