Josh Finan is a British actor from the Wirral who has quietly but now very loudly become one of the most striking new faces on British TV. If his name feels familiar to you, it is because his work keeps popping up in some of the biggest shows of the last few years, like the gritty tension of The Responder, the stylish chaos of Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen, the unsettling world of Baby Reindeer, and the politically charged intensity of Say Nothing.
He is the kind of actor who disappears into a role so completely that you hardly recognize him after the credits roll, “Wait… that was Josh Finan again.”
Whether you found him during a BBC binge or a Netflix spiral, one thing is clear: Josh Finan is no longer just a rising name; he is a force that keeps climbing.
A Quick Look at Josh Finan’s Rise
Before diving deeper, here is the simplest snapshot of why his name is everywhere.
Josh Finan got acting training from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He started with steady theatre work and small film roles. His performances felt raw, grounded, and emotionally so honest, which became the reason for his growing reputation.
His breakout came with The Responder, where his role as Marco did not just steal scenes but made him nominated for a BAFTA TV Award. This cracked open the door to a whole new level of roles.
Since then, Finan has kept the momentum going with standout work in The Gentlemen, Baby Reindeer, and the FX/Disney+ drama Say Nothing, taking on the challenge of portraying a young Gerry Adams. And with a fresh turn in Black Mirror: Plaything and a leading role in the BBC’s Waiting for the Out. There is no surprise that people across the industry are calling him one of the most exciting new actors to break out of the UK.
Early Life and Training
Josh Finan grew up on the Wirral in Merseyside, a place with its own blend of grit and sharp humour — a mix you can still feel in his performances today. He went to Wirral Grammar School for Boys before moving on to one of the UK’s most respected drama schools, the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
It is the kind of training ground known for finding serious talent, and Finan used it to his advantage. While many actors leap straight into the screen world, he spent time learning movement, voice, classical technique, and everything else that makes an actor versatile. That background explains why, even in intense TV roles, he brings a kind of stage-bred precision and emotional depth.
First Steps on Screen
Before anyone really knew his name, Josh Finan was putting in the work, taking on smaller roles that taught him the rhythm of a film set and the real craft behind screen acting. He showed up in films like The Current War, Hellboy, and the indie thriller Surge — not headline roles, but the kind of essential early steps that build an actor’s confidence and discipline.
For a young actor, being around experienced performers, seeing how they pace themselves, handle each take, and move through a set, is incredibly valuable. So when the right TV role finally came along, Finan already had the skills and confidence to hold his own.
Breakthrough With The Responder
The real turning point of his acting journey was The Responder, the BBC drama starring Martin Freeman. Finan’s portrayal of Marco was raw, unpredictable, and painfully human. Marco was not even a hero or a villain. Then what? He was a young man caught in a spiral of bad options, bad luck, and bad timing. Finan played him with equal parts bravado and vulnerability, and viewers felt it.
Although critics praised the entire cast, Finan’s performance was repeatedly singled out for its honesty. It led to a BAFTA TV nomination for Best Supporting Actor, a milestone that shifted him from “promising newcomer” to an actor people suddenly had their eye on.
Building His Craft on Stage and Screen
Even as his TV career accelerated, Josh Finan did not lose his connection with theatre. This is still visible in his work. He appeared in productions such as The Southbury Child at London’s Bridge Theatre, Peggy For You at Hampstead Theatre, and Royal Shakespeare Company productions like Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth.
Stage work demands stamina, presence, and the ability to command a room without cutting or retakes. On the other hand, screen work demands micro-expressions and tiny emotional shifts that can be felt through a close-up. The fact that Josh Finan moves comfortably between the two is part of why he is landing such rich, complicated roles.
Streaming Success in The Gentlemen and Baby Reindeer
As streaming platforms exploded, Finan stepped naturally into that world. In Netflix’s The Gentlemen, he played Jethro, a character who fit right into Guy Ritchie’s stylish universe of crime, grime, and unexpected humour. His presence added texture to the series, showing he could switch from gritty realism to heightened, pulpy fun.
He also appeared in the Netflix phenomenon Baby Reindeer as Diggsy, adding another unsettling, emotionally charged performance to his portfolio. Both roles helped push him further into the global spotlight.
Stepping Into History: Say Nothing
One of the boldest and most impressive moves of his career so far is his role as young Gerry Adams in Say Nothing. The drama tackles one of the most sensitive periods in modern Irish history, and portraying a real, still-living political figure is no small feat.
Finan approached the role with a mix of careful research and real empathy. Gerry Adams is not a flat stereotype — he comes across as layered and complex, quiet in his tone but firm in his intent, controlled yet clearly strategic. It is the kind of role that requires real maturity, and Finan rises to it.
Recognition as a Star of Tomorrow
The industry sees what audiences are seeing. Josh Finan was named a Screen International “Star of Tomorrow,” a badge that has predicted the rise of major actors before. Around the same time, he signed with leading management at Range Media Partners — a clear sign that bigger opportunities are already on the horizon.
What is Next for Josh Finan?
Finan continues to take on projects that push him into new territory. His appearance in Black Mirror: Plaything adds another high-profile series to his résumé, and his leading role in the BBC drama Waiting for the Out shows that studios are ready to put major stories on his shoulders.
If his recent work is any sign, he is on track to take on bigger, central roles in major dramas — the kind of parts that can define a career for years to come.
Why Audiences Connect With Him?
Josh Finan’s appeal lies in how deeply real his characters feel. There is always a flicker of uncertainty, anger, sadness, or hope simmering under the surface. He plays people who are messy and real — young men struggling with loyalty, fear, poverty, or moral conflict. Viewers recognise those emotions instantly, even when the stories are dark.
As more people discover him across different platforms, the name Josh Finan is only going to become more familiar. And if the roles he is choosing are any clue, this is just the beginning.