1. Overview
'Sean Delaney' (born February 6) is a British actor of Irish descent, recognized for his work across theatre, television, and film. He gained significant recognition for his role as Kenny Stowton, an ex-hacker, in the critically acclaimed BBC black comedy-spy thriller television series Killing Eve. His career also includes notable stage performances in Jez Butterworth's The Ferryman in both London's West End and on Broadway, as well as appearances in films such as Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Seacole.
2. Early life
Sean Delaney's early life was rooted in London, where he was born and grew up in an Irish family. His educational journey led him to formal training in acting.
2.1. Birth and family background
Delaney was born in London, England. He is of Irish descent; his mother was born and raised in Ireland, and his father moved from Ireland with his parents when he was young. His paternal grandfather emigrated from Ireland to London, where he worked as a mechanic and was also a singer on the Irish Dance-Hall Circuit.
2.2. Education
After completing his secondary education, Delaney pursued professional acting training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). He successfully graduated from RADA in 2015. During his first year at the academy, Fiona Shaw, who would later co-star with him in Killing Eve, was a guest lecturer. Following his graduation, while actively pursuing his professional acting career, Delaney took on part-time jobs, including working as an assistant at a real estate company.
3. Career
Sean Delaney's career spans across various mediums, beginning with his stage debut and progressing into significant roles in television and film.
3.1. Early career and stage debut
Delaney made his professional stage debut in 2016, appearing in Beth Steel's drama Labyrinth. The play was produced at the Hampstead Theatre in London. His performance earned him a place on the Evening Standard's Theatre Emerging Talent Award list, recognizing his promising start in the industry.
3.2. Television career
Delaney made his onscreen debut in 2016 with a guest appearance in an episode of the long-running British television series Midsomer Murders (specifically, the sixth episode of its 18th series).
In 2018, he was cast in what became one of his most prominent roles: Kenny Stowton in the BBC America series Killing Eve. In the show, Kenny is an ex-hacker who is recruited by MI6. His character, described as "quirky" and a "fan-favorite," was initially conceived as a temporary role but evolved into a "re-occurring and quite integral" part of the hit series, appearing from the first to the third season. Suzanne Heathcote, one of the head writers for Killing Eve, praised Delaney's performance in the series, calling his work "brilliant."
3.3. Theatre career
In 2018, Delaney took on the role of Michael Carney in Jez Butterworth's acclaimed play The Ferryman. This production, directed by Sam Mendes, was staged at the Gielgud Theatre in London's West End. Following its successful run in London, Delaney was invited to join the play's transfer to the Stateside production. He subsequently performed in The Ferryman's Broadway run, which began in February 2019 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in New York City.
3.4. Film career
Delaney has also appeared in several film productions. In 2021, he featured in the superhero film Venom: Let There Be Carnage. The same year, he began working on the Charlie Stratton-directed film Seacole. In Seacole, Delaney starred alongside notable actors such as Sam Worthington, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Rupert Graves.
4. Personal life
Beyond his professional acting career, Sean Delaney has engaged with the public through various platforms and maintains personal interests, including a passion for association football.
4.1. Interests and public engagement
Sean Delaney is a dedicated supporter of the football club Fulham F.C.. This support is a family tradition, as both his father and grandfather were also fans of the club. In 2020, Delaney participated in an "Ask me anything" (AMA) session on Reddit, an online open interview series, allowing fans to engage directly with him. He stands at 73 in (185.4 cm) tall.