---
name: "Tommy Flanagan"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/tommy-flanagan"
fi1m_id: "tommy-flanagan"
imdb_id: "nm0281107"
tmdb_id: 2478
wikidata_id: "Q134133"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "3 July 1965"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 71
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-10-07T19:11:47.242809+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."
---

# Tommy Flanagan

## Identity

Tommy Flanagan

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/tommy-flanagan
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** tommy-flanagan
- **IMDb ID:** nm0281107
- **TMDB ID:** 2478
- **Wikidata ID:** Q134133
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Flanagan_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q134133, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0281107/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2478

Actor. Born 3 July 1965 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 3 July 1965, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
- **Active:** 1995–present
- **Also known as:** Tommy J. Flanagan , Thomas Flanagan
- **Average Fi1m score:** 71, as actor, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 79 (4), 2000s 64 (3), 2010s 70 (2), 2020s 63 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 66 across 10 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 7 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 2 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 6, Crime 5, Action 4, Adventure 2, Science Fiction 2, Thriller 2
- **Screen time:** 15 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,850m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Flanagan_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q134133, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0281107/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2478

## Streaming the US now

- **The Criterion Channel:** [*Ratcatcher*](https://film.one/film/ratcatcher.md) (88)
- **Disney+:** [*Sons of Anarchy*](https://film.one/tv/sons-of-anarchy.md) (67)

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

## Fi1m on Tommy Flanagan

> Tommy Flanagan is too often asked to look dangerous and leave it there. We value the feeling he brings to hard-edged supporting parts, though *Ratcatcher* shows how much even an interesting actor needs the writing to give him room.

In *Ratcatcher* (1999), Tommy Flanagan’s Da is a father we come to know in glimpses, with a child’s understanding setting the limits. He interests us enough that we want more time with him, which is a credit to the actor and a problem with the film. Lynne Ramsay gives such close attention to James’s feelings that the adults can be left insufficiently explained. We were frustrated by the brief views of Da and Mandy Matthews’s Ma, because there was a troubled family here we wanted to understand more fully.

Casting has made frequent use of his Scottish accent and hard-edged appearance, often putting him in violent or criminal parts. Morrison in *Braveheart* (1995) was the breakthrough, followed by supporting work in *Face/Off* (1997), *The Game* (1997) and, as Cicero, *Gladiator* (2000). A tough supporting part can be precisely what a film needs. The trouble comes when recognising the type is all the film asks of us.

*Sons of Anarchy* (2008–2014) changed the scale of the opportunity, giving him seven seasons as Filip ‘Chibs’ Telford. The part brought wider recognition and made sustained ensemble work a substantial part of his reputation. For an actor repeatedly cast for an immediately recognisable toughness, that continuity matters: a character has time to become familiar for more than his appearance. It also gives us more opportunity to judge what he can do beyond introducing a supporting figure quickly.

What we value in *Ratcatcher* is the sense that Da deserves closer attention, even when Ramsay does not give him enough. Flanagan brings feeling to a paternal figure who could otherwise remain a type, and the limitation lies in how little of his behaviour we are allowed to see. That is a caveat about a film we rate highly for its patient attention to physical detail and unsentimental account of childhood. Begin there, but do not expect the adults to be as fully drawn as the child.

## Biography

Tommy Flanagan is a Scottish actor. He was born on 3 July 1965 in Glasgow and began his career with the Raindog Theatre Company in his native city.

Flanagan made his screen debut in the television series Screen One and Taggart before appearing as Morrison in *Braveheart* (1995). He played Da in *Ratcatcher* (1999), Cicero in *Gladiator* (2000) and Filip "Chibs" Telford in the series *Sons of Anarchy* (2008–2014). Other credits include *Face/Off* (1997), *The Game* (1997), *Sin City* (2005), *AVP: Alien vs. Predator* (2004), *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* (2017) and *House of the Dragon* (2022).

His facial scars resulted from a knife attack sustained while working as a DJ.

