---
name: "Ian McElhinney"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/ian-mcelhinney"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "19 August 1948"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-09-17T15:13:25.302548+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."
---

# Ian McElhinney

Actor. Born 19 August 1948 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 19 August 1948, Belfast, Northern Ireland
- **Active:** 1996–2018
- **Also known as:** Ίαν ΜακΕλχίνεϊ, 이안 매켈리니
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 78 (3), 2010s 73 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 78 to 75 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 6, Crime 2, Comedy 1, History 1, Mystery 1, Thriller 1
- **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $22m across 2 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_McElhinney, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5982285, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0568400/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/43138

## Coming up

- *The Lost Children of Tuam* (2026-09-25)
- *Committed* (2027-01-05)

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*Derry Girls*](https://film.one/tv/derry-girls.md) (83)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Unforgotten*](https://film.one/tv/unforgotten.md) (64)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Ian McElhinney

> Ian McElhinney makes authority convincing enough to be funny when it is misused. His Granda Joe in *Derry Girls* is a particularly good use of that gift: a family patriarch who treats an innocent son-in-law as a permanent source of offence.

Granda Joe has decided that Gerry is at fault, and the lack of evidence does not trouble him. In *Derry Girls* (2018), Ian McElhinney makes that unreasonable hostility a dependable pleasure, helped by Tommy Tiernan's Gerry, who knows he has done nothing wrong and that the campaign will never end. We laughed because Gerry has done nothing to deserve any of this, and Joe carries on regardless. McElhinney gives him enough weight for the bullying to register, without making him too forbidding for the comedy.

That family authority fits a career spent largely in supporting parts, stretching back to the early 1980s. He is often cast as officers, detectives and grandfathers, people accustomed to having a say. His Belfast detective in *Michael Collins* (1996) and Ser Barristan Selmy in *Game of Thrones* (2011) belong to that pattern. The latter series brought him wider recognition. With Joe, that familiar casting gives the comedy a head start: we recognise the family elder and then discover how badly he behaves.

In Lisa McGee's sitcom, the adults have less time than the teenagers to make themselves known, which suits a performer who can establish a patriarch without much explanation. Tiernan supplies the patience that makes Joe's antagonism funny; the exchange needs both actors. Siobhán McSweeney's Sister Michael gets the biggest laughs with the least movement, and McElhinney works well within that company rather than demanding every scene. Our reservation about the series is its repetitive plotting, not these tightly drawn adults, who can make an old grievance worth hearing again.

That familiarity has a limit, since another production may need only someone who looks entitled to give orders. His brief appearance as General Dodonna in *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story* (2016) offers much less room for the particularity that makes Joe worth watching. We would welcome more parts that let him be difficult for such small, comprehensible reasons. Start with *Derry Girls*; another uniform can wait.

## Biography

Ian McElhinney is a Northern Irish actor and director. Born in Belfast, he studied at Brandeis University and worked as a teacher before beginning his acting career in the early 1980s.

He has appeared in numerous television series and films. Notable roles include Ser Barristan Selmy in *Game of Thrones* (2011–2015), General Dodonna in *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story* (2016), Granda Joe in *Derry Girls* (2018–2022), and Lord Tony Hume in *Unforgotten* (2015, 2023). He is married to playwright Marie Jones.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (6)

- *Derry Girls* (2018), Fi1m 83, as Granda Joe — [page](https://film.one/tv/derry-girls.md)
- *Unforgotten* (2015), Fi1m 64, as Lord Tony Hume — [page](https://film.one/tv/unforgotten.md)
- *The Fall* (2013), Fi1m 73, as Morgan Monroe — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fall-2013.md)
- *Queer as Folk* (1999), Fi1m 79, as Clive Jones — [page](https://film.one/tv/queer-as-folk.md)
- *Hamlet* (1996), Fi1m 81, as Barnardo — [page](https://film.one/film/hamlet.md)
- *Michael Collins* (1996), Fi1m 75, as Belfast Detective — [page](https://film.one/film/michael-collins.md)

