---
name: "Michael Smiley"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/michael-smiley"
fi1m_id: "michael-smiley"
imdb_id: "nm0806968"
tmdb_id: 17078
wikidata_id: "Q6834458"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "29 January 1963"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 16
average_fi1m_score: 77
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 14
updated: "2026-10-07T16:30:31.355819+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."
---

# Michael Smiley

## Identity

Michael Smiley

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/michael-smiley
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** michael-smiley
- **IMDb ID:** nm0806968
- **TMDB ID:** 17078
- **Wikidata ID:** Q6834458
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Smiley, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6834458, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0806968/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17078

Actor. Born 29 January 1963 in Belfast, Ireland.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 29 January 1963, Belfast, Ireland
- **Active:** 1999–present
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 16: 14 acting, 2 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Kate Dickie](https://film.one/person/kate-dickie.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 77, as actor, over 14 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 86 (1), 2000s 79 (3), 2010s 76 (9), 2020s 79 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 75 across 12 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 9 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 8 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 12, Crime 5, Mystery 4, Comedy 3, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 3, Action 1
- **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $16m across 2 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Smiley, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6834458, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0806968/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17078

## Streaming the US now

- **AMC+:** [*Kill List*](https://film.one/film/kill-list.md) (82), [*Luther*](https://film.one/tv/luther.md) (72)
- **Netflix:** [*Black Mirror*](https://film.one/tv/black-mirror.md) (81)
- **Apple TV:** [*Bad Sisters*](https://film.one/tv/bad-sisters.md) (78)
- **HBO Max:** [*The Lobster*](https://film.one/film/the-lobster.md) (78)
- **Tubi:** [*Jawbone*](https://film.one/film/jawbone.md) (70)

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

## Fi1m on Michael Smiley

> Michael Smiley makes dangerous men sound like people we might know, and that familiarity makes them harder to dismiss. We value his comic timing and unshowy humanity most when the material gets unpleasant.

In *Kill List* (2011), Michael Smiley and Neil Maskell talk with the ease of men who have spent too much time together. Smiley’s Gal and Maskell’s Jay are hitmen, but their conversations sound ordinary enough to make the brutality harder to watch. We were unnerved by the domestic friction before the graphic shocks arrived, because the plain playing made it feel embarrassingly familiar. Smiley helps make these people credible enough that we cannot comfortably dismiss what they do as horror-film business.

The early television breakthrough was Tyres O’Flaherty in *Spaced* (1999), and the comic timing and ease in company remain important to his dramatic work. *Kill List* helped establish him in independent British cinema; it also gave those qualities a disturbing use. He is often cast as intimidating figures, with vulnerability still visible beneath the threat. We respond to the lack of fuss: a violent character can remain recognisably human without a performance pleading for our sympathy.

Ben Wheatley is the key director here, and his screenplay with Amy Jump gives Smiley and Maskell everyday speech worth trusting. The actors make the criminal partnership feel familiar rather than presenting each exchange as a warning. It is a useful reminder of how much an unsettling film can gain from performers who do not insist on sounding unsettling themselves. Smiley’s continuing work with Wheatley includes *Free Fire* (2016), where he plays Frank in a contained, dialogue-driven crime thriller. The ensemble setting makes sense for an actor whose feel for the people around him is such a strength.

Our reservation is about how far that credibility can carry a film. The final stretch of *Kill List* is less persuasive, and admiration for the two leads does not remove the problem. Start there for Smiley, provided the warning about its violence is taken seriously.

## Biography

Michael Smiley (born 29 January 1963) is a Northern Irish comedian and actor. Born in Belfast, he moved to London in 1983 and began performing stand-up comedy in 1993 after accepting a bet at an open-mic night. He had previously worked as a cycle courier and acid house DJ.

Smiley gained recognition for his role as Tyres O'Flaherty in the sitcom *Spaced* (1999–2001). He has appeared in films including *Shaun of the Dead* (2004), *Perfume: The Story of a Murderer* (2006), *Kill List* (2011) — for which he won the British Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Actor — *The World's End* (2013), *The Lobster* (2015) and *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story* (2016). On television he has played roles in *Luther*, *Utopia*, *Black Mirror* (as Baxter in the 2013 episode 'White Bear'), and *Doctor Who*.

