--- name: "Fionnula Flanagan" canonical: "https://film.one/person/fionnula-flanagan" fi1m_id: "fionnula-flanagan" imdb_id: "nm0001217" tmdb_id: 58068 wikidata_id: "Q237579" roles: ["Actor"] born: "10 December 1941" reviewed_on_fi1m: 9 average_fi1m_score: 72 average_as: "actor" average_over: 9 updated: "2026-10-05T11:27:33.512629+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Fionnula Flanagan ## Identity Fionnula Flanagan - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/fionnula-flanagan - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** fionnula-flanagan - **IMDb ID:** nm0001217 - **TMDB ID:** 58068 - **Wikidata ID:** Q237579 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fionnula_Flanagan, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q237579, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001217/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/58068 Actor. Born 10 December 1941 in Dublin, Ireland. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 10 December 1941, Dublin, Ireland - **Active:** 1975–present - **Also known as:** Fionnghuala Flanagan , Fionnuala Flanagan, Fionnghuala Manon Flanagan - **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 9 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 84 (1), 1990s 79 (2), 2000s 62 (3), 2010s 80 (2), 2020s 61 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 68 across 8 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 3, Drama 3, Action 2, Action & Adventure 2, Animation 2, Family 2 - **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $1,160m across 7 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fionnula_Flanagan, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q237579, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001217/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/58068 ## Streaming the US now - **AMC+:** [*The Others*](https://film.one/film/the-others.md) (80) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Guard*](https://film.one/film/the-guard.md) (78) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Fionnula Flanagan > Fionnula Flanagan brings authority to supporting parts, and can make that certainty look faintly absurd. We value her contribution to an ensemble, though her work creating *James Joyce’s Women* suggests how narrowly such casting can use her. In *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes* (2023), the Snow family’s money has gone, but Flanagan’s Grandma’am behaves as though it has not. The flat is cold, and her grandson is hiding their poverty. We were amused by her refusal to acknowledge any of it, because she makes the family’s insistence on its own importance look rather ridiculous. This is a useful variation on the authoritative figures she frequently plays: the certainty survives even when the money has run out. Francis Lawrence’s film loses much of its force in the last forty minutes, but the grandmother’s small contribution makes sense. That casting can obscure the work she has made for herself. Her screen career reaches back to *Ulysses* (1967), and her long association with Joyce includes writing and performing a one-woman show. For its film adaptation, *James Joyce’s Women* (1985), she was a writer and producer as well as an actor playing multiple roles. We would keep that work in mind when considering the later supporting parts: being repeatedly asked to provide authority is a narrower assignment than choosing the material yourself. In *The Others* (2001), as Mrs Bertha Mills, she helps anchor an ensemble in a film prepared to wait for its effects. Alejandro Amenábar builds fear from the dark house and the strain on Nicole Kidman’s character, a mother struggling to cope. Flanagan’s supporting work suits that patient approach, which gives the company time to make an impression. It is the stronger of our two reviewed films with her, though anyone impatient for a scare may find the pace trying. Her supporting work also takes in Annie O’Shea in the comedy *Waking Ned* (1998) and Eileen Boyle in the black comedy *The Guard* (2011). The risk with an actor so readily cast as an authority figure is that a film asks for the authority and stops there. Grandma’am has a clear function, but we would not pretend the part offers a full account of what Flanagan can do. Start with *The Others*, provided you are willing to let a ghost story take its time. ## Biography Fionnula Flanagan is an Irish actress. Born in Dublin in 1941, she was educated at the Abbey Theatre School and studied in Switzerland. She began her career on stage and in Irish-language productions before making her film debut as Gerty McDowell in the 1967 adaptation of *Ulysses*. Flanagan is known for her work in *James Joyce's Women* (1985), which she also wrote and produced, as well as films including *Waking Ned* (1998), *The Others* (2001), *The Guard* (2011) and *Song of the Sea* (2014). On stage she received Tony Award nominations for *Ulysses in Nighttown* and *The Ferryman*. She has appeared in television series such as *Lost*. In 2023 she played Grandma'am in *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes*. She has received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning one, and a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, web.archive.org.