Northern Ireland has supplied some of the UK’s finest acting talent. Just look at Liam Neeson, Kenneth Branagh, and Jamie-Lee O’Donnell. It’s long been home to drama schools, university courses, and a thriving theatre scene, but major TV series such as Derry Girls, Blue Lights, and Game of Thrones have put it firmly on the map. Add to that more serious series such as Say Nothing and Trespasses, both of which confronted the Troubles, and the landscape suggests there’s a real appetite for Northern Irish stories and talent.
How do you get started and become an actor? Whether you’re fresh out of school and figuring out what the industry is all about or you just want to throw yourself into work like the hundreds of extras involved in each series of Game of Thrones, here’s a look at training options, how to find local auditions, and what to do to start building your acting career in Northern Ireland.
Let’s begin with great news: Northern Ireland’s screen and theatre scene is only getting hotter.
“One of the reasons that the [film and TV] industry [in Belfast] is world-class is because of Game of Thrones,” actor Siobhan McSweeney told The Telegraph. Local talent is central to shows such as Derry Girls and Blue Lights, and production companies such as Yellowmoon, Sixteen South, and Out of Orbit all have a Belfast base.
“Belfast has cemented its reputation as a film hub,” writes BBC journalist Jessica Lawrence.
It also has a strong stage presence, led by Belfast’s Lyric Theatre, which produces a mix of contemporary and classic work. Hot on its heels is The MAC, which regularly showcases new writing. You’re in luck if you’re a Northern Irish actor keen to star in Northern Irish–centred work. “The Northern Irish accent is notoriously hard to mimic,” writes BBC journalist Jayne McCormack, so it makes sense for Northern Irish–centred projects to cast locally.
For women in particular, Northern Ireland stands out as a great place to work and train. Michael Quinn reports in The Stage that 60% of the local theatre workforce are women. “Something transformative is happening to theatre in Northern Ireland,” Quinn writes. “A new generation of female writers, actors, directors, and producers is changing what is being seen on the country’s stages and asserting its place in an environment that has historically been dominated by men.”
1. Study the craft.
If you want to work in Northern Ireland, you may want to consider training at one of its many prestigious institutions. Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University offer respected degrees in drama and theatre, while the Lyric Theatre (which won theatre of the year at the Stage Awards in 2023), The MAC, and Bruiser Theatre Company provide hands-on development through occasional workshops and schemes.
For younger performers, the Rainbow Factory, Belfast School of Performing Arts, and Theatre at the Mill offer excellent programmes of various lengths and types that feed into the professional scene. Children from the Belfast School of Performing Arts have joined the cast of the National Theatre's production of An Inspector Calls, and the school regularly hosts masterclasses with West End and Broadway stars. The organisations are not only teaching stagecraft, but also helping shape the next generation of actors born and bred in Northern Ireland and could provide long-term networking opportunities.
2. Explore opportunities for work.
There’s a healthy amount of creative work in Northern Ireland, with plays, TV shows, and films all being made locally. You just need to know where to look. The country’s national screen agency, Northern Ireland Screen, is dedicated to growing the film industry in Northern Ireland with the aim of helping it become “the strongest screen industry outside of London in the UK and Ireland.” Northern Ireland Screen hosts networking events specifically for actors, as well as lots of workshops on the technical side of the film industry.
Casting directors such as Carla Stronge are based in Belfast and regularly employ local talent on shows such as Derry Girls, The Fall, Bloodlands, and Game of Thrones. Set yourself up for audition success by having a home setup for filming self-tapes, with a ring light and a plain wall behind you.
3. Network.
To get cast on stage and screen, it is helpful to develop meaningful connections in the industry. The best way to do that is to go to local auditions and industry events when they arise. You could also become an extra. Game of Thrones reportedly employed 13,000 during its run in Northern Ireland.
You could also try to get a job as a runner or production assistant on a film or TV set to meet key players. Persistence and being in the right place at the right time are key.
Browse job sites and keep an eye on social media callouts. It’s also worth it to join Facebook groups such as Studio NI: Film/TV, Theatre, Media + Arts in Northern Ireland, where casting calls are often advertised.
4. Seek representation.
You don’t have to get an acting agent to be an actor, but it’s certainly helpful. You could be part of a big agency such as The Artist Partnership (like Jamie-Lee O’Donnell), Curtis Brown, United Agents, or Independent Talent Group, but smaller local agencies may be better for long-term, personalised development – particularly when you’re starting out.
Premier Artists is Northern Ireland’s leading acting agency, with fingers in the TV, film, and theatre industries. Reach out to agents with your acting CV, showreel, up-to-date headshots, and a short introduction. Just try your luck and get emailing!
5. Build a body of work.
Being proactive is essential in the acting industry, and building a portfolio of work is crucial when you’re starting out. If you want to get signed by an agent, acting experience will improve your chances. But what can you do in Northern Ireland?
Many actors will shoot short films with local filmmakers, join community theatre productions, or even create their own. The Open House Festival, EastSide Arts, and Outburst Arts Festival are great places to meet collaborators – or, if you’re lucky, bag some stage time! You could also reach out to film students at local universities such as Queen’s University Belfast and Belfast Film Academy to see if they’re looking for actors for upcoming projects.
To build an acting career in Northern Ireland, you need to think local: Train, audition, network, and contribute to its thriving entertainment industry. There’s no one path to follow, but you can be safe in the knowledge that Northern Ireland is a fertile and vibrant place to launch an acting career.