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

## On Fi1m (16)

### Performed in (14) — the average rests on these

- *Alien: Earth* (2025), Fi1m 76, as Shmuel — [page](https://film.one/tv/alien-earth.md)
- *Blue Lights* (2023), Fi1m 82, as Paul 'Colly' Collins — [page](https://film.one/tv/blue-lights.md)
- *Bad Sisters* (2022), Fi1m 78, as Roger Muldoon — [page](https://film.one/tv/bad-sisters.md)
- *Jawbone* (2017), Fi1m 70, as Eddie — [page](https://film.one/film/jawbone.md)
- *The Lobster* (2015), Fi1m 78, as Loner Swimmer — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lobster.md)
- *For Those in Peril* (2013), Fi1m 73, as Frank — [page](https://film.one/film/for-those-in-peril.md)
- *Shell* (2013), Fi1m 72, as Hugh — [page](https://film.one/film/shell.md)
- *Utopia* (2013), Fi1m 83, as Detective Inspector Joshua Reynolds — [page](https://film.one/tv/utopia.md)
- *Ripper Street* (2012), Fi1m 74, as George Lusk — [page](https://film.one/tv/ripper-street.md)
- *Black Mirror* (2011), Fi1m 81, as Baxter — [page](https://film.one/tv/black-mirror.md)
- *Kill List* (2011), Fi1m 82, as Gal — [page](https://film.one/film/kill-list.md)
- *Luther* (2010), Fi1m 72, as Benny Silver — [page](https://film.one/tv/luther.md)
- *ShakespeaRe-Told* (2005), Fi1m 66, as Peter — [page](https://film.one/tv/shakespeare-told.md)
- *Spaced* (1999), Fi1m 86, as Tyres O'Flaherty — [page](https://film.one/tv/spaced.md)

### Also credited (2) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Would I Lie to You?* (2007), Fi1m 85, as Self — [page](https://film.one/tv/would-i-lie-to-you.md)
- *Shaun of the Dead* (2004), Fi1m 85, as Bicycle Courier Zombie  (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/shaun-of-the-dead.md)

