Josh Finan is a critically acclaimed British actor best known for his BAFTA-nominated portrayal of Marco in the BBC police drama The Responder and his leading role as Gerry Adams in the Disney+ series Say Nothing. Rising to prominence through the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Finan has established himself as a versatile performer across television, film, and elite stage productions like those of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
In this comprehensive guide, you will explore the life and career of Josh Finan, from his early years on the Wirral to his 2026 breakout leading roles in Waiting for the Out and How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. We provide a deep dive into his filmography, his transition from supporting actor to leading man, and his reputation for portraying complex, gritty characters with profound humanity.
Early Life and Roots in the Wirral
Josh Finan was born and raised on the Wirral, a peninsula in Merseyside near Liverpool, England. Growing up in a family with no prior ties to the entertainment industry, his interest in performing began in childhood through local drama classes held above a restaurant.
These early sessions, run by local teacher Julie Whitehead, provided a safe “playground” for Finan to develop his confidence and storytelling abilities. Although he initially felt shy—famously turning down the role of a king in a nursery play only to regret it later—these formative years instilled in him a lifelong passion for the craft.
Educational Background and Training
Before pursuing professional acting, Finan attended the University of Sheffield, where he earned a degree in English Literature. This academic background often informs his approach to scripts, as he is known for his deep intellectual engagement with character motivations and narrative structure.
Following his university studies, he enrolled at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He completed a two-year intensive course in professional acting, graduating in 2016 and joining a lineage of elite performers who trained at the institution.
Breakout Role in The Responder
Finan’s career reached a turning point in 2022 when he was cast as Marco in the BBC One drama The Responder. Playing a vulnerable yet street-smart drug informant opposite Martin Freeman’s Chris Carson, Finan delivered a performance that blended dark humor with tragic desperation.
The role was a significant milestone, earning him a BAFTA Television Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2023. His portrayal of Marco across two series solidified his reputation as one of the most compelling young actors in British television.
Portraying Gerry Adams in Say Nothing
In 2024, Finan took on the high-stakes challenge of playing a young Gerry Adams in the FX/Disney+ limited series Say Nothing. Based on the non-fiction book by Patrick Radden Keefe, the series explores the Troubles in Northern Ireland through the lives of those involved in the IRA.
Finan’s performance was noted for its calculated restraint and “watchful presence,” capturing Adams’ transition from a revolutionary leader to a political figure. To prepare for the role, Finan meticulously studied Adams’ mannerisms and speech patterns, marking it as one of his most transformative performances to date.
Netflix Success: The Gentlemen and Baby Reindeer
Finan further expanded his international profile in 2024 with key roles in two of Netflix’s most popular series. In Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen, he played Jethro, a character caught in the crosshairs of a criminal empire, showcasing his ability to handle Ritchie’s fast-paced, stylized dialogue.
He also appeared as Diggsy in the global phenomenon Baby Reindeer, created by Richard Gadd. These roles demonstrated his “chameleonic” ability to inhabit vastly different worlds, from high-octane crime capers to intimate, psychological dramas.
Leading Man Status in Waiting for the Out
The year 2026 marked Finan’s transition into leading man territory with the BBC series Waiting for the Out. Written by Dennis Kelly, the prison-set drama features Finan as Dan, a philosophy teacher and social worker navigating the complexities of the British penal system.
The role required a more internal, intellectual performance compared to his previous “gritty” roles, proving his range as a protagonist. Critics praised the series for its nuanced look at rehabilitation, with Finan’s performance serving as the emotional and moral anchor of the story.
Career in Professional Theatre
Despite his television success, Finan remains deeply rooted in the theatre, having performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). His stage credits include notable roles such as Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet and appearances in Macbeth and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
He has also starred in contemporary plays such as The Southbury Child at the Bridge Theatre and Shook at the Southwark Playhouse. Finan often credits his theatre background for his ability to remain “alive and alert” on camera, treating each take as a fresh rehearsal.
Collaborations and Artistic Influences
Finan has frequently cited actors like Stephen Graham and Martin Freeman as significant influences on his work. Having worked alongside them, he has adopted a naturalistic acting style that prioritizes authenticity and “happy accidents” over rigid rehearsals.
His collaboration with directors like Philip Barantini and Guy Ritchie has further shaped his adaptive approach. Finan is known for being an actor who isn’t afraid to show the “uglier sides” of his characters, believing that complexity is what makes them relatable to an audience.
Early Life
Josh Finan grew up on the Wirral Peninsula in Merseyside, England, just outside Liverpool, in a family with no direct connections to the entertainment industry. He attended Wirral Grammar School for Boys in Bebington, where his passion for performing began to take shape during local drama classes held above a restaurant on Friday evenings. These informal sessions, led by an older instructor, sparked his interest in acting as a viable career path.
His early experiences were grounded in everyday life, far from the glamour of London stages. Finan has shared how these humble beginnings helped him develop a grounded approach to his craft, emphasizing authenticity in his characters. This foundation in a working-class region like Merseyside influences the raw energy he brings to roles depicting complex, everyday struggles.
Family Background
Finan’s family provided steady support without industry ties, allowing him to pursue acting organically. Raised in a close-knit household, he balanced schoolwork with weekend drama pursuits. This environment fostered resilience, key to navigating competitive auditions later in London.
