Domhnall Gleeson: Biography, Movies, TV Shows & Family

You have probably seen Domhnall Gleeson without realizing it was the same actor each time. He was the kind Bill Weasley in Harry Potter, the fiery General Hux in Star Wars, the time-traveling Tim Lake in About Time, and the nervous programmer Caleb Smith in Ex Machina.

Domhnall Gleeson is an Irish actor, writer and director. He moves between comedy, drama, sci-fi and big-budget blockbusters without ever playing the same man twice. That range is the main reason audiences around the world know his face, even when they struggle to spell his name.

This guide walks through his life, family, career and latest work. It also clears up the personal-life questions people search most.

Domhnall Gleeson Quick Facts

Who Is Domhnall Gleeson?

Gleeson was born and raised in Dublin. He grew up in a house full of stories, and he started out writing and directing short films before acting took over.

His early work was small and mostly Irish: short films, television and stage plays. Then he joined the final two Harry Potter films, and audiences everywhere noticed him. Bigger roles followed fast, including Star Wars, Ex Machina and The Revenant.

What sets him apart is range. He can play a shy romantic, a cold military officer or a haunted doctor, and each one feels like a different person. He has also kept one foot in Irish storytelling, writing and acting in projects with his brother Brian.

Early Life and Education

Domhnall Gleeson's Childhood in Dublin

Domhnall Gleeson was born on May 12, 1983, in Dublin. His mother is Mary Gleeson, and his father is the actor Brendan Gleeson. He grew up with three brothers.

Brendan did not become a full-time actor until later in life. He worked as a teacher first. That matters, because it shows Domhnall grew up around someone who treated acting as hard work, not instant fame.

Domhnall Gleeson's Education

Gleeson attended Malahide Community School in north Dublin. He later studied Media Arts at the Dublin Institute of Technology (now part of Technological University Dublin).

His degree leaned toward writing and directing, not acting. He has said he first saw himself behind the camera. That training still shows in his work, since he has written and directed his own short films.

How Domhnall Gleeson Started Acting

His start came through storytelling. He made short films, tried theatre, and took small screen parts. His earliest listed credit is the 2004 short film Six Shooter, which also starred his father.

He was also involved in Irish television and theatre in the mid-2000s, and those jobs taught him how to hold an audience before the big movies came.

Domhnall Gleeson's Family

Is Domhnall Gleeson Related to Brendan Gleeson?

Yes. Brendan Gleeson is Domhnall's father. Brendan is one of Ireland's best-known actors, with credits including In Bruges, The Guard, Calvary and The Banshees of Inisherin. He also played Mad-Eye Moody in the Harry Potter series, so father and son share a place in the same film world.

They have worked together more than once. Both appeared in Calvary and in the short film Six Shooter, and Domhnall has spoken about being wary of working with his dad at first.

Who Are Domhnall Gleeson's Brothers?

Domhnall has three brothers:

• Fergus Gleeson: Fergus keeps a low public profile.
• Brian Gleeson: An actor and writer, seen in Peaky Blinders, Assassin's Creed and Frank of Ireland.
• Rory Gleeson: Rory also stays out of the spotlight.

It is a creative family, even if only some members work in front of the camera.

Domhnall Gleeson and Brian Gleeson

Domhnall and Brian are close collaborators. Their best-known project together is Frank of Ireland, a comedy series they co-wrote. Brian plays Frank, a lazy man stuck in a childish rut, and Domhnall plays his best friend, Doofus.

The pair also worked on the short film Noreen, which Domhnall wrote and directed. It starred Brian and their father.

Domhnall Gleeson's Acting Career

Early Career

He worked in Irish television and theatre before film came calling. One early credit was the 2001 miniseries Rebel Heart. Short films followed, then small movie roles such as Boy Eats Girl (2005) and Studs (2006).

These were not glamorous jobs. They were useful ones. They gave him screen time, stage discipline and a reputation for being reliable.

Breakthrough in Film

The turning point came when he joined the Harry Potter series. After that, parts grew larger and more varied. He appeared in True Grit (2010) and Anna Karenina (2012), where he played the earnest landowner Levin.

