Agnes Eustacia Kenig (born 1995/1996), known professionally as Agnes O'Casey, is an English/Irish actress performing across film, television and theatre. On television, she is known for role in the BBC One drama Ridley Road (2021).[2] Her films include The Miracle Club and Lies We Tell (both 2023). She was named a 2024 Screen International Star of Tomorrow.[3]
Agnes O'Casey | |
|---|---|
| Born | Agnes Eustacia Kenig[1] 1995/1996 Finsbury Park, London, England |
| Alma mater | The Lir Academy |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Relatives | Seán O'Casey (great-grandfather) |
Early life
editO'Casey is from Finsbury Park, the eldest of three daughters of hospitality and retail workers.[4] She is of Irish and a quarter Jewish descent; the playwright Seán O'Casey was her great-grandfather.[5] Her paternal grandfather was of Lithuanian-Jewish heritage.[6]
O'Casey has dyslexia and attended a Steiner School. Her family moved to Newton Abbot, Devon when she was 11. She studied art history and English literature at Edinburgh University for a year[1] before being accepted to The Lir Academy in Dublin, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in acting in 2020.[7][8]
Career
editAfter appearing in the music video for "Holy Show" by the Pillow Queens in 2020 and the Druid Theatre Company production of The Seagull in 2021, O'Casey made her television debut in the 1960s-set BBC One drama Ridley Road, starring as the lead character Vivien Epstein. This was followed by a supporting role as Emilie in the Starz adaptation of Dangerous Liaisons the next year.
In 2023, O'Casey made her feature film debut in Thaddeus O'Sullivan's comedy-drama The Miracle Club and Lisa Mulcahy's period drama Lies We Tell with David Wilmot.[9] O'Casey received IFTA nominations for both performances in the supporting actress and lead actress categories respectively. She also has upcoming roles in Longbourn.
In 2024 she made her British stage debut playing the role of Liz Gold in the theatrical adaptation of The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John le Carré and adapted by David Eldridge. O’Casey played opposite Rory Keenan and John Ramm. The production was performed at the Minerva Theatre at Chichester Festival Theatre as part of the 2024 season. It was directed by Jeremy Herrin.
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ridley Road | Vivien Epstein | Main role |
| 2022 | Dangerous Liaisons | Emilie | 3 episodes |
| 2023 | The Miracle Club | Dolly | |
| 2023 | Lies We Tell | Maud | [10] |
| 2024 | Small Things like These | Sarah Furlong | |
| TBA | Longbourn | Sarah | Upcoming |
Music videos
edit- "Holy Show" (2020), Pillow Queens
Stage
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | The Seagull | Lily | Druid Theatre Company |
| 2024 | The Spy Who Came in from The Cold | Liz Gold | Chichester Festival Theatre |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Irish Film & Television Awards | Lead Actress – Film | Lies We Tell | Won | |
| Supporting Actress – Film | The Miracle Club | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ a b Brown, Helen (2 October 2021). "Ridley Road star Agnes O'Casey: 'I didn't think I'd need to practise the Nazi salute...'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ^ Nolan, Paul. "Ridley Road star Agnes O'Casey: "There's so much to do, I couldn't really believe it"". Hotpress. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ Gant, Charles (26 June 2024). "Stars of Tomorrow 2024: Agnes O'Casey (actor)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ Ganatra, Shilpa (7 August 2021). "And now for the stars: O'Casey's great-granddaughter takes to the stage". The Irish Times. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ Power, Ed (4 October 2021). "Agnes O'Casey looks like she is going to be a star". The Irish Times. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ^ Clarke, Donald (7 October 2023). "Agnes O'Casey: 'It's just been so easy to hate women, no matter the period. And that is terrifying'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ "Agnes O'Casey". United Agents. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- ^ "Acting Profiles / Alumni 2020: Agnes O'Casey". The Lir. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- ^ Clarke, Donald (13 October 2023). "Lies We Tell: Agnes O'Casey steals the show in Uncle Silas remake". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ Tabarra, Mona (27 October 2021). "'Uncle Silas' starring Agnes O'Casey kicks off Ireland shoot for Embankment (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 8 November 2021.