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

## On Fi1m (10)

- *MobLand* (2025), Fi1m 63, as Moody — [page](https://film.one/tv/mobland.md)
- *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* (2017), Fi1m 64, as Tullk — [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2.md)
- *Peaky Blinders* (2013), Fi1m 77, as Arthur Senior — [page](https://film.one/tv/peaky-blinders.md)
- *Sons of Anarchy* (2008), Fi1m 67, as Filip 'Chibs' Telford — [page](https://film.one/tv/sons-of-anarchy.md)
- *Sin City* (2005), Fi1m 75, as Brian — [page](https://film.one/film/sin-city.md)
- *Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle* (2003), Fi1m 50, as Irish Henchman — [page](https://film.one/film/charlies-angels-full-throttle.md)
- *Ratcatcher* (1999), Fi1m 88, as Da — [page](https://film.one/film/ratcatcher.md)
- *Face/Off* (1997), Fi1m 84, as Leo — [page](https://film.one/film/face-off.md)
- *The Game* (1997), Fi1m 76, as Solicitor / Taxi Driver — [page](https://film.one/film/the-game.md)
- *Braveheart* (1995), Fi1m 68, as Morrison — [page](https://film.one/film/braveheart.md)

## Complete filmography (69)

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

- *Labyrinth* (2025), Actor
- *MobLand* (2025), series, as Moody — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/mobland.md)
- *The Perfect Couple* (2024), series, as Broderick Graham
- *Sleeping Dogs* (2024), as Jimmy Remis
- *House of the Dragon* (2022), series, as Ser Roderick Dustin
- *Code Name Banshee* (2022), as Anthony Greene
- *There Are No Saints* (2022), as Jet Rink
- *Boon* (2022), as Mr. Fitzgerald
- *Power Book IV: Force* (2022), series, as Walter Flynn
- *Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher* (2021), as Holden
- *40-Love* (2021), as Petrov
- *The Intergalactic Adventures of Max Cloud* (2020), as Brock Donnelly
- *American Fighter* (2020), as McClellen
- *The Rising Hawk* (2019), as Tuhar Vovk
- *The Wave* (2019), as Aeolus
- *Wu Assassins* (2019), series, as Alec McCullough
- *Killers Anonymous* (2019), as Markus
- *3 Way Junction* (2018), as Nick
- *Legal Action* (2018), as Mr. Gates
- *Mayans M.C.* (2018), series, as Filip 'Chibs' Telford
- *Adolescence* (2018), as Shepard
- *The Ballad of Lefty Brown* (2017), as Tom Harrah
- *Papillon* (2017), as Masked Breton
- *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* (2017), as Tullk — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2.md)
- *Sand Castle* (2017), as Sergeant McGregor
- *Running Wild* (2017), as Jon Kilpatrick
- *48 Hours to Live* (2016), as Kipling
- *Westworld* (2016), series, as Martin Connells — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/westworld-2016.md)
- *Winter* (2015), as Woods Weston
- *Gotham* (2014), series, as Tom the Knife
- *Peaky Blinders* (2013), series, as Arthur Senior — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/peaky-blinders.md)
- *Officer Down* (2013), as Father Reddy
- *Revenge* (2011), series, as Malcolm Black
- *Luster* (2010), as Les
- *Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball* (2010), as Lazlo Soot
- *Lie to Me* (2009), series, as Ron Marshall
- *Sons of Anarchy* (2008), series, as Filip 'Chibs' Telford — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/tv/sons-of-anarchy.md)
- *Hero Wanted* (2008), as Derek
- *Smokin' Aces* (2006), as Lazlo Soot
- *The Last Drop* (2006), as Dennis Baker
- *When a Stranger Calls* (2006), as Stranger
- *Sin City* (2005), as Brian — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/sin-city.md)
- *Trauma* (2004), as Tommy
- *AVP: Alien vs. Predator* (2004), as Mark Verheiden
- *Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle* (2003), as Irish Henchman — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/charlies-angels-full-throttle.md)
- *Ultimate Fights from the Movies* (2002), as Cicero (Gladiator) (archive footage)
- *All About the Benjamins* (2002), as Williamson
- *Dead Dogs Lie* (2001), as Michael
- *24* (2001), series, as Gabriel Schector — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/24.md)
- *Strictly Sinatra* (2001), as Michaelangelo
- *Attila* (2001), series, as Bleda
- *Attila* (2001), as Bleda
- *Sunset Strip* (2000), as Duncan
- *Gladiator* (2000), as Cicero — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/gladiator.md)
- *Rebus* (2000), series, as Thomas Telford
- *Ratcatcher* (1999), as Da — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/ratcatcher.md)
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Connor Murphy
- *Plunkett & Macleane* (1999), as Eddie
- *The Game* (1997), as Solicitor / Taxi Driver — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/the-game.md)
- *Face/Off* (1997), as Leo — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/face-off.md)
- *The Saint* (1997), as Scarface
- *The Lucky Suit* (1996), Actor
- *A Mug's Game* (1996), series, as Paul
- *Jolly: A Life* (1995), as Man at Grotto
- *Braveheart* (1995), as Morrison — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/braveheart.md)
- *Tis' the Season to be Jolly* (1993), as Prisoner
- *The Hawk* (1993), as Harry (as Sean Flanagan)
- *Black and Blue* (1992), as Brett-Smith Family Heavy (uncredited)
- *Legends*, series, as Tommy Flanagan (Filip 'Chibs' Telford)