In 2013, he starred in About Time and in the Black Mirror episode "Be Right Back." Critics and fans began to treat him as a leading man, not just a familiar face.

International Career

From 2014 to 2015, his career took off. He played a spy-drama-like mix of roles:

• Ex Machina (2014): A tense sci-fi thriller about artificial intelligence.
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015): He joined one of the biggest franchises on Earth as General Hux.
• The Revenant (2015): He played Captain Andrew Henry opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy.
• Brooklyn (2015): He played the gentle, warm-hearted Jim Farrell.

Later work includes Goodbye Christopher Robin (2017), where he played A. A. Milne, mother! (2017), The Little Stranger (2018) and the Peter Rabbit films. On TV, he starred in The Patient and Alice & Jack.

Theatre Career

Theatre has stayed part of his life. Gleeson appeared on Broadway in The Lieutenant of Inishmore, a dark comedy by Martin McDonagh, and earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play.

Stage work asks actors to hold an audience for hours with no second takes. Julia Stiles is another actor who moves between film and theatre, and you can read more about her in this profile of Julia Stiles.

Domhnall Gleeson in Harry Potter

Who Does Domhnall Gleeson Play in Harry Potter?

He plays Bill Weasley, the eldest of the Weasley children. Bill is calm, brave, and loyal. He works for the Order of the Phoenix and helps protect Harry as the war with Voldemort grows.

Which Harry Potter Movies Is Domhnall Gleeson In?

He appears in the two-part finale:

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)

Domhnall Gleeson's Role as Bill Weasley

Bill is not a lead character, but he matters. In Part 1, he helps Harry escape the Dursleys' home during the Seven Potters mission, and he shelters Harry and his friends at Shell Cottage with his wife, Fleur Delacour. In Part 2, he fights in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Gleeson brings warmth to a small part. For many viewers, this was the first time they noticed him.

Domhnall Gleeson in Star Wars

Who Does Domhnall Gleeson Play in Star Wars?

He plays General Armitage Hux, a senior officer in the First Order, the military force that rose after the fall of the Empire.

Star Wars Movies Featuring Domhnall Gleeson

• Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
• Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
• Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

General Hux's Role in the Star Wars Story

Hux runs the First Order's military machine. In The Force Awakens, he gives the chilling speech before Starkiller Base fires. He is cold, ambitious, and desperate for approval.

He spends much of the trilogy competing with Kylo Ren for the favor of Supreme Leader Snoke. In The Last Jedi, that rivalry turns darkly funny. (Spoiler warning: in The Rise of Skywalker, Hux's story takes a surprising turn.)

Gleeson plays him with sharp, nervous energy, which makes Hux feel dangerous and a little pitiful at once.

Domhnall Gleeson Movies and TV Shows

His filmography is long, and it mixes studio films with smaller, personal projects. Here are the highlights:

Domhnall Gleeson's Most Popular Movies

About Time

Gleeson plays Tim Lake, a young man who learns the men in his family can travel back in time. He uses the gift to find love, then to fix his mistakes.

The film became popular because it is more about everyday life than science fiction. Its message, to enjoy ordinary days, stays with people. Co-stars include Rachel McAdams and Bill Nighy.

Ex Machina

He plays Caleb Smith, a programmer chosen to test whether a humanlike robot named Ava can think for herself. The story asks who is really testing whom.

Caleb is the audience's eyes, so Gleeson has to play curiosity, charm and slow dread all at once. The film won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.

The Revenant

He plays Captain Andrew Henry, the leader of a fur-trapping expedition. Gleeson stood beside Leonardo DiCaprio, who won the Best Actor Oscar for the film, and Tom Hardy. Holding your own next to that cast takes real skill.

Brooklyn

He plays Jim Farrell, a kind young man in Ireland who falls for Eilis, played by Saoirse Ronan. Jim is important because he represents the life Eilis could choose if she stays home. Gleeson keeps him sympathetic, which makes her choice harder.