First Acting Sparks
At around age 14, Finan dove into local theater, performing in school plays and community productions. These early gigs honed basic skills like voice projection and emotional delivery. By his late teens, he sought formal training, marking the shift from hobby to profession.
Education Path
Finan trained at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, a leading UK drama institution known for producing stars like Daniel Day-Lewis. He completed his classical acting course there, immersing in techniques from Shakespeare to contemporary scripts over three intensive years. The school’s rigorous program emphasized physicality, voice, and ensemble work, preparing him for professional stages.
Graduating around 2017, Finan emerged with a strong foundation in both classical and modern theater. Bristol’s collaborative ethos shaped his versatility, seen in later transitions to screen. Peers from this era often credit the school’s demanding schedule for building stamina.
School Highlights
Wirral Grammar offered initial theater opportunities, including debates and assemblies where Finan shone publicly. Transitioning to Bristol exposed him to national talents. Key modules included mask work, movement, and dialect training, vital for roles like Northern Irish accents.
Stage Career Start
Finan’s professional theater debut came with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in productions like Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth. These Stratford-upon-Avon runs in 2018-2019 showcased his ability to handle Shakespeare’s demanding language at age 22. He played supporting roles that demanded precision amid large ensembles.
Later, he starred as Cain in Shook by Samuel Bailey at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in 2021, earning critical praise for raw intensity. This transfer to London’s West End solidified his stage reputation. Hampstead Theatre’s Peggy for You further highlighted his comedic timing.
RSC Breakthrough
Joining RSC felt like a dream for the young actor from Merseyside. Romeo and Juliet rehearsals lasted months, focusing on fight choreography. Macbeth required dark emotional depth, pushing Finan to explore vulnerability.
Notable Filmography and Projects
| Year | Title | Role | Platform/Format |
| 2019 | Hellboy | Novice | Feature Film |
| 2022-24 | The Responder | Marco | BBC One |
| 2024 | The Gentlemen | Jethro | Netflix |
| 2024 | Baby Reindeer | Diggsy | Netflix |
| 2024 | Say Nothing | Gerry Adams | Disney+ / FX |
| 2026 | Waiting for the Out | Dan | BBC One |
| 2026 | How to Get to Heaven from Belfast | Jason/Andrew | Netflix |
Practical Information and Planning
For fans and industry professionals looking to follow Josh Finan’s career, his projects are primarily hosted on major streaming platforms.
- Streaming Services: Most of his work is available on BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and Disney+.
- Live Performances: Finan occasionally returns to the London stage; checking listings for The Bridge Theatre or Hampstead Theatre is recommended for future appearances.
- Representation: He is represented by Insight Management & Production in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Josh Finan play in The Responder?
Josh Finan played Marco, a young, streetwise drug informant and the son of a local criminal. His performance earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Is Josh Finan from Liverpool?
Finan is from the Wirral, which is a peninsula located across the River Mersey from Liverpool. While he shares the regional “Scouse” accent often associated with the area, he identifies specifically with his Wirral roots.
Where did Josh Finan train as an actor?
He trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating in 2016. Before this, he studied English Literature at the University of Sheffield.
Does Josh Finan play Gerry Adams in Say Nothing?
Yes, Josh Finan portrays the younger version of Gerry Adams in the 2024 series Say Nothing, covering the period of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
What is Josh Finan’s newest show in 2026?
As of early 2026, he stars in the lead role of Dan in the BBC drama Waiting for the Out and appears in the Netflix series How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.
Has Josh Finan won a BAFTA?
He was nominated for a BAFTA Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2023 for The Responder, though he did not win the category that year.
Was Josh Finan in Black Mirror?
Yes, he appeared in the 2025 Black Mirror episode titled “Plaything,” playing a character named Lump.
What movie roles has Josh Finan had?
His film credits include minor roles in Hellboy (2019) and The Current War (2017), as well as the independent thriller Surge (2020).
How old is Josh Finan?
While birth years can vary in reports, he is generally cited as being in his late 20s to early 30s as of 2026, having graduated drama school in 2016.
Can Josh Finan speak with different accents?
Yes, though he is known for his natural Merseyside accent, he has successfully used a Northern Irish accent for Say Nothing and various others for his stage work.
What is the series Waiting for the Out about?
It is a prison-set drama based on the memoir of Andy West, focusing on a teacher (played by Finan) who works with inmates and explores his own family’s history with incarceration.
Final Thoughts
Josh Finan’s journey from a drama class on the Wirral to the leading man of British television is a testament to his transformative range and intellectual approach to acting. By 2026, he has transitioned from a sought-after supporting actor in global hits like The Gentlemen and Baby Reindeer to a formidable lead in prestige dramas such as Waiting for the Out.
His ability to humanize “scary” or “uglier” characters—whether they are informants, revolutionaries, or philosophy teachers—has made him a favorite of elite showrunners like Dennis Kelly and Lisa McGee. As he continues to balance his stage roots with high-profile screen projects, Josh Finan stands as one of the most versatile and intellectually curious performers of his generation, ensuring his presence in the cultural zeitgeist for years to come.
To Read More: Manchester Independent