Gwan Domhnall

Gleeson the younger is set to join Han Solo and company in Star Wars, here we rate Ireland’s son.

Young Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson had quite the week, after he was revealed as one of the main cast members of the upcoming Star Wars trilogy. For months now fans and showbiz journalists have been speculating about the secret comings and goings at Lucasfilm Ltd. – so far, so very Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory – and when it emerged a few weeks ago that shooting had already begun in Abu Dhabi casting theories went into overdrive. Then the original trio of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher arrived in London and the studio finally released a photo of the main cast. Han Solo and company are back and joined by Obvious Villain Max Van Sydow, Possible Villain’s Apprentice Adam Driver, newcomer Daisy Ridley and our own Domhnall Gleeson!

Born in 1983 Domhnall has built up a pretty amazing resume in recent years, all the while avoiding any accusation of nepotism – his father is Brendan Gleeson. He’s been lauded for theatre work and garnered a Tony nomination for The Lieutenant of Inishmore in 2006. After some stellar work in shorts and low-budgets indies, including Sensation and the Oscar-winning Six Shooter, he found himself in the box-office smashing Harry Potter series. His experience as Bill Weasley ought to help prepare for the immediate fandom that is attached to George Lucas? space opera. His small role in the affecting Never Let Me Go marked him out again as an actor of incredible empathy. However Domhnall properly arrived on our wow radar with his role in Joe Wright’s sumptuous and intricate Anna Karenina. His portrayal of the wealthy farmer Konstantin Levin who is in love with Princess Kitty, was both heartbreaking and joyous to watch.

Meanwhile you can catch Domhnall in the upcoming Frank. This is the latest movie from the acclaimed Lenny Abrahamson and stars Michael Fassbender as the titular Frank, who wears a bobble-head throughout. Domhnall plays wannabe musician Jon who joins a wacky and serious indie band as they battle the road to fame and deal with the weird personality of Frank. So far critics have been glowing with Variety calling Gleeson’s comedic abilities ?gifted?.

A rising star for a galaxy far, far away indeed.

Jeanne Sutton @jeannedesutun