Irish actor Ciarán Hinds represents a generation of actors with unwavering dedication to their careers, whether in theater, movies, or TV shows. Ciarán Hinds is renowned for his commanding presence and remarkable versatility. Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on February 9, 1953, Hinds enrolled to study Law at Queen’s University Belfast.
However, after being persuaded to choose an acting career, he enrolled and graduated from the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1975. Since then, Hinds has spent over four decades playing characters in over 100 productions across film and television. This has long earned him widespread acclaim and admiration from audiences and colleagues. In honor of his contribution to the industry, here are the best Ciarán Hinds movies and TV shows of his career.
Persuasion
The Roger Michell-directed 1995 period drama Persuasion is one of Ciarán Hinds’ earliest movie credits. Adapted from Jane Austen‘s 1817 novel, the movie is often regarded by critics and fans of the novel as a better adaptation than the Dakota Johnson-led 2022 Netflix movie. The then 42-year-old Ciarán Hinds breathed life into Austen’s Captain Frederick Wentworth character. He co-starred with Amanda Root, who portrayed Anne Elliot. Hinds was praised for his convincing performance as the naval captain, who became a self-made man.
The Mayor of Casterbridge
The Mayor of Casterbridge is a British television movie adapted from Thomas Hardy’s 1886 novel. Ciarán Hinds led the cast, portraying Michael Henchard. Following the original novel’s story, in a drunken state, Michael Henchard auctions off his wife and infant child to a seaman passing through the town. Feeling sober and remorseful the next day, he unsuccessfully tries to find the seaman. He makes a vow to abstain from alcohol for 21 years. The movie’s plot follows Michael Henchard’s adult life as a wealthy hay and grain merchant and Mayor of Casterbridge. However, his past soon catches up with him when his daughter and former wife return.
Munich
Ciarán Hinds was one of the main cast members of Steven Spielberg’s 2005 epic historical drama Munich. The movie centered around the assassination of 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich by the Palestinian militant group Black September. In retaliation, the Israeli government, seeking plausible deniability, created a five-man group led by a resigned Mossad agent of German-Jewish descent, Avner Kaufman (Eric Bana).
Ciarán Hinds was cast as Carl, one of the group members, with a specialty as a former Israeli soldier and “cleaner” Carl. Although an independent Dutch contract killer later kills his character, Hinds delivers a dreadful performance as a killer agent. Although considered one of Steven Spielberg’s lowest-grossing films by US Box Office earnings, Munich was still a commercial success, grossing $131 million on a $70 million budget.
There Will Be Blood
Ciarán Hinds might not have had a lead role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2007 epic period drama There Will Be Blood, but he delivered a memorable performance. Hinds played wealthy rival Fletcher Hamilton in what is considered one of the best movies of the 2000s. Hinds starred alongside heavyweights, including Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano. There Will Be Blood received eight nominations at the 80th Academy Awards. It also grossed $76.2 million at the Box Office from a $25 million production budget.
Rome
The HBO historical drama series Rome was widely successful during its 2-seasons run. Ciarán Hinds joined the series in season 1 as a main cast, portraying the iconic Gaius Julius Caesar. Hinds’ performance received special praise from critics and audiences. He appeared in season 1 and the first episode of season 2. For television audiences, Rome is still one of Ciarán Hinds’ best career roles. Ciarán Hinds won Best Actor in a Lead Role on Television for his performance at the Irish Film and Television Awards.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 was the eighth and final installment in the Harry Potter film series. Although it was the first time Ciarán Hinds joined the franchise, he played an instrumental role in its conclusion. Hinds was cast as Aberforth Dumbledore, Albus Dumbledore’s brother and the Hog’s Head Inn bartender. Aberforth Dumbledore is among the strongest First Order of the Phoenix members. When Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) apparate into Hogsmeade, Aberforth reveals a secret passageway that helps get them into Hogwarts. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 succeeded as a film series conclusion, where several others failed. It was critically acclaimed and a Box Office success.
Frozen Movies
Besides his work as an actor, Ciarán Hinds has several voice acting roles to his credit. One such role is voicing Grand Pabbie in the Frozen animated films. Grand Pabbie is the King of the Trolls that rule the Valley of the Living Rock. The character was introduced in the first installment in 2011, with Ciarán Hinds reprising the voice role in its 2016 sequel, Frozen II. Both movies were critical and commercial successes, with Frozen (2013) being the highest-grossing film of 2013, with earnings of $1.280 billion. Frozen II outgrossed its predecessor, with Box Office earnings of $1.453 billion, to become the third-highest-grossing film of 2019.
Justice League Movies
Ciarán Hinds played the supervillain Steppenwolf in Justice League movies. Although the villain looked nothing like Hinds, the actor provided the voice and motion capture for the character. Following the underwhelming Box Office performance of the 2017 Justice League movie,2021 Zack Snyder’s Justice League was released on HBO Max. Zack Snyder’s Justice League quickly became one of the top streamed movies across several platforms worldwide, in 2021.
The Terror
Ciarán Hinds was part of the ensemble cast of AMC’s supernatural horror drama anthology series The Terror. Hinds portrayed British Royal Navy officer and Arctic explorer Captain Sir John Franklin. Captain Franklin was the Commanding Officer of HMS Erebus and expedition leader. Joining in season 1, the series followed the ill-fated exploration of the Northwest Passage by the Royal Navy’s polar explorer ships HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. With the ships trapped and frozen in ice, the crew must do all it takes to survive harsh weather conditions and a strange creature stalking them.
Game Of Thrones
With an undeniable commanding on-screen presence, Ciarán Hinds didn’t have a long screen time in Game of Thrones but left a memorable performance. Interestingly, he only appeared in 5 episodes of the HBO fantasy drama series. Ciarán Hinds played for Night’s Watch member Mance Rayder. Dubbed the “King beyond the Wall,” Mance Rayder united the wildlings under his command and led them to attack the Wall. Hinds appeared in Game of Thrones from 2013 to 2015.
Belfast
Kenneth Branagh’s 2021 British coming-of-age drama Belfast has been Ciarán Hinds’ most nominated performance of his career. Hinds played the grandfather in the movie, referred to as Pop. The movie centers on a family who, despite their undeniable love for their Northern Ireland city, Belfast, must leave to save their lives. Belfast is set during the onset of The Troubles and the August 1969 riots. For his performance, Ciarán Hinds received his first nomination at the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and British Academy Film Awards. If you enjoyed reading about Ciarán Hinds’ best performances, check out these top 10 Dave Bautista movie performances.
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