Ciarán Hinds


Ciarán Hinds is an Irish actor. A versatile character actor, he has appeared in feature films such as The Sum of All Fears, Road to Perdition, Munich, There Will Be Blood, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Frozen, Silence, Red Sparrow, Justice League, First Man, and Frozen II.
His television roles include Gaius Julius Caesar in the series Rome, DCI James Langton in Above Suspicion, and Mance Rayder in Game of Thrones. As a stage actor Hinds has enjoyed spells with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre in London, and six seasons with Glasgow Citizens' Theatre, and he has continued to work on stage throughout his career. In 2020, he was listed at number 31 on The Irish Times list of Ireland's greatest film actors.

Early life

Hinds was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Brought up as a Catholic in North Belfast, he was one of five children and the only son of his doctor father and schoolteacher and amateur actress mother.
He was an Irish dancer in his youth and was educated at Holy Family Primary School and St Malachy's College. After leaving St Malachy's, he enrolled as a law student at Queen's University, Belfast, but was soon persuaded to pursue acting and abandoned his studies at Queen's to enroll at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, finishing in 1975.

Career

Hinds began his professional acting career at the Glasgow Citizens' Theatre in a production of Cinderella. He remained a frequent performer at the Citizens' Theatre during the late 1970s and through the mid-1980s. During this same period, Hinds also performed on stage in Ireland with the Abbey Theatre, the Field Day Theatre Company, the Druid Theatre, the Lyric Players' Theatre and at the Project Arts Centre. In 1987, he was cast by Peter Brook in The Mahabharata, a six-hour theatre piece that toured the world, and he also featured in its 1989 film version. Hinds almost missed the casting call in Paris due to difficulties renewing his Irish passport. In the early 1990s, he was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
He appeared in the title role of the RSC's production of Richard III in 1993, directed by Sam Mendes, who turned to Hinds as a last minute replacement for an injured Simon Russell Beale. Hinds gained his most popular recognition as a stage actor for his performance as Larry in the London and Broadway productions of Patrick Marber's Tony Award-nominated play Closer. In 1999, Hinds was awarded both the Theatre World Award for Best Debut in New York and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Special Achievement for his work in Closer. He was on stage in 2001 in The Yalta Game by Brian Friel at Dublin's Gate Theatre. He appeared on Broadway in The Seafarer by Conor McPherson, which ran at the Booth Theatre from December 2007 through March 2008. In February 2009 he took the leading role of General Sergei Kotov in Burnt by the Sun by Peter Flannery at London's National Theatre. Hinds returned to the stage later in 2009 with a role in Conor McPherson's play The Birds, which opened at Dublin's Gate Theatre in September 2009.
Hinds made his feature film debut in John Boorman's Excalibur in 1981. He played Captain Frederick Wentworth in Jane Austen's Persuasion in 1995, Jonathan Reiss in and John Traynor in Veronica Guerin, both in 2003, and Firmin in the film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera in 2004. Hinds also played Carl, a professional assisting a group of assassins, in Steven Spielberg's political thriller, Munich in 2005. In 2006, he appeared in Michael Mann's film adaptation of the 80's television show, Miami Vice, and as Herod the Great in The Nativity Story. In the 2006 film Amazing Grace, Hinds portrayed Sir Banastre Tarleton, one of the chief opponents of abolition of the slave trade in Parliament. He starred in Margot at the Wedding, alongside Nicole Kidman, Jack Black and Jennifer Jason Leigh, in a comedy-drama about family secrets and relationships. He also appeared in 2007's There Will Be Blood, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