## Complete filmography (121)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Committed* (2027), series, Acting
- *The Lost Children of Tuam* (2026), Acting
- *Finnegan's Foursome* (2026), as Jack Finnegan
- *Small Town, Big Story* (2025), series, as Reverend Patterson
- *Secrets of The Christmas Market* (2024), as Narrator
- *High Country* (2024), series, as Sam Dryson
- *The Boys in the Boat* (2023), as Elderly Joe Rantz
- *The Last Rifleman* (2023), as Tom Malcolmson
- *A Small Light* (2023), series, as Johannes Kleiman
- *Andor: A Disney+ Day Special Look* (2022), as General Jan Dodonna (archive footage) (uncredited)
- *The Ulysses Project* (2022), as Mr. Deasy / Barrister JJ Molloy
- *Suspicion* (2022), series, as Grandad
- *The Outlaws* (2021), series, as John Snr
- *Bloodlands* (2021), series, as Adam Corry
- *Father Father* (2019), Acting
- *Mrs Wilson* (2018), series, as Father Timothy
- *Zoo* (2018), as Mr. Shawcross
- *Dave Allen at Peace* (2018), as Priest
- *Krypton* (2018), series, as Val-El
- *Derry Girls* (2018), series, as Granda Joe — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/derry-girls.md)
- *Bad Day for the Cut* (2017), as Eamon
- *Kat & Alfie: Redwater* (2017), series, as Lance
- *The Journey* (2017), as Rory O'Suaird
- *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story* (2016), as General Dodonna
- *Sacrifice* (2016), as D.I. McKie
- *The Truth Commissioner* (2016), as James Fenton
- *Rebellion* (2016), series, as Edward Butler
- *The Frankenstein Chronicles* (2015), series, as Dr. Lenox
- *Unforgotten* (2015), series, as Lord Tony Hume — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/tv/unforgotten.md)
- *A Patch of Fog* (2015), as Freddie Clarke
- *Van Morrison – Up on Cyprus Avenue* (2015), as Narrator
- *The Death of a Projectionist* (2015), as Gerry
- *Game of Thrones The IMAX Experience* (2015), as Barristan Selmy
- *Babylon* (2014), series, as Maher
- *Quirke* (2014), series, as Bill Latimer
- *The Fall* (2013), series, as Morgan Monroe — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fall-2013.md)
- *Wodehouse In Exile* (2013), as Major Cussen
- *Ripper Street* (2012), series, as Theodore Swift
- *Titanic: Blood and Steel* (2012), series, as Sir Henry Carlton
- *Bomb Squad Men: The Long Walk* (2012), as Narrator
- *Titanic: Born in Belfast* (2012), as Narrator
- *Game of Thrones* (2011), series, as Barristan Selmy — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/game-of-thrones.md)
- *Brendan Smyth:  Betrayal of Trust* (2011), as Abbot Smith
- *Three Wise Women* (2010), as David
- *An Old Fashioned Christmas* (2010), as Sean
- *Leap Year* (2010), as Priest
- *Make it New John* (2010), as John
- *Triage* (2009), as Ivan
- *Scapegoat* (2009), as H. A. McVeigh QC
- *Storyland* (2009), series, as Gerard
- *City of Ember* (2008), as Builder
- *Of Best Intentions* (2008), Acting
- *Clay* (2008), as Father O'Mahoney
- *Fairy Tales* (2008), series, as Vice Chancellor Ralph Graham
- *Closing the Ring* (2007), as Cathal Thomas
- *The Tudors* (2007), series, as Pope Clement VII
- *Single-Handed* (2007), series, as Ex-Garda Sergeant Gerry Driscoll
- *The Front Line* (2006), as Mikey
- *Doctor Who* (2005), series, as Ko Sharmus
- *Omagh* (2005), as Stanley McCombe
- *On Eagle's Wing* (2005), Director
- *Hornblower: Loyalty* (2003), as Captain Hammond
- *No Tears* (2002), series, as Padraig McFadden
- *Mapmaker* (2001), as Sergeant Devlin
- *Murphy's Law* (2001), series, as Fulton
- *Hornblower: Retribution* (2001), as Captain Hammond
- *Borstal Boy* (2001), as Verreker
- *In Defence* (2000), series, as DCS David Dillne
- *The King's Wake* (2000), as Athairne
- *Durango* (1999), as Vestor McCarthy
- *Queer as Folk* (1999), series, as Clive Jones — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/queer-as-folk.md)
- *Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant* (1998), as Captain Hammond
- *Cold Feet* (1998), series, as Bill Williams
- *Hornblower* (1998), series, as Captain Hammond
- *Touch and Go* (1998), as Clive Bevan
- *Maisie Raine* (1998), series, as C.S. Jack Freeman
- *Silicone Valerie* (1998), Acting
- *The Boxer* (1997), as Reggie Bell
- *This Is the Sea* (1997), as Da Stokes
- *Wokenwell* (1997), series, Acting
- *Hamlet* (1996), as Barnardo — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/hamlet.md)
- *The Boy from Mercury* (1996), as Brother Dowdall
- *Michael Collins* (1996), as Belfast Detective — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/michael-collins.md)
- *Safe And Sound* (1996), series, as Higgins
- *Small Faces* (1996), Acting
- *Life After Life* (1995), as Working out governor
- *Hearts and Minds* (1995), series, as Alex
- *Beyond Reason* (1995), as Smythe QC
- *A Breed of Heroes* (1994), as Father O'Browne
- *Blind Justice* (1994), as Father Malone
- *A Woman's Guide to Adultery* (1993), series, as Martin
- *Circles of Deceit* (1993), as Father Fergal
- *You, Me & Marley* (1992), as Reggie Devine
- *The Playboys* (1992), as Joe Cassidy
- *Children of the North* (1991), as O'Hare
- *The Grasscutter* (1990), as Brian Deeds
- *Hidden Agenda* (1990), as Jack Cunnigham
- *Fools of Fortune* (1990), as Stranger
- *Shoot to Kill* (1990), as ACC Trevor Forbes
- *Who Bombed Birmingham?* (1990), as Sinn Fein leader
- *The Lilac Bus* (1990), as Billy
- *Reefer and the Model* (1988), as Reefer
- *Wipe Out* (1988), series, as Max Raines
- *A Prayer for the Dying* (1987), as Lodger
- *The Rockingham Shoot* (1987), as John Reilly
- *Dead Entry* (1987), series, as Martin Galbraith
- *Naming the Names* (1987), as Mr McBride
- *Lamb* (1986), as Maguire
- *Casualty* (1986), series, as Robert Finch
- *The End of the World Man* (1986), as Architect
- *Shergar* (1986), as Damien
- *Lovejoy* (1986), series, as Ceiran Stow
- *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Working Out Governor, Inspector McBride
- *Anne Devlin* (1984), as Maj. Sirr
- *A Woman Calling* (1984), as Mr Burke
- *Acceptable Levels* (1983), as Andy
- *Potatohead Blues* (1982), as Mousey
- *Angel* (1982), as Groom
- *Playhouse* (1974), series, as Mousey
- *So You're Going to Die*, as Mickey
- *Mutant: Year Zero*, as (voice)