* ## On Fi1m (9) - *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes* (2023), Fi1m 61, as Grandma’am — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes.md) - *Song of the Sea* (2014), Fi1m 82, as Granny / Macha (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/song-of-the-sea.md) - *The Guard* (2011), Fi1m 78, as Eileen Boyle — [page](https://film.one/film/the-guard.md) - *A Christmas Carol* (2009), Fi1m 50, as Mrs. Dilber (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/a-christmas-carol.md) - *Yes Man* (2008), Fi1m 56, as Tillie — [page](https://film.one/film/yes-man.md) - *The Others* (2001), Fi1m 80, as Mrs. Bertha Mills — [page](https://film.one/film/the-others.md) - *Waking Ned* (1998), Fi1m 73, as Annie O'Shea — [page](https://film.one/film/waking-ned.md) - *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine* (1993), Fi1m 85, as Enina Tandro — [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-deep-space-nine.md) - *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), Fi1m 84, as Dr. Juliana Tainer — [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md) ## Complete filmography (128) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Brown Bread* (2025), as Betty - *Four Mothers* (2025), as Alma - *Small Town, Big Story* (2025), series, as Wendy's Mother - *Mr. K* (2025), as Ruth Monchien - *Bodkin* (2024), series, as Mother Bernadette - *The Santa Stories* (2023), series, as Narrator - *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes* (2023), as Grandma’am — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes.md) - *Sight* (2023), as Sister Marie - *SisterS* (2023), series, as Dymphna - *The Man from Rome* (2022), as Duchess Cruz Bruner - *Zone 414* (2021), as Jane's maintenance provider - *Smother* (2021), series, as Caro Noonan - *Sol* (2020), as None (voice) - *Radioflash* (2019), as Maw - *Supervized* (2019), as Madera - *Sing Me Back Home* (2019), as Marie - *Late Afternoon* (2019), as Emily (voice) - *2019 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Animation* (2019), as Emily - *Birthmarked* (2018), as Mrs. Tridek - *The Young Offenders* (2018), series, as Bridget Mac Sweeney - *Strike* (2017), series, as Oonagh Kennedy - *Kat & Alfie: Redwater* (2017), series, as Agnes Byrne - *Little Secret* (2016), as Barbara - *Trash Fire* (2016), as Violet - *Havenhurst* (2016), as Eleanor - *Come Simi* (2015), as Aunt Maxine - *Fearless* (2014), as Margaret - *Song of the Sea* (2014), as Granny / Macha (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/song-of-the-sea.md) - *Angels Sing* (2013), as Ma - *Life's a Breeze* (2013), as Nan - *Tasting Menu* (2013), as Condesa - *Defiance* (2013), series, as Nicky - *Pass the Salt, Please* (2012), Actor - *Coming & Going* (2011), as Irma - *The Guard* (2011), as Eileen Boyle — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-guard.md) - *Kill the Irishman* (2011), as Grace O'Keefe - *Three Wise Women* (2010), as Beth - *A Christmas Carol* (2009), as Mrs. Dilber (voice) — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/a-christmas-carol.md) - *The Invention of Lying* (2009), as Martha Bellison - *Yes Man* (2008), as Tillie — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/yes-man.md) - *Paddywhackery* (2007), series, as Peig Sayers - *Slipstream* (2007), as Bette Lustig - *Brotherhood* (2006), series, as Rose Caffee - *The Payback* (2006), as Galina - *Four Brothers* (2005), as Evelyn Mercer - *Revelations* (2005), series, as Mother Francine - *Transamerica* (2005), as Elizabeth Schupak - *Sexual Life* (2005), as Grandmother - *Man About Dog* (2004), as Olivia - *Lost* (2004), series, as Eloise Hawking — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/lost.md) - *Blessed* (2004), as J. Lloyd Samuel - *Nip/Tuck* (2003), series, as Sister Rita-Claire — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/nip-tuck.md) - *Murder, She Wrote: The Celtic Riddle* (2003), as Margaret Byrne - *Tears of the Sun* (2003), as Sister Grace - *Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood* (2002), as Teensy - *Star Trek: Enterprise* (2001), series, as Vulcan Ambassador V'Lar - *The Others* (2001), as Mrs. Bertha Mills — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-others.md) - *Deceit* (2001), Actor - *For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story* (2000), as Sally Lewis - *A Secret Affair* (1999), as Drucilla Fitzgerald - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Sheila Baxter, Maddie Thomas - *With or Without You* (1999), as Irene - *Waking Ned* (1998), as Annie O'Shea — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/waking-ned.md) - *To Have & to Hold* (1998), series, as Fiona McGrail - *Kings in Grass Castles* (1998), series, as Bridget Durack - *Some Mother's Son* (1996), as Annie Higgins - *919 Fifth Avenue* (1995), as Brydie - *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Robin O'Hara - *White Mile* (1994), as Gena Karas - *The Pornographer* (1994), Actor - *Money for Nothing* (1993), as Mrs. Coyle - *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine* (1993), series, as Enina Tandro — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-deep-space-nine.md) - *Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman* (1993), series, as Heart - *Mad at the Moon* (1992), as Mrs. Hill - *Final Verdict* (1991), as Pearl Morton - *Death Dreams* (1991), as Margaret Neuberger - *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), series, as Dr. Juliana Tainer — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md) - *Beauty and the Beast* (1987), series, as Jessica Webb - *Hard Copy* (1987), series, Actor - *P.K. and the Kid* (1987), as Flo - *A State of Emergency* (1986), as Diane Carmody - *A Winner Never Quits* (1986), as Antoniette Wyshner - *Youngblood* (1986), as Miss McGill - *James Joyce's Women* (1985), as Harriet Shaw Weaver - *The Ewok Adventure* (1984), as Catarine Towani - *Scorned and Swindled* (1984), as Margaret - *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Eileen O'Bannon, Freida Schmidt, Fiona Delaney Griffith - *Hunter* (1984), series, as Maureen Delaney - *Reflections* (1984), as Mrs. Charlotte Lawless - *Voyager from the Unknown* (1984), as Molly Brown - *Through Naked Eyes* (1983), as Dr. Frances Muller - *Voyagers!