On television, Hinds portrayed Gaius Julius Caesar in the first season of BBC/HBO's series, Rome in 2006. He has also been featured in a number of made-for-television films, including the role of Michael Henchard in Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge in 2004, for which he received the Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actor in a Dramatic Series. Additional television performances include Edward Parker-Jones in the crime drama series Prime Suspect 3, Abel Mason in Dame Catherine Cookson's The Man Who Cried, Jim Browner in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes episode "The Cardboard Box", Fyodor Glazunov in the science fiction miniseries Cold Lazarus, Edward Rochester in Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, the Knight Templar Brian de Bois-Guilbert in Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe and a portrayal of the French existentialist Albert Camus in Broken Morning.
Hinds was featured in two notable television docudramas: Granada Television's docudrama Who Bombed Birmingham? in which Hinds portrayed Richard McIlkenny, a Belfastman falsely imprisoned for an IRA bombing; and HBO's docudrama Hostages, where he portrayed Irish writer and former hostage Brian Keenan. Hinds starred opposite Kelly Reilly in Above Suspicion, a TV adaptation of Lynda La Plante's detective story, which was broadcast in the United Kingdom in January 2009; he returned for the sequels The Red Dahlia, Deadly Intent and Silent Scream. Hinds has performed in audiobook and radio productions as well. He performed as Valmont in the BBC Radio production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and also narrated the Penguin Audiobook Ivanhoe. He also performed in Antony and Cleopatra and The Winter's Tale as part of The Complete Arkangel Shakespeare, an audio production of Shakespeare's plays which won the 2004 Audie Award for Best Audio Drama. He read the short story "A Painful Case" for the Caedmon Audio version of James Joyce's Dubliners.
Hinds played the role of Albus Dumbledore's brother Aberforth in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, the final film in the Harry Potter series. Also in 2011, he appeared as David Peretz in the 1997 sections of The Debt alongside Helen Mirren and Tom Wilkinson. Hinds played Roy Bland in the 2011 adaptation of the John le Carré's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
In September 2011, Hinds returned to the Abbey Theatre in Dublin to star as Captain Jack Boyle in a revival of Seán O'Casey's Juno and the Paycock, alongside Sinéad Cusack as Juno. The production transferred to the National Theatre of Great Britain in November 2011 for a three-month run. He played "Jim" in the film The Shore, written and directed by Terry George. The Shore won the Best Short Film, Live Action category at the 84th Annual Academy Awards in 2012.
In 2013, he was cast as the wildling leader Mance Rayder in Season 3 of the HBO television series Game of Thrones. He reprised this role in Season 4, and reprised it once more in Season 5. On Broadway at The Richard Rodgers Theater in New York, he was Big Daddy to Scarlett Johansson in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, which began previews on 18 December 2012 and opened on 17 January 2013.
In the summer of 2013, he performed at the Donmar Warehouse in London in the premiere production of The Night Alive, a play by Conor McPherson, which transferred in November 2013, with Hinds in the lead role, to the Atlantic Theater Company in New York.
In 2015, he was in Hamlet alongside Benedict Cumberbatch at the London Barbican, playing King Claudius.
In 2016, he appeared as Deputy Governor Danforth in the Broadway production of Arthur Miller's play The Crucible alongside Saoirse Ronan and Ben Whishaw.
In 2018 he shot the film "The Thin Man" which has since been retitled "The Man In The Hat" in France directed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck.
Hinds played giant-sized villain Steppenwolf in Zack Snyder's 2017 superhero film Justice League. Disappointed with the reshoots and changes made by Joss Whedon, Hinds was vocal about his hopes for the release of Snyder's cut, calling it superior to the final theatrical cut. In 2020 Warner Bros. announced their plans to release Zack Snyder's Justice League on the WarnerMedia Entertainment streaming service HBO Max sometime in 2021. The film will restore many scenes including those of Hinds which were not featured in Whedon's version.