Peter Rabbit

In Peter Rabbit and Peter Rabbit 2, he plays Thomas McGregor, a grumpy-turned-gentle neighbor who shares a home and a garden with talking rabbits. It is a lighter, family-friendly side of his career.

Domhnall Gleeson's TV Shows

His television work deserves its own look. It is often darker or odder than his movie roles.

In The Patient, he plays a man held captive by a therapist, opposite Steve Carell. In The Paper, he plays the editor of a struggling newspaper in a comedy set in the same world as The Office. Viewers who like TV stars with long careers might also enjoy this look at Hayden Panettiere.

Domhnall Gleeson's Awards and Achievements

Gleeson has been recognized by several awards bodies, though he is better known for steady, varied work than for trophies.

• IFTA: The Irish Film and Television Academy has recognized his work in both film and TV.
• Tony nomination: He was nominated for his Broadway work in The Lieutenant of Inishmore.
• Major films: He appeared in several Oscar-winning or Oscar-nominated films, including Ex Machina, The Revenant and Brooklyn.

For the exact list of wins and nominations, check the official records of each awards body.

Domhnall Gleeson's Personal Life

Gleeson keeps his private life very private. He rarely shares details in interviews, and many websites repeat guesses as facts. This guide sticks to what is publicly confirmed.

Is Domhnall Gleeson Married?

There is no reliable public confirmation that he is married. Several websites name different spouses, and those claims contradict each other, so they should not be trusted.

Who Is Domhnall Gleeson's Wife?

No wife has been confirmed in reliable reporting. Be careful with celebrity gossip pages that give names without a source.

Does Domhnall Gleeson Have Children?

There is no reliable public confirmation either way. If he chooses to share this information, it will most likely come from him directly.

Domhnall Gleeson Net Worth

Celebrity net-worth figures are estimates, not audited numbers. Websites that publish them often disagree, and the figures commonly cited for Gleeson are in the single-digit millions of dollars. Treat any exact figure with caution.

His income comes from film and TV acting fees, franchise work such as Star Wars, stage work, and his writing and directing projects.

Domhnall Gleeson's Latest Projects

As of October 2026, here is what he has recently done:

• The Incomer (2026): A Scottish island comedy directed by Louis Paxton, in which Gleeson plays Daniel.
• The Paper (2025): A Peacock comedy series in which he plays Ned Sampson.
• Echo Valley (2025): An Apple TV+ thriller in which he plays Jackie.
• Fountain of Youth (2025): A treasure-hunt adventure on Apple TV+ in which he plays Owen Carver. It also stars John Krasinski, and you can read this profile of John Krasinski to learn more.

I could not confirm any newly announced roles beyond these. Check IMDb or his official news pages for updates.

Final Thoughts

Domhnall Gleeson built his career through variety. He went from short films and Irish stage plays to Harry Potter, Star Wars and prestige drama, and he has kept writing and creating along the way.

If you are new to his work, start with About Time for heart, Ex Machina for suspense, and The Patient for something darker. Then come back to this page when his next project drops.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Domhnall Gleeson?

He was born on May 12, 1983, so he is 43 years old as of October 2026.

Where was Domhnall Gleeson born?

He was born in Dublin, Ireland.

Is Domhnall Gleeson related to Brendan Gleeson?

Yes. Brendan Gleeson is his father.

Who is Domhnall Gleeson's father?

His father is Brendan Gleeson, the Irish actor known for In Bruges, The Guard and Calvary.

Who does Domhnall Gleeson play in Harry Potter?

He plays Bill Weasley in the two Deathly Hallows films.

Who does Domhnall Gleeson play in Star Wars?

He plays General Armitage Hux of the First Order.

What are Domhnall Gleeson's best movies?

Fan favorites include About Time, Ex Machina, The Revenant and Brooklyn.

What TV shows has Domhnall Gleeson appeared in?

He has been in Black Mirror, Run, Frank of Ireland, The Patient, Alice & Jack and The Paper.

Is Domhnall Gleeson married?

His marital status has not been reliably confirmed. He keeps his personal life private.

What is Domhnall Gleeson's latest movie?

The most recent title listed on IMDb is The Incomer (2026).