If you’ve seen About Time or Ex Machina, you’ve already met one of the most quietly versatile Irish actors working today. Domhnall Gleeson has built a career that spans blockbuster franchises like Harry Potter and Star Wars, indie darlings, and stage productions—all while staying notably private about his personal life; this article takes a closer look at his filmography, family ties, and the unanswered questions fans keep asking.
Born: 12 May 1983, Dublin, Ireland ·
Notable role: Bill Weasley in Harry Potter film series (2010–2011) ·
Father: Brendan Gleeson, actor ·
Profession: Actor, screenwriter, director ·
Awards: Multiple IFTA nominations
Quick snapshot
- Irish actor and writer (IMDb (film database))
- Born 12 May 1983 in Dublin (IMDb Biography (actor profile))
- Son of Brendan Gleeson (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator))
- Played Bill Weasley in Harry Potter (Box Office Mojo (box office tracking))
- Current relationship status (no public confirmation)
- Whether he has children (no public record)
- Depth of friendship with Rachel McAdams (speculative)
- First film role in 2006 (IMDb Biography (actor profile))
- 2010–2011: Bill Weasley in Harry Potter (IMDb Biography (actor profile))
- 2013: About Time release (IMDb Biography (actor profile))
- 2015: Ex Machina and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (IMDb Biography (actor profile))
- He continues to choose diverse projects across film, TV, and theatre
- No upcoming projects publicly confirmed as of early 2025
Six key data points, one pattern: Domhnall Gleeson’s biography is a mix of verified milestones and deliberate privacy.
| Full Name | Domhnall Gleeson |
| Date of Birth | 12 May 1983 |
| Place of Birth | Dublin, Ireland |
| Occupation | Actor, screenwriter, director |
| Known For | Bill Weasley in Harry Potter |
| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) |
Is Domhnall Gleeson in a relationship?
Despite regular public appearances, Domhnall Gleeson keeps his romantic life entirely off the record. There is no public record of a current relationship, and he has never been married as of 2025 (International Business Times (news outlet)). He has stated in interviews that he prefers to keep his personal life private.
Does Domhnall Gleeson have a wife?
No. There is no evidence he has ever been married. Any claims of a spouse or fiancée are unsubstantiated.
Why this matters: For an actor whose on-screen romances are highly visible (e.g., About Time), the contrast with his off-screen silence is striking. The implication: fans may need to accept that some details simply won’t be shared.
What is Domhnall Gleeson’s biggest role?
His most widely recognised character is Bill Weasley in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Parts 1 and 2). But his filmography is defined by range, not just one franchise.
Is Bill Weasley his most famous character?
Yes, for general audiences. However, he also played General Hux in the Star Wars sequel trilogy (IMDb (film database)), Tim Lake in About Time (2013), and Caleb in Ex Machina (2015). Each role showcases a different register: the romantic lead, the calculating scientist, the fascistic officer.
- About Time – $87 million worldwide box office (Box Office Mojo (box office tracking))
- Ex Machina – critical acclaim, Academy Award for Best Visual Effects
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens – over $2 billion worldwide
The trade-off: Franchise fame pays the bills, but his indie roles earn the respect. The pattern is deliberate: he alternates between popcorn hits and character-driven work.
Are Rachel McAdams and Domhnall Gleeson friends?
They co-starred as romantic leads in About Time (2013). Both have spoken warmly about the experience, but there is no credible source confirming a close off-screen friendship.
Did they co-star in a movie?
Yes. The film, directed by Richard Curtis, is a time-travel romance. McAdams has called Gleeson “lovely” and a “great scene partner” (The Guardian (UK newspaper) – interview excerpt).
The catch: Friendly on-set rapport is common and does not prove a lasting personal bond. Media speculation about a “friendship” appears to be based on one film, not ongoing sightings.
Is Domhnall Gleeson Irish?
Yes, he is Irish by birth and nationality.
Where was Domhnall Gleeson born?
He was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 12 May 1983 (IMDb Biography (actor profile)). He holds Irish citizenship and is the eldest son of Irish actor Brendan Gleeson.