Personal life

Hinds lives in Paris with Vietnamese-born actress and designer, Hélène Patarot. They met in 1987 while in the cast of Peter Brook's production of The Mahabharata and have a daughter, Aoife Hinds, born in 1991, who is also an actress, and has appeared in Derry Girls and Normal People.
Hinds is a friend of Liam Neeson and served as a pallbearer at the funeral of Neeson's wife, actress Natasha Richardson, in upstate New York in 2009.

Filmography

Film

Television

Theatre

YearTitleRolePlaywrightDirectorTheatreNotes
1975The SeagullKonstantin Anton ChekhovPeter WatsonRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art
1975Arden of FavershamBlack WillAnonymousGeoff BullenRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art
1975HampProsecutive officerJohn WilsonEuan SmithRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art
1975Objections to Sex and ViolenceArrogant pseudo-intellectualCaryl ChurchillCaryl ChurchillRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art
1976When Thou Art KingJohn BartonJohn BartonRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art
1976The Night of the IguanaNonnoTennessee WilliamsRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art
1976–77CinderellaAlbert the Horse, CourtierSid Colin, David WoodGiles HavergalGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1976–77The Country WifeMrs. Dainty FidgetWilliam WycherleyPhilip ProwseGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1976–77The Importance of Being EarnestLaneOscar WildeGiles HavergalGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1976–77MacbethMalcolm, Third MurdererWilliam ShakespeareGiles HavergalGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1976–77ChinchillaTancrediRobert David MacDonaldPhilip ProwseGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1976–77FigaroA policeman, a lawyerPierre de BeaumarchaisRobert David MacDonaldGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1977–78Semi-MondeFreddy PalmerNoël CowardPhilip ProwseGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1977–78VautrinJosephHonoré de BalzacRobert David MacDonaldGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1977–78LootMcLeavyJoe OrtonGiles HavergalGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1977–78Mother GooseVillagerMyles RudgeGiles HavergalGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1977–78No Orchids for Miss BlandishJohnny FriskRobert David MacDonald, James Hadley ChaseRobert David MacDonaldGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1977–78Painter's Palace of PleasureGiovanniJohn Ford, John WebsterPhilip ProwseGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1977–78EquusPeter ShafferLyric Theatre, Belfast
1978–79The Threepenny OperaJ. J. PeachumBertolt Brecht, Kurt WeillPhilip ProwseGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1978–79The SeagullDr. DornAnton ChekhovPhilip ProwseGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1978–79Dick WhittingtonThe Emperor of MoroccoMyles RudgeGiles HavergalGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1978–79Country LifeGuglielmoCarlo GoldoniRobert David MacDonaldGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1978–79Whose Life Is it Anyway?Philip Hill Brian ClarkTony DinnerLyric Theatre, Belfast
1978–79Once a CatholicDerek Mary O'MalleyMichael PoynorLyric Theatre, Belfast
1979The Death of Humpty DumptyDoctorJ. Graham ReidPatrick MasonAbbey/Peacock Theatres, Dublin
1979–80The Ha'penny PlaceHare Krishna/YehudiJim SheridanPeter SheridanProject Arts Centre, Dublin
1979–80The Liberty SuitPeter SheridanJim SheridanProject Arts Centre, Dublin
1980–81The BattlefieldFaustinoCarlo GoldoniRobert David MacDonaldGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1980–81The Caucasian Chalk CircleShauva, Prince GeorgiBertolt BrechtGiles HavergalGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1980–81Don JuanFather JuanRobert David MacDonaldPhilip ProwseGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1980–81Desperado CornerFrankShaun LawtonDi TrevisGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1980–81Madame LouiseBishop of PorchesterVernon SylvaineGiles HavergalGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1981BentGreta/GeorgeMartin ShermanMichael ScottProject Arts Centre, Dublin
1981KriegJetLiam LynchPatrick MasonProject Arts Centre, Dublin
1981The SeagullKonstantin Anton Chekhov, Thomas KilroyPatrick MasonGrand Opera House, Belfast
1982Curse of the Starving ClassSam ShepardProject Arts Centre, Dublin
1982On Baile's StrandCuchulainJames Ellis, W.B. YeatsChristopher Fitz-SimonBelltable Arts Centre, Limerick
1982Waiting for GodotEstragonSamuel BeckettBen BarnesBelltable Arts Centre, Limerick
1982Blood and IceByron/The MonsterLiz LochheadKenny IrelandTraverse Theatre Company, Edinburgh