* (1982), series, Actor - *Cagney & Lacey* (1982), series, Actor — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/cagney-and-lacey.md) - *Fame* (1982), series, Actor - *Simon & Simon* (1981), series, Actor - *Here's Boomer* (1981), series, Actor - *Mr. Patman* (1981), as Abadaba - *Palmerstown, U.S.A.* (1980), series, Actor - *Young Love, First Love* (1979), as Audrey Gibson - *Trapper John, M.D.* (1979), series, Actor - *Mary White* (1977), as Sallie White - *How the West Was Won* (1977), series, as Molly Culhane - *Nightmare in Badham County* (1976), as Dulcie - *In the Region of Ice* (1976), Actor - *Rich Man, Poor Man* (1976), series, as Clothilde - *The Bionic Woman* (1976), series, Actor - *The Legend of Lizzie Borden* (1975), as Bridget Sullivan - *The Godchild* (1974), as Virginia - *Movin' On* (1974), series, Actor - *Kojak* (1973), series, as Molly Braddock — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/kojak.md) - *The Picture of Dorian Gray* (1973), as Felicia - *Police Story* (1973), series, Actor - *The Streets of San Francisco* (1972), series, as Ellen Simms - *The Rookies* (1972), series, Actor - *Columbo* (1971), series, as Louise — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/columbo.md) - *Medical Center* (1969), series, Actor - *Marcus Welby, M.D.* (1969), series, as Maggie - *Some Women* (1969), as Dianne Richards - *Sinful Davey* (1969), as Penelope - *Cold Comfort Farm* (1968), series, as Mary Smiling - *Mannix* (1967), series, Actor - *Ulysses* (1967), as Gerty MacDowell - *Callan* (1967), series, Actor — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/callan.md) - *Deirdre* (1965), Actor - *The Wednesday Play* (1964), series, as Mona, Eileen - *Bonanza* (1959), series, as Meg Dundee - *Gunsmoke* (1955), series, as Sarah Morgan - *The Body Is Water*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Fionnula Flanagan at a Sinn Féin meeting for the Save Moore Street campaign (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/15437/gallery-4387785d3f18.jpg) Fionnula Flanagan at a Sinn Féin meeting for the Save Moore Street campaign (2012) — Sinn Féin, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/Fionnula_Flanagan1.jpg/1280px-Fionnula_Flanagan1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![From LOST, ST The Next Generation, Defiance and Waking Ned. NYC April '18. (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/15437/gallery-22871d64c8b9.jpg) From LOST, ST The Next Generation, Defiance and Waking Ned. NYC April '18. (2018) — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/Fionnula_Flanagan_%282018%29.jpg/1280px-Fionnula_Flanagan_%282018%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Fionnula Flanagan](https://film.one/media/person/15437/gallery-186826e703a2.jpg) Fionnula Flanagan — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/Fionnula_Flanagan_%282018%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Fionnula_Flanagan_%282018%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Fionnula Flanagan at a Sinn Féin meeting for the Save Moore Street campaign (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/15437/gallery-3c04a7c097d0.jpg) Fionnula Flanagan at a Sinn Féin meeting for the Save Moore Street campaign (2012) — Sinn Féin (original) Supernino (derivative work), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Fionnula_Flanagan_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Fionnula Flanagan](https://film.one/media/person/15437/gallery-a28cae864f2f.jpg) Fionnula Flanagan — Image via TMDB - ![Fionnula Flanagan](https://film.one/media/person/15437/gallery-3f5fe52ec1e6.jpg) Fionnula Flanagan — Image via TMDB - ![Fionnula Flanagan](https://film.one/media/person/15437/gallery-333976bca57c.jpg) Fionnula Flanagan — Image via TMDB - ![Fionnula Flanagan at a Sinn Féin meeting for the Save Moore Street campaign (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/15437/gallery-50f871d63d29.jpg) Fionnula Flanagan at a Sinn Féin meeting for the Save Moore Street campaign (2012) — Fionnula_Flanagan1.jpg: Sinn Féin Fionnula_Flanagan_(cropped).jpg: * Sinn Féin (original) Supernino (derivative work) derivative work: Jorgebarrios, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Fionnula_Flanagan_cropped_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Fionnula Flanagan](https://film.one/media/person/15437/gallery-2798ea74cdf1.jpg) Fionnula Flanagan — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 1974: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (nominated) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/fionnula-flanagan