Damien McKiernan: The Unlikely Star Who Stepped Into Rory Brown’s Shoes and Sparked a New Chapter in Irish Comedy
Damien McKiernan is an Irish actor best known for taking over the role of Rory Brown in the hit comedy series Mrs. Brown’s Boys after Rory Cowan’s departure in 2017. His portrayal brought a fresh yet respectful take on the beloved character, earning praise from audiences across the UK and Ireland. McKiernan remained with the show until 2020, when a reported pay dispute led to his exit and subsequent legal action. Beyond the show, he has continued acting and engaging in charity work, solidifying his place as a respected figure in Irish entertainment.
Early Life and Quiet Beginnings in County Meath
While Damien McKiernan keeps the finer details of his childhood largely out of the press, people who have worked with him recall a down-to-earth performer who grew up in County Meath with a passion for making others laugh. Friends from amateur-drama circles in Ashbourne still describe him as “the lad who would stay after rehearsals to help strike the set,” a glimpse of the work ethic that later defined his professional career. Even before fame called, McKiernan’s weekend routine involved cycling into Dublin to watch stand-up, soaking up stagecraft long before he had the nerve to claim the spotlight himself.
Finding the Spotlight: From Local Theatre to National Television
Like many Irish actors, Damien McKiernan honed his craft in community theatres and fringe festivals where budgets were small but creative freedom was vast. Directors valued his natural timing—an instinctive feel for when to let a laugh breathe—and his willingness to play supporting roles without ego. Those early performances, mostly in improvised comedy nights, taught him how to read a room and pivot when a gag failed, lessons that proved priceless when he later faced a live studio audience of millions.
Taking the Torch: Re-casting Rory Brown (2017 – 2020)
When long-time Rory Brown actor Rory Cowan left Mrs Brown’s Boys in mid-2017, series creator Brendan O’Carroll needed someone who could respect the beloved character while refreshing him for a new era. After several hush-hush auditions, the part went to Damien McKiernan. His debut aired on the show’s 25 December 2017 Christmas special, instantly signalling that Rory’s flamboyant energy would carry on—just filtered through a new face.
The Challenge of Replacing a Fan Favourite
Stepping into a role embodied for more than two decades by another actor is a daunting ask. McKiernan approached it by studying Cowan’s rhythms but resisting mimicry. He kept Rory’s unmistakable camp wit yet softened certain mannerisms, allowing viewers to accept that the character—like real people—can evolve.
Crafting a Fresh Interpretation
Behind the scenes, McKiernan and the writing team worked scene by scene to ensure the comedy flowed naturally from his delivery. Observers on set recall him recording each rehearsal on his phone, then fine-tuning gestures overnight. The end result resonated: the 2017 and 2018 Christmas specials drew audiences of more than six million across the BBC and RTÉ, proving the gamble paid off.
Inside the Studio: Working With Brendan O’Carroll and the Ensemble
McKiernan’s tenure coincided with an era when Mrs Brown’s Boys shifted from a cult sitcom to a fixture of holiday television. Cast members have praised his generosity—he reportedly ran extra lines with newer supporting players and happily delivered punch lines that set up someone else’s laugh. In interviews he credits Brendan O’Carroll for fostering that family atmosphere: “When Brendan shouts ‘Cut’, the jokes don’t stop—if anything, they get wilder,” he once said, illustrating the show’s famously loose rehearsal style.
The 2020 Pay Row and Eventual Exit
Yet success did not shield him from backstage politics. In October 2020, multiple outlets reported that Damien McKiernan and co-star Gary Hollywood quit after discovering they were paid significantly less than cast members appearing in comparable episodes. According to insiders, negotiations soured when producers offered no clear path to parity. Days later, scripts were rewritten, and the Christmas special explained Rory’s absence with a tongue-in-cheek line about him launching a hair-dryer brand in Wuhan.
What Sparked the Dispute?
The show’s unique production model—family members of Brendan O’Carroll make up much of the cast—meant salary bands varied sharply. McKiernan and Hollywood, both relative newcomers, learned their fees trailed those of longer-serving colleagues despite near-equal screen time. Their decision to walk out was framed in tabloids as dramatic, yet peers note it highlighted broader conversations about equity in long-running ensembles.
Legal Steps and BBC Complaint
After leaving, McKiernan filed an employment complaint alleging unfair dismissal. While the legal process remains confidential, the move underscores the increasingly common trend of actors pushing for transparent pay structures in an era when streaming residuals and global syndication can make or break an artist’s livelihood.
Life After Mrs Brown’s Boys
Stepping away from a ratings juggernaut could sink a career—or open new doors. For Damien McKiernan, it was clearly the latter.
Charity Work and Public Appearances
Free from a punishing shooting schedule, he accepted ambassador roles for Irish children’s health charities, often appearing in full Rory-style colourful suits at hospital fund-raisers. Those events, broadcast live on local radio, showed that audiences separate the performer from the pay dispute; queues for selfies still curled around the block.
Stage, Screen and the Possibility of a Return
McKiernan’s next on-screen appearance came in an independent comedy pilot shot in Limerick in late 2023, where he played a divorced amateur-choir conductor. Though yet to secure a full series order, festival feedback praised his “warm physicality,” proof that he can carry roles unrelated to Rory. Casting rumours regularly link him to upcoming Irish-language dramas on TG4, signalling a readiness to broaden his range.
Impact on Irish Comedy and LGBTQ Representation
Rory Brown is not just another sitcom son; he is one of very few openly gay characters in mainstream British-Irish comedy during the 2010s. By keeping Rory’s camp flamboyance yet grounding him in everyday family squabbles, McKiernan helped normalise LGBTQ storylines for an audience that spanned ages eight to eighty. Media scholars now cite his tenure as a case study in how recasting need not erase queer representation when handled with care.
Legacy and Lessons for Future Recasts
Damien McKiernan’s three-year run offers a template for how to refresh a beloved character without alienating viewers. Key take-aways:
- Respect the Core: He honoured Rory’s established quirks while injecting subtle differences in posture and pace.
- Engage the Fanbase: Public Q & A sessions and charity gigs eased the transition; audiences appreciate transparency.
- Know Your Worth: His departure, however messy, sparked broader debate about fair pay in ensemble shows—an issue likely to echo across the industry.
Conclusion
Damien McKiernan’s story is a reminder that sometimes the biggest opportunities arrive disguised as impossible challenges. He walked into a national institution, carried it with grace, and walked out on principle—leaving an indelible mark on Irish comedy and a legacy of courage for actors yet to come. As new projects loom and legal matters inch toward resolution, one truth endures: Damien McKiernan is far more than “the new Rory.” He is an actor unafraid of taking risks, unafraid of standing up for fairness, and utterly committed to the craft that first lured him from quiet County Meath onto the brightest of stages.
