Big part for Nenagh actor Daryl

Daryl McCormack, the internationally known actor who grew up in Nenagh, has just landed what is one of the biggest parts in his screen career to date. McCormack has been chosen to play the title role in Good Luck To You, Leo Grande.

The Peaky Blinders star will feature alongside Oscar winner Dame Emma Thompson in the film, which will be directed by Sophie Hyde.

The comedy sees McCormack’s character Leo Grande, a sex worker in his 20s, who is hired by retired widow Nancy Stokes, played by Dame Emma, as she seeks the adventure and human connection she was deprived of in her marriage.

McCormack said: “Working alongside Emma and Sophie in such an intimate way is something I couldn’t have imagined.

“To be their Leo is something I’m massively excited for.”

Filming is scheduled to begin at the end of March.

Hyde said: “I’m so delighted to welcome Daryl to the project as Leo Grande and am relishing the energy, thoughtfulness and talent he brings.

“The pairing of Emma and Daryl feels fresh and exciting and I can’t wait to see them together on screen.”

In addition to gang drama Peaky Blinders, McCormack has also starred in BBC One’s A Very English Scandal and Amazon’s Wheel Of Time.

He also played a leading role in the Irish comedy-thriller Pixie alongside Olivia Cooke, Alec Baldwin, Pat Shortt and Dylan Moran.

In an interview with this newspaper last December, McCormack said moving from Dublin to London over three years ago was a game changer in securing regular work as an actor.

Growing up in Nenagh McCormack's talents as a budding actor were nurtured through stage apperances with the local Choral Society and in CBS school plays.

Nenagh people generally will be thrilled at his latest success, particularly his mother Theresa, grandmother Maura O' Gorman and uncles Alec and Gary.