Frank Blake (actor) explained

Frank Blake
Birth Place:Tuamgraney, County Clare
Occupation:Actor
Years Active:2017–
Television:Normal People
Sanditon
Blue Lights

Frank Blake is an Irish stage, television and film actor.

Early life

From Tuamgraney, in County Clare, he was born to Michael and Mary Blake and is the youngest of three children. He was educated at Scariff Community College. He attended the annual amateur drama festival circuit each year from the age of four years-old in his home town, with plays staged in the school hall. He made his stage debut aged 17, in the community musical performance of Jesus Christ Superstar. He spent a year at NUI Galway studying Drama, German and Philosophy but also appeared in eight plays in Dramsoc that year.[1] He moved to Dublin and graduated from The Lir Academy in 2016.[2]

Career

His stage performances include a role with an all-star cast in Druid Theatre Company's Richard III. He played Neoptolemus in a stage version of Hecuba by Rough Magic.[3] He appeared in a stage adaptation of Louise O'Neill novel Asking For It at the Abbey Theatre, which was also performed at venues including the Lincoln Center in New York.[4] He also appeared in Tennessee Williams play The Glass Menagerie at the Gate Theatre, Dublin.[1]

On television, he played Constable Pip Bircher in The Frankenstein Chronicles before playing Alan Sheridan on the Lenny Abrahamson television adaptation of Sally Rooney's Normal People.[5] [6] He had roles in Bridgerton, Game of Thrones and the Tom Holland-led film Cherry. He had a recurring role in the second season of Sanditon, as well as in Netflix series .[7]

In 2024, he appears as Shane Bradley in BBC One police drama Blue Lights.[8]

Personal life

His great aunt was the author Edna O'Brien.[9] He told The Irish Times in 2022 that his family run an equestrian centre.[10]

Filmography

style="background:#FFFFCC;"
Denotes works that have not yet been released
YearTitleRoleNotes
2017The Frankenstein ChroniclesConstable Pip Bircher 3 episodes
2019ResistanceConor2 episodes
2019Game of ThronesSentry1 episode
2020Normal PeopleAlan6 episodes
2021CherrySeasoned Medic
2021BridgertonHarry1 episode
2021InvasionMadden1 episode
2022SanditonCaptain Declan Fraser 6 episodes
2022Birger2 episodes
2023Double BlindMarcus
2024BlackshoreSean 3 episodes
2024-Blue LightsShane Bradley Series 2
TBAThe BorderSean

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ‘The biggest obstacle is probably yourself, really, for a long time’ — Normal People’s Frank Blake on an actor’s life. Independent.ie. 22 April 2024. Liadán. Hynes. 18 September 2022.
  2. Web site: Meet the Lir Graduates in the Cast of Normal People. The Lir. 22 April 2024. 5 May 2020.
  3. Web site: Dublin theatre round-up, Sept-Oct 2019 Part 1. Playsinternational.org. 22 April 2024. Bill. Grantham in Dublin. 1 December 2019.
  4. Web site: Tuamgraney man takes lead role in hit TV drama. Clare Champion. 22 April 2024. May 8, 2020.
  5. Web site: Flora. Carr. 21 April 2020. Radio Times. Meet the cast of Normal People. 22 April 2024.
  6. Web site: Here's where you've seen the cast of Normal People before. Planet Radio. 22 April 2024. Emma. Dodds. 7 July 2020.
  7. Web site: Tuamgraney actor Frank Blake pinpointed as a rising star for 2022. Clare Echo. 22 April 2024. 7 January 2022.
  8. Web site: Blue Lights: New character a young Ken Branagh lookalike, say fans. Belfast Telegraph. 22 April 2024. 20 April 2024. Maureen. Coleman.
  9. Web site: East Clare inspiration for ‘Normal People’ actor Frank Blake. Clarechampion.ie. 22 April 2024. May 16, 2020.
  10. Web site: 50 people to watch in 2022: The best young talent in Ireland. The Irish Times. 22 April 2024. Donald. Clarke. 1 January 2022.