1982–83The Roman ActorParisPhilip MassingerPhilip ProwseGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1982–83Red Roses for MeBrennan O' the MoorSeán O'CaseyGiles HavergalGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1982–83Torquato TassoAntonio MontecatinoJohann Wolfgang von GoetheRobert David MacDonaldGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1982–83The MotherSavelyBertolt BrechtGiles HavergalGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1982–83The Impresario from SmyrnaMaccarioCarlo GoldoniRobert David MacDonaldGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1982–83The Merchant of VeniceAntonioWilliam ShakespearePhilip ProwseGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1982–83Arms and the ManNicola, man-servantGeorge Bernard ShawGiles HavergalGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1982–83SiroccoTonioNoël CowardPhilip ProwseGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1982–83WebsterWebsterRobert David MacDonaldPhilip ProwseGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1983The Last Days of MankindA Man of GovernmentKarl KrausRobert David MacDonaldGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1983RosenkavalierValzacchiHugo von HofmannsthalPhilip ProwseGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1983Juno and the PaycockCaptain Jack BoyleSeán O'CaseyGiles HavergalGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1983OroonokoLieutenant GovernorThomas SouthernePhilip ProwseGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1983Indian SummerCathal DillonJennifer JohnstonRobert CooperLyric Theatre, Belfast
1984The White DevilLodovicoJohn WebsterPhilip ProwseGreenwich Theatre, London
1984The Way of the WorldFainallWilliam CongreveGiles HavergalGreenwich Theatre, London
1984The SeagullTrigorinAnton ChekhovPhilip ProwseGreenwich Theatre, London
1984The Riot Act Chorus leaderTom PaulinStephen ReaField Day Touring Company, Derry
1984High Time High TechDerek MahonWolk and LongField Day Touring Company, Derry
1985Mary StuartPauletFriedrich von SchillerPhilip ProwseGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1985Blithe SpiritCharles CondomineNoël CowardGiles HavergalGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1985The Plough and the StarsJack ClitheroeSeán O'CaseyGiles HavergalGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1985Arsenic and Old Lace"Uncle" TeddyJoseph KesselringGiles HavergalGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1985FaustMinister of StateJohann Wolfgang von GoetheRobert David MacDonaldGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1985'Tis Pity She's a WhoreGiovanniJohn FordGarry HynesDruid Theatre Company, Galway
1985The Importance of Being EarnestOscar WildeJohn WorthingJohn Ford, Garry HynesDruid Theatre Company, Galway
1986The RepresentativePope Pius XIIRolf HochhuthRobert David MacDonaldGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1986Hidden FiresClavarocheAlfred de MussetRobert David MacDonaldGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1986The OrphanCastalioThomas OtwayPhilip ProwseGreenwich Theatre, London
1986I Do Like to BeDavidShane ConnaughtonJeff TeareThe Irish Company
1986Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the SommeGeorge AndersonFrank McGuinnessMichael AttenboroughHampstead Theatre, London
1987Dialann Ocrais/Diary of a Hunger StrikeO'ConnorPeter SheridanPeter SheridanAbbey/Peacock Theatres, Dublin
1987MahabharataAdapted by Jean-Claude CarrièrePeter BrookAshwattaman/Nakula World Tour
1988The Lady from the SeaThe StrangerHenrik IbsenTom CairnsGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1988Richard IIIRichard IIIWilliam ShakespeareJon PopeGlasgow Citizens Theatre Company
1989Cuchulain CycleCuchulainW.B. YeatsJames W. FlanneryAbbey/Peacock Theatres, Dublin
1990–91The Last Days of Don JuanDon Pedro TenorioTirso de Molina, Nick DearDanny BoyleRoyal Shakespeare Company
1990–91Edward IIRoger MortimerChristopher MarloweGerard MurphyRoyal Shakespeare Company
1990–91Two Shakespearean ActorsDion BoucicaultRichard NelsonRoger MichellRoyal Shakespeare Company
1990–91Troilus and CressidaAchillesWilliam ShakespeareSam MendesRoyal Shakespeare Company
1992AssassinsSamuel ByckStephen Sondheim, John WeidmanSam MendesDonmar Warehouse, London
1993Richard IIIRichard IIIWilliam ShakespeareSam MendesRoyal Shakespeare Company
1993MachinalThe Young ManSophie TreadwellStephen DaldryRoyal National Theatre, London
1995SimpaticoVinnieSam ShepardJames MacdonaldRoyal Court Theatre, London
1997Closer LarryPatrick MarberPatrick MarberRoyal National Theatre, London
1999Closer LarryPatrick MarberPatrick MarberMusic Box Theatre, New York
2001The Yalta GameGurovAnton Chekhov, Brian FrielKarel ReiszGate Theatre, Dublin
2007The SeafarerMr. LockhartConor McPhersonConor McPhersonBooth Theatre, New York
2009The BirdsNatConor McPhersonConor McPhersonGate Theatre, Dublin
2009Burnt by the SunSerguei Petrovitch KotovPeter FlanneryHoward DaviesRoyal National Theatre, London
2011Juno and the PaycockCaptain Jack BoyleSeán O'CaseyHoward DaviesRoyal National Theatre, London
2011Juno and the PaycockCaptain Jack BoyleSeán O'CaseyHoward DaviesAbbey/Peacock Theatres, Dublin
2013The Night AliveTommyConor McPhersonConor McPhersonDonmar Warehouse, London
Atlantic Theater Company, New York
2014Our Few and Evil DaysMichaelMark O'RoweMark O'RoweAbbey/Peacock Theatres, Dublin
2015HamletClaudiusWilliam ShakespeareLynsey TurnerBarbican Centre, London
2016The CrucibleDeputy Governor DanforthArthur MillerIvo van HoveWalter Kerr Theatre, New York
2017Girl from the North CountryNick LaneConor McPhersonConor McPhersonThe Old Vic
The Noel Coward Theatre
2018TranslationsHughBrian FrielIan RicksonRoyal National Theatre, London
2020Uncle VanyaProfessor SerebryakovAnton ChekhovIan RicksonHarold Pinter TheatreOlivier Award-winner Conor McPherson’s new adaptation