11 amazing Irish stars making waves in Hollywood

Bad Sisters was an international smash hit - and the star of the show, Sharon Horgan, had a huge presence behind the scenes of the project, having also served as a writer on the dark comedy-drama. The Apple TV+ series isn't the only project where the star - who was brought up in Bellewstown, County Meath - has made waves in Hollywood, as she also starred in the Jason Bateman mother Game Night, and created the hit Courteney Cox series Shining Vale.

We loved Nicola the moment we watched the hit comedy Derry Girls - but the star really made her name after starring as the season three lead in Netflix's hit show Bridgerton. Since then, Nicola - who grew up in Oranmore - has skyrocketed to fame, also starring as Diplomat Barbie in the hit Barbie movie, as well as the Doctor Who Christmas Special. She is also set to star alongside Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy in the Magic Faraway Tree as Silky.

In what world could we have missed Hollywood's hottest star right now off this list?! The County Kildarehas-born star recently graced the big screen with his epic film Gladiator II, where he plays the lead role of Lucius. However, he has been a hot property in Hollywood for a while now, also starring in Aftersun, All of Us Strangers and The Lost Daughter. He has a full schedule with future projects too, and is set to star in Hamnet and Merrily We Roll Along.

Since starring in the 2017 movie Dunkirk, Barry has shot to fame. Although the Dublin-based actor starred in the blockbuster Eternals, he really made his name in The Banshees of Inisherin, receiving Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for his role. Since then, he has gone from strength-to-strength, having everyone talking in the 2023 movie Saltburn, as well as the Apple TV+ show, Masters of the Air. The star is also something of a celebrity power couple, and is currently dating pop star sensation Sabrina Carpenter.

Starring opposite Paul in the upcoming adaptation of Hamnet, Jessie is known for taking on gritty roles or indie projects, but this hasn't stopped her from becoming a huge household name. Not only did the Killarney-born star opposite Olivia Colman in Wicked Little Letters and in the HBO series Chernobyl, she also received a BAFTA nod for Wild Rose, and had people talking in the Netflix movie I'm Thinking of Ending Things.

While the Dublin-born star is something of a Hollywood legend, we had to include him following his incredible turn as the Batman's villain Oz in the gritty HBO drama, The Penguin. It in, armed with prosthetics and a very convincing New York accent, Colin portrays the superhero's most unapologetic villain as he goes from humble beginnings to Gotham's kingpin.

Ruth grew up in Limerick, Ireland before moving to the UK in her teens. The incredible, Oscar-winning actress starred in perhaps one of the most talked about shows of 2024, the Apple TV+ murder mystery Presumed Innocent - following her leading roles in Agents of SHIELD and Preacher - and, of course, her Oscar-nominated performance in Loving. 

Speaking about her accent on The Late Late Show, she explained: "I moved to London and I was Black and Irish so there were two things that made me different. Someone laughed at the way I said 'thirty' and I was shocked that they would just laugh in front of somebody."

Andrew has been on our radar since Fleabag and Sherlock, but the star has gone on to star in Spectre, 1917 and more recently Akk of Us Strangers and Netflix's hit 2024 show, Ripley, which landed him an Emmy award nomination. 2025 is looking very bright for the Dublin-born star, who is set to star in Blue Moon, Pressure and Back in Action - as well as the third installment of the Knives Out series, Wake Up Dead Man.

Did you think we had forgotten someone? Cillian is perhaps the biggest Irish star of the year, having won the Oscar for his incredible role in Oppenheimer. Since then, the Cork-born actor has returned to Peaky Blinders for the movie adaptation, and appeared in Small Things Like These. He also has a very busy schedule, appearing in the return of the 28 Years Later franchise, where he is also serving as executive producer, as well as the lead role in the upcoming film Steve.

Is there a more iconic moment this year than Saorise's appearance on the Graham Norton Show where she had every woman and girl agree with her about self-defense. While the guys on the sofa joked about using a phone for self-defence, she chimed in: "That's what girls have to think about all the time," humbled a few famous faces and becoming a bit of a hero in the process. The star was promoting her Apple TV+ movie Blitz at the time, which has received hit critical reviews. It's been an extra busy year for Saorise, who also tied the knot with Slow Horses star Jack Lowden in a secret ceremony.

Fiona has come a long way from playing Harry's irritable Aunt Petunia in the Harry Potter franchise! The County Cork-born actress is set to voice star in That Christmas on Netflix, and star opposite Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney in the upcoming thriller, Echo Valley. She has also starred in the Star Wars spin-off Andor, True Detective: Night Country and made a very welcome appearance in Bad Sisters season two.