## Gallery

- ![Tommy Flanagan](https://film.one/media/person/89071/gallery-8e3a83bd811c.jpg) Tommy Flanagan — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Tommy_Flanagan_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-Tommy_Flanagan_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Mark Boone Junior and Tommy Flanagan speaking at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Sons of Anarchy", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Di](https://film.one/media/person/89071/gallery-ec88d9f941a2.jpg) Mark Boone Junior and Tommy Flanagan speaking at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Sons of Anarchy", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Di — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Mark_Boone_Junior_%26_Tommy_Flanagan_%289365993636%29.jpg/1280px-Mark_Boone_Junior_%26_Tommy_Flanagan_%289365993636%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Theo Rossi, Mark Boone Junior, Tommy Flanagan and Dayton Callie speaking at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Sons of Anarchy", at the San Diego ](https://film.one/media/person/89071/gallery-e5da809f558f.jpg) Theo Rossi, Mark Boone Junior, Tommy Flanagan and Dayton Callie speaking at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Sons of Anarchy", at the San Diego  — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Theo_Rossi%2C_Mark_Boone_Junior%2C_Tommy_Flanagan_%26_Dayton_Callie_%289363303963%29.jpg/1280px-Theo_Rossi%2C_Mark_Boone_Junior%2C_Tommy_Flanagan_%26_Dayton_Callie_%289363303963%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Tommy Flanagan & Katey Sagal at the Paleyfest 2012: Son's of Anarchy.](https://film.one/media/person/89071/gallery-1fbe0af03d62.jpg) Tommy Flanagan & Katey Sagal at the Paleyfest 2012: Son's of Anarchy. — MingleMediaTVNetwork, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/Tommy_Flanagan%2C_Katey_Sagal.jpg/1280px-Tommy_Flanagan%2C_Katey_Sagal.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Tommy Flanagan](https://film.one/media/person/89071/gallery-c75811bfbeba.jpg) Tommy Flanagan — Image via TMDB
- ![Tommy Flanagan speaking at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/89071/gallery-922e0d8d068d.jpg) Tommy Flanagan speaking at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/Tommy_Flanagan_%287607389532%29.jpg/1280px-Tommy_Flanagan_%287607389532%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Tommy Flanagan speaking at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/89071/gallery-ebf7b6585089.jpg) Tommy Flanagan speaking at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Tommy_Flanagan_%287607399616%29.jpg/1280px-Tommy_Flanagan_%287607399616%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© 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/tommy-flanagan