Dónal Finn (born 31 August 1995) is an Irish actor. He is known for playing

Mat Cauthon ''The Wheel of Time'' is a series of high fantasy novels by American author Robert Jordan, which began with ''The Eye of the World'' in 1990. Jordan wrote the first 11 novels of the series, and the prequel novel '' New Spring'' (2004), before hi ...

in the

Prime Video Amazon Prime Video, known simply as Prime Video, is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming television service owned by Amazon. The service primarily distributes films and television series produced or co-produced by ...

fantasy series ''

The Wheel of Time ''The Wheel of Time'' is a series of high fantasy novels by the American author Robert Jordan, with American author Brandon Sanderson as co-writer of the final three installments. Originally planned as a trilogy, ''The Wheel of Time'' came to ...

'' and for originating the role of

Orpheus In Greek mythology, Orpheus (; , classical pronunciation: ) was a Thracians, Thracian bard, legendary musician and prophet. He was also a renowned Ancient Greek poetry, poet and, according to legend, travelled with Jason and the Argonauts in se ...

in the West End production of ''

Hadestown ''Hadestown'' is a musical with music, lyrics, and a book by Anaïs Mitchell. It tells a version of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Eurydice, a young girl looking for something to eat, goes to work in a hellish industrial vers ...

''. He is set to star in upcoming

Amazon Prime Amazon Prime (styled as prime) is a paid subscription service of Amazon which is available in many countries and gives users access to additional services otherwise unavailable or available at a premium to other Amazon customers. Services inclu ...

series '' Young Sherlock'' as James Moriarty.

Early life and education

Finn was born and raised in

Dromina Dromina () is a village and townland in County Cork, Ireland. 9 km south-west of Charleville, the village is in the civil parish of Shandrum, close to the village of Newtownshandrum. As of the 2016 census, Dromina had a population of 275 ...

, County Cork, to parents Dónal Sr. and Maureen. He is one of eight children having come from a farming family in rural Ireland. Finn was given a place at the

London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) is a drama school located in Hammersmith, London. Founded in 1861, it is the oldest specialist drama school in the British Isles and a founding member of the Federation of Drama Schools. In ...

with a three-year scholarship through the Overstall Charitable Trust. He graduated with a

Bachelor of Arts A Bachelor of Arts (abbreviated B.A., BA, A.B. or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is the holder of a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the liberal arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts deg ...

in acting from LAMDA in 2018.

Career

After graduating from

LAMDA The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) is a drama school located in Hammersmith, London. Founded in 1861, it is the oldest specialist drama school in the British Isles and a founding member of the Federation of Drama Schools. In ...

, Finn made his first notable appearance in an episode of popular

Netflix Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...

series ''

The Witcher ''The Witcher'' (, ) is a series of 9 fantasy novels and 15 short stories by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The series revolves around the eponymous witcher, Geralt of Rivia. Witchers are monster hunters given superhuman abilities for the ...

'' as a peasant named Nettly in 2019. Finn also had a small role as a Baker named Albert in '' Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore''. In 2022, Finn landed the role of soldier Eoin McGonigal in the first series of the BBC action drama '' SAS: Rogue Heroes''. That same year, he was cast as

in the second season of ''

'', succeeding

Barney Harris Barney Alexander Harris (born 15 July 1996) is an English actor, writer and producer. He is best known for playing Mat Cauthon in season one of the Amazon Prime Video fantasy series ''The Wheel of Time''. Early life and education Harris was born ...

in the role. In November 2023, it was announced that Finn would be originating the role of

in the West End production of ''

'', which later opened in February 2024. Finn left the production on 25 August 2024. In July 2024, it was announced Finn would star as

Professor James Moriarty Professor James Moriarty is a fictional character and criminal mastermind created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to be a formidable enemy for the author's fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. He was created primarily as a device by which Doyle could ...

alongside

Hero Fiennes Tiffin Hero Beauregard Faulkner Fiennes Tiffin (; born 6 November 1997) is an English actor and film producer. He is most known for his starring roles in the ''After'' film series (2019–2023) and for his portrayal of a young Tom Riddle in the film ...

Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes () is a Detective fiction, fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a "Private investigator, consulting detective" in his stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with obser ...

in the upcoming

series '' Young Sherlock''.

Filmography

Film Television Theatre

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Finn, Donal 1995 births 21st-century Irish male actors Actors from County Cork Alumni of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art Living people