What this means: his Irish identity is a core part of his public persona, but he rarely discusses it in interviews.
Who is Domhnall Gleeson’s father?
His father is Brendan Gleeson, an acclaimed Irish actor known for roles in Braveheart, Harry Potter, and The Banshees of Inisherin.
Is Brendan Gleeson fluent in Irish?
Yes, Brendan Gleeson is a fluent Irish speaker and has spoken about his commitment to the language (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). He and Domhnall have acted together in films such as Harry Potter (Brendan played Mad-Eye Moody) and The Guard (though not on-screen together in that film).
The pattern: the Gleeson family has become a minor acting dynasty in Irish cinema.
Career and personal timeline
The timeline below traces his career from early appearances to Star Wars.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2001 | Acting debut in BBC miniseries Rebel Heart (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)) |
| 2004 | Appeared in Martin McDonagh’s short film Six Shooter (People (celebrity news)) |
| 2005 | Film debut in Boy Eats Girl (IMDb Biography (actor profile)) |
| 2006 | First credited film role in Studs |
| 2009 | Wrote/directed short film What Will Survive of Us |
| 2010–2011 | Portrayed Bill Weasley in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows |
| 2013 | Starred in About Time and Black Mirror episode “Be Right Back” |
| 2014 | Lead in Frank |
| 2015 | Appeared in Ex Machina, Brooklyn, The Revenant, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens |
| 2017 | Reprised General Hux in Star Wars: The Last Jedi; appeared in Goodbye Christopher Robin |
| 2018 | Major role in Peter Rabbit (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)) |
| 2019 | General Hux in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker |
Confirmed facts vs. What remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Domhnall Gleeson is Irish (IMDb (film database))
- His father is Brendan Gleeson (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator))
- He played Bill Weasley in Harry Potter (Box Office Mojo (box office tracking))
- He has not been married as of 2025
What’s unclear
- Whether he is currently in a relationship
- If he has children
- Degree of friendship with Rachel McAdams
- Whether he speaks Irish (not publicly confirmed)
In his own words
“I think the thing I loved about About Time was that it was a love story, but it was also about family and the way we treat the people we love. Rachel and I had a really nice chemistry.”
— Domhnall Gleeson, in an interview with Interview Magazine (arts & culture)
“Domhnall is a wonderful actor. He’s got a great emotional intelligence. I’m very proud of him.”
— Brendan Gleeson, speaking to People (celebrity news)
The pattern across Domhnall Gleeson’s career is one of deliberate balance: he takes blockbuster roles to fund his passion projects, and he keeps his personal life out of the frame entirely. For media and fans, the implication is clear: respect Domhnall Gleeson’s boundary, or risk misreading a very private person.
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For a deeper look into his personal life and career milestones, check out this Domhnall Gleeson biography and relationships that goes beyond the headlines.
Frequently asked questions
Does Domhnall Gleeson have any brothers?
Yes, he has at least one brother, Brian Gleeson, who is also an actor. He has two other brothers as well (People (celebrity news)).
Is Domhnall Gleeson in the Star Wars movies?
Yes, he played General Armitage Hux in the sequel trilogy: The Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
What was Domhnall Gleeson’s first movie?
His first film role was in Boy Eats Girl (2005), though some sources list the short film Six Shooter (2004) as an earlier appearance.
Did Domhnall Gleeson appear in Game of Thrones?
No, he has never appeared in Game of Thrones.
Is Domhnall Gleeson related to Jack Gleeson?
No, they are not related. Jack Gleeson played Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones and is also Irish, but they share no family ties.
What awards has Domhnall Gleeson won?
He has received multiple IFTA (Irish Film & Television Academy) nominations. He was also nominated for a Tony Award in 2006 for The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Apple TV (streaming platform)).
Does Domhnall Gleeson speak Irish?
There is no verifiable public record of his Irish-language ability, though his father Brendan is a fluent speaker (People (celebrity news)).
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Craig Newton is Senior Reporter at ScopePress.uk, covering breaking technology news and consumer tech stories across the UK.