Paul Brannigan

Paul Brannigan (born 14 September 1986) is a Scottish actor best known for his roles as Gareth O'Connor in Scottish soap opera River City and as Robbie in the film The Angels' Share (2012). Brannigan also appeared in the 2013 movie Under the Skin.

Brannigan was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He was brought up in the rough working-class East End Barrowfield area of Glasgow, near Celtic Park. Both of his parents were long-term drug addicts and much of his youth was spent amidst gang violence and petty crime. Brannigan has described it as like "a scene from Trainspotting". When he was ten years old, he attempted to slit his wrists. Brannigan says that, before becoming an actor, he was in serious debt and had nobody to turn to. He was a gang member in Glasgow and served time in a young offenders institute.

Brannigan began his film career as Robbie in the 2012 Ken Loach dark comedy film, The Angels' Share, which is set largely in Glasgow and the Scottish Highlands. He was nominated for a BAFTA Scotland award for Best Actor for this role. Brannigan was originally cast in a one-off appearance in the BBC Scotland soap opera River City, but in spring 2013 returned for a recurring role as Gareth O'Connor. He left the programme in September 2013.

Brannigan had parts in the movies Under the Skin and Sunshine on Leith, and in 2014 appeared as Scotty in the fifth series of Irish crime drama Love/Hate and as Michael in the UK thriller Beyond.

Brannigan lives with his fiancée, Sheree Coutts, and their son Leo.

At the SNP 2012 Party Conference, Brannigan spoke of his belief that Scotland should break away from the United Kingdom in 2014 and become an independent country once more.

Film

Television