You know that feeling when you're watching a massive blockbuster and a guy walks on screen, and you immediately think, "I know him from somewhere"? That’s the Killian Scott effect. He’s the guy who somehow manages to be the best thing in every project he touches, yet he still hasn't become a household name like his countryman Cillian Murphy.
Speaking of Cillian, let's address the elephant in the room. Killian Scott was actually born Cillian Murphy. Yeah, really. He had to change it to avoid the obvious confusion with the Oppenheimer star. It’s a bit of a metaphor for his career—always just a step away from that massive, global spotlight, yet delivering performances that are often more grounded and intense than the A-listers he shares the frame with.
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The Love/Hate Era: Where It All Started
If you grew up in Ireland, or if you're a connoisseur of gritty crime dramas, you know him as Tommy. Love/Hate wasn't just a show; it was a cultural phenomenon. Scott played Tommy, a guy who started as a relatively normal part of a Dublin gang and ended up, well, let's just say his arc was one of the most tragic and physically demanding of the whole series.
His performance was raw. He didn't just play a gangster; he played a man slowly coming apart at the seams. It’s actually wild to look back at that 2010-2014 run and see how he held his own against heavyweights like Aidan Gillen and Ruth Negga. He has this way of using his eyes to convey about ten different emotions while saying absolutely nothing.
Moving Into the Global Spotlight: Killian Scott Movies and TV Shows
After conquering Irish television, the jump to international projects felt inevitable. But Scott didn't go the "pretty boy" route. He chose weird, interesting, and often incredibly dark projects.
Honestly, Dublin Murders (2019) is probably his masterclass. Playing Detective Rob Reilly, he had to navigate a character with a hidden past that was frankly disturbing. It’s a dense, atmospheric show based on Tana French’s novels. Scott’s ability to switch between a polished English accent and his natural Irish roots (as part of the character's deception) was a subtle flex that most viewers probably didn't even catch.
Then there’s the Marvel of it all.
The MCU and Beyond
In 2023, he popped up in Secret Invasion as Pagon. Now, look, that show had its critics. A lot of people felt it didn't live up to the hype. But Scott as the Skrull second-in-command was genuinely menacing. He brought a level of gravitas to a guy in green makeup that shouldn't have worked as well as it did. It was another case of Scott being the most interesting thing in a project that didn't quite deserve him.
Then came Kaos on Netflix in 2024. If you haven't seen it, it’s basically a modern-day reimagining of Greek mythology with Jeff Goldblum as Zeus. Scott plays Orpheus. But not the Orpheus you're thinking of—he's a rock star. It showed a completely different side of him: charismatic, musical, and romantic.
- Damnation (2017): He played Seth Davenport, a preacher-turned-revolutionary in 1930s Iowa. It’s a forgotten gem of a show that got cancelled way too soon.
- Ripper Street: He joined in the later seasons as Augustus Dove. If you like Victorian-era grit, this is the one.
- C.B. Strike: His recurring role as DI Eric Wardle is another example of him being the "solid guy" in the background who makes everything better.
- '71 (2014): A small but pivotal role in a movie that is essentially one long, breathless chase through the streets of Belfast.
The 2026 Landscape: What's Next?
So, where is he now? As of early 2026, Scott has been keeping his head down, which is classic Killian. He’s famously private—no social media, no red carpet drama.
He recently joined the cast of The Capture for its third season. If you like techno-thrillers about "deepfakes" and surveillance, this is right up your alley. He fits into that world perfectly because he has an "everyman" quality that makes you trust him, even when the plot tells you not to.
There’s also talk of him returning to the stage. He’s always been a theater kid at heart, having studied at the Drama Centre London. Honestly, seeing him in a live setting is probably the only way to truly appreciate the intensity he brings.
Why You Should Care
Most people search for Killian Scott movies and tv shows because they've seen him in one thing and want more. The truth is, his filmography is a roadmap of quality over quantity. He doesn't just take the paycheck.
He’s an actor's actor.
If you’re looking for a starting point, skip the Marvel stuff for a second. Go watch Traders (2015). It’s a low-budget Irish thriller about people trading their entire net worth in a "fight to the death" scenario. It’s insane, it’s dark, and Scott is terrifyingly good in it.
Actionable Next Steps for the Binge-Watcher
- Start with Love/Hate: If you can find it on streaming (check RTÉ Player or BritBox), watch it. It's the foundation of everything he's done.
- Don't skip Dublin Murders: It's only eight episodes. It's a perfect weekend binge for anyone who likes "Prestige TV" crime dramas.
- Look for the small roles: His work in Calvary and Trespass Against Us shows he can steal a scene from legends like Brendan Gleeson with just a few lines.
- Keep an eye on The Capture: Season 3 is where he’s expected to really shake things up in that franchise.
Killian Scott might not have the Oscar yet, and he might not be on every magazine cover, but in the world of modern acting, he’s one of the few who feels real. Whether he's a detective in Dublin or a Skrull in London, he sells it every single time.