## Gallery

- ![Ser Barristan Selmy in Game of Thrones. Red Carpet @ HBO GoT Exhibition, Belfast 10 June 2014](https://film.one/media/person/409437/gallery-dfbdc8a95706.jpg) Ser Barristan Selmy in Game of Thrones. Red Carpet @ HBO GoT Exhibition, Belfast 10 June 2014 — Sam from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Ian_McElhinney.jpg/1280px-Ian_McElhinney.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ian McElhinney](https://film.one/media/person/409437/gallery-fc48b986db94.jpg) Ian McElhinney — Sam from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Ian_McElhinney_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Ian_McElhinney_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Stuttgart 2024 - ComicCon - Ian McElhinney](https://film.one/media/person/409437/gallery-e79493522ad6.jpg) Stuttgart 2024 - ComicCon - Ian McElhinney — Raboe001, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Stuttgart_2024_-_ComicCon_-_Ian_McElhinney_-_by-RaBoe_005.jpg/1280px-Stuttgart_2024_-_ComicCon_-_Ian_McElhinney_-_by-RaBoe_005.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Stuttgart 2024 - ComicCon - Ian McElhinney](https://film.one/media/person/409437/gallery-d734fb00bd58.jpg) Stuttgart 2024 - ComicCon - Ian McElhinney — Raboe001, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/Stuttgart_2024_-_ComicCon_-_Ian_McElhinney_-_by-RaBoe_008.jpg/1280px-Stuttgart_2024_-_ComicCon_-_Ian_McElhinney_-_by-RaBoe_008.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ian McElhinney](https://film.one/media/person/409437/gallery-3e0e2d2abc98.jpg) Ian McElhinney — Image via TMDB
- ![Stuttgart 2024 - ComicCon - Ian McElhinney](https://film.one/media/person/409437/gallery-69315f98c4d9.jpg) Stuttgart 2024 - ComicCon - Ian McElhinney — Raboe001, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Stuttgart_2024_-_ComicCon_-_Ian_McElhinney_-_by-RaBoe_015.jpg/1280px-Stuttgart_2024_-_ComicCon_-_Ian_McElhinney_-_by-RaBoe_015.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Other awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play 2001: Tony Award for Best Direction of 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/ian-mcelhinney