## Complete filmography (91)

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

- *Skintown* (2026), Actor
- *STUCK* (2026), as Martin O'Bannon
- *Lydia* (2026), Actor
- *Nostalgie* (2025), as Jimmy
- *Alien: Earth* (2025), series, as Shmuel — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/alien-earth.md)
- *Bookworm* (2024), as Arnold
- *The Devil Went Down to Islington* (2023), as Father Crowley
- *Evie* (2023), as Father Robert
- *Obituary* (2023), series, as Ward Clancy
- *Blue Lights* (2023), series, as Paul 'Colly' Collins — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/blue-lights.md)
- *Seats* (2022), as Driver
- *The Silent Twins* (2022), as Tim Thomas
- *Bad Sisters* (2022), series, as Roger Muldoon — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/bad-sisters.md)
- *The Curse* (2022), series, as Ronnie Gatlin
- *Ragdoll* (2021), series, as DS Finlay
- *The Toll* (2021), as Toll Booth
- *Gunpowder Milkshake* (2021), as Dr. Ricky
- *Censor* (2021), as Doug Smart
- *Bloodlands* (2021), series, as Dinger
- *Rough* (2020), Actor
- *Dead Still* (2020), series, as Brock Blennerhasset
- *Rialto* (2020), as Noel
- *Le Petite Mort* (2019), Producer, Director
- *Come to Daddy* (2019), as Jethro
- *The Belly of the Whale* (2018), as Gits Hegarty
- *Death and Nightingales* (2018), series, as Dummy McGonnell
- *Otzi and the Mystery of Time* (2018), as Otzi
- *The Nun* (2018), as Father Pasquale
- *Birthmarked* (2018), as Gertz
- *A Pornographer Woos* (2017), as The Writer
- *Madame* (2017), as David Reville
- *Tulip Fever* (2017), as Pieter
- *Jawbone* (2017), as Eddie — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/jawbone.md)
- *Free Fire* (2017), as Frank
- *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story* (2016), as Dr. Evazan — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story.md)
- *My Name Is Emily* (2016), as Robert
- *The Aliens* (2016), series, as Antoine
- *Murder* (2016), series, as Whitmore Harris
- *Two Angry Men* (2016), as Frank Reynolds
- *Orthodox* (2015), as Reg Shannon
- *The Hallow* (2015), as Garda Davey
- *Group B* (2015), as Martin Kelly
- *Tank 432* (2015), as Capper
- *The Lobster* (2015), as Loner Swimmer — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lobster.md)
- *Glassland* (2015), as Jim
- *Black Sea* (2014), as Reynolds
- *1500 Words* (2014), as Narrator (voice)
- *Shelter* (2014), as Lance Corporal Frank Ainsworth
- *Edge of Heaven* (2014), series, as Snowy
- *Ambassadors* (2013), series, as Jackson
- *Pieces* (2013), as Father
- *Talking to the Dead* (2013), series, as David Penry
- *Father Figure* (2013), series, as Roddy
- *The World's End* (2013), as Reverend Green
- *A Field in England* (2013), as O'Neil
- *We Are the Freaks* (2013), as Killer Colin
- *Svengali* (2013), as Irish Pierre
- *For Those in Peril* (2013), as Frank — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/for-those-in-peril.md)
- *Shell* (2013), as Hugh — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/shell.md)
- *The ABCs of Death* (2013), as Father Tom (U is for Unearthed)
- *Utopia* (2013), series, as Detective Inspector Joshua Reynolds — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/utopia.md)
- *Ripper Street* (2012), series, as George Lusk — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/ripper-street.md)
- *BBC Comedy Feeds* (2012), series, as Les
- *Boy* (2012), as Security Guard
- *Orthodox* (2012), as Shannon
- *Black Mirror* (2011), series, as Baxter — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/black-mirror.md)
- *Kill List* (2011), as Gal — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/kill-list.md)
- *Stolen* (2011), as Sean
- *Burke & Hare* (2010), as Patterson
- *Down Terrace* (2010), as Pringle
- *Luther* (2010), series, as Benny Silver — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/luther.md)
- *Believe* (2009), as Lewis
- *Outpost* (2008), as McKey
- *The Other Boleyn Girl* (2008), as Physician
- *In the Spider's Web* (2007), as Phil
- *Grindhouse* (2007), as (segment "Don't") (uncredited)
- *Perfume: The Story of a Murderer* (2006), as Porter
- *Land of the Blind* (2006), as Thorne's Lieutenant
- *ShakespeaRe-Told* (2005), series, as Peter — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/shakespeare-told.md)
- *Much Ado About Nothing* (2005), as Peter
- *Blood* (2005), Actor
- *Doctor Who* (2005), series, as Colonel Morgan Blue — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who-2005.md)
- *Murder Prevention* (2004), series, as DC Maurice Gibney
- *Shaun of the Dead* (2004), as Bicycle Courier Zombie  (uncredited) — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/shaun-of-the-dead.md)
- *Hustle* (2004), series, as Max
- *Mint Royale: Blue Song* (2003), as Bank Robber
- *Wire in the Blood* (2002), series, as Dr Liam Kerwin
- *Rose and Maloney* (2002), series, as DS Mallam
- *Burnside* (2000), series, Actor
- *Spaced* (1999), series, as Tyres O'Flaherty — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/spaced.md)
- *The Riders*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Michael Smiley](https://film.one/media/person/46689/gallery-0d5bd03075f5.jpg) Michael Smiley — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Michael_Smiley_2016_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Michael Smiley and Sam Riley at the premiere of Free Fire, 2016 Toronto Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/46689/gallery-90ca3934300d.jpg) Michael Smiley and Sam Riley at the premiere of Free Fire, 2016 Toronto Film Festival — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/Michael_Smiley_and_Sam_Riley_2016_%2829485354800%29.jpg/1280px-Michael_Smiley_and_Sam_Riley_2016_%2829485354800%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Michael Smiley at the TV BAFTA red carpet, May 26 (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/46689/gallery-e817d401aa74.jpg) Michael Smiley at the TV BAFTA red carpet, May 26 (2026) — JaceMerlyn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Michael_Smiley_at_BAFTAs_2026_01.jpg/1280px-Michael_Smiley_at_BAFTAs_2026_01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Michael Smiley at the TV BAFTA red carpet, May 26 (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/46689/gallery-dbc2587f137a.jpg) Michael Smiley at the TV BAFTA red carpet, May 26 (2026) — JaceMerlyn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Michael_Smiley_at_BAFTAs_2026_02.jpg/1280px-Michael_Smiley_at_BAFTAs_2026_02.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Michael Smiley](https://film.one/media/person/46689/gallery-3d427300d670.jpg) Michael Smiley — Image via TMDB
- ![Michael Smiley](https://film.one/media/person/46689/gallery-d4623a3c2bf0.jpg) Michael Smiley — Image via TMDB
- ![Michael Smiley at the TV BAFTA red carpet, May 26 (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/46689/gallery-a3a5065cadf5.jpg) Michael Smiley at the TV BAFTA red carpet, May 26 (2026) — JaceMerlyn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/Michael_Smiley_at_BAFTAs_2026_03.jpg/1280px-Michael_Smiley_at_BAFTAs_2026_03.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won

- British Independent Film Awards 2011: Best Supporting Actor (won), for *Kill List*

*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/michael-smiley