It’s about time we stopped calling Daryl McCormack a “rising star.” That ship sailed somewhere between his BAFTA nod and the moment he started sharing screen time with the likes of Daniel Craig and Emma Thompson. As of April 2026, the lad from Nenagh isn’t just a face you recognise from a BBC drama; he’s become a genuine anchor for high-end cinema and prestige streaming.
Born in 1993 to an Irish mother and an African-American father, McCormack’s background is often cited as a reason for his versatility, but that feels like a bit of a lazy take. The reality is that he’s just a massive talent who spent years honing his craft at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin before making the jump to London. He’s got this specific, heavy screen presence—a way of saying a lot while doing very little—that directors clearly can’t get enough of.
The Recent Hits: Knives Out and Twisters
If you’ve been following along with Daryl McCormack movies and TV shows, then 2025 was a pretty legendary year for him. He appeared in Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery as Cyrus “Cy” Draven. In a movie full of A-listers, McCormack even managed to steal the scene by portraying a character who felt actually human amongst all the caricature-style mystery tropes.
Critics at the London Film Festival premiere in late 2025 immediately noted that he brought a much-needed grounded energy to the chaos.
Before that, he veered into Hollywood blockbuster territory with Twisters (2024). It was a bit of a transition for him, jumping from intimate character studies to giant storm-chasing spectacles.
He played Jeb, and while he wasn’t the one dodging flying cows for the whole two hours, he made his mark. It proved the point: he can handle the scale of a summer tentpole just as easily as a two-person play.
Also read: The Making of Daniel Francis Boyle as a Notable UK Filmmaker
The Big News: Apple TV+ and a New Corporate Thriller
The biggest thing on the cards right now—breaking just a couple of weeks ago—is his new project with Apple TV+. According to Deadline and ANI News, McCormack is set to star in an untitled thriller alongside Dakota Fanning and Stellan Skarsgård.
The plot sounds like classic prestige TV. Fanning plays an undercover Treasury agent trying to take down a massive, corrupt international conglomerate. McCormack has been cast as Kar, the reluctant heir to the whole empire.
Apparently, the crux of the show is Fanning’s character realising that Kar might actually be a decent bloke caught in a nightmare, which starts to mess with her mission. With Skarsgård playing the head of the firm, expect plenty of tense dinner scenes and corporate backstabbing.
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A New Mr. Bingley for the Netflix Generation
There’s also the small matter of Dolly Alderton’s Pride and Prejudice adaptation for Netflix. This one has been doing the rounds for a while, but it’s finally slated for a Spring 2026 release. McCormack is playing Mr Bingley.
Now, Bingley is usually played as a bit of a golden retriever in breeches—nice, but maybe a bit dim. But with Alderton writing and Euros Lyn directing, this version is tipped to be more of a sharp-witted comedy. Casting McCormack is a bit of a stroke of genius; he’s got that natural charm that makes you believe he’d be the most popular man in any room he walks into. Starring alongside Emma Corrin’s Lizzie Bennet and Jack Lowden’s Darcy, this film features some of the finest acting talent from the UK and Ireland.
Key Filmography: Daryl McCormack Movies and TV Shows
| Title | Release Year | Media Type | Role |
| Untitled Apple TV+ Project | 2026 (Upcoming) | TV Series | Kar |
| Pride and Prejudice | 2026 (Upcoming) | TV Series | Mr. Bingley |
| Cry to Heaven | 2026 (Upcoming) | Movie | TBC |
| Wake Up Dead Man | 2025 | Movie | Cy Draven |
| Anniversary | 2025 | Movie | TBC |
| Twisters | 2024 | Movie | Jeb |
| The Woman in the Wall | 2023 | TV Series | Colman Akande |
| The Lesson | 2023 | Movie | Liam Sommers |
| Bad Sisters | 2022–2024 | TV Series | Matthew Claffin |
| Good Luck to You, Leo Grande | 2022 | Movie | Leo Grande |
| Peaky Blinders | 2019–2022 | TV Series | Isaiah Jesus |
Tom Ford and “Cry to Heaven”
For those who like their cinema a bit more experimental and visually stunning, the most intriguing project in his filmography is likely Cry to Heaven. Directed by Tom Ford—yes, that Tom Ford—the film wrapped shooting in Rome back in March 2026.
It’s a period piece, adapted from the Anne Rice novel, but set in the 18th-century world of the “castrati”. It’s an extremely stacked cast, including Nicholas Hoult and Aaron Taylor-Johnson— and even a cameo from Adele, making her acting debut. McCormack’s role has not yet been fully clear, but if you’re hand-picked by Ford, it means that you are on the cusp of becoming part of something very stylish and very intense.
Also read: Anson Boon Movies and TV Shows: The Rising Star Taking Over Your Screen in 2026
Why Everyone Is Talking About Him
So at the end of the day, who is Daryl McCormack? He’s an actor who never seemed to go through the “fame for fame’s sake” phase. He’s famously reticent on social media—despite a rare personal “hard launch” of a relationship in late 2024—and also, he seems to prefer talking about the work.
He is extremely protective of the theatre, he told Numéro Netherlands in a recent chat, which can be traced back to the nights spent watching plays with his grandfather. You can see that training in his television work, especially in The Woman in the Wall. Playing Detective Colman Akande, he had to navigate some seriously dark Irish history, and he did it with a vulnerability that felt painfully real.
FAQs
Is Daryl McCormack still in Bad Sisters?
He was a major part of seasons one and two as Matthew Claffin. Even as the show has moved and changed, his chemistry with the Garvey sisters—especially Becka—is a fan favourite.
What was his breakout role?
Most people cite Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (2022). It was a two-hander, requiring him to maintain his performance alongside Emma Thompson throughout the entire runtime. Not many actors can pull that off.
Does he have any new movies coming out in 2026?
Look for Cry to Heaven and the thriller Anniversary. Plus, that Apple TV+ series with Dakota Fanning is the big one for the small screen.
Where can I find him on social media?
He’s on Instagram as @_darylmccormack, but don’t expect daily updates. He’s more of a “post once every few months” kind of guy.
Final Thoughts
Look, the hype is real. Whether playing the romantic lead in a Jane Austen reboot or a conflicted heir in a corporate thriller, Daryl McCormack has that rare ability to turn every character into an actual person you might meet. He doesn’t rely on gimmicks or overacting. He’s just putting in work and doing it better than nearly anyone else his age is doing right now. It would be absolutely smashing where he ends up after the Tom Ford movie is released later this year.
In any case, if you haven’t watched The Woman in the Wall yet, go and address that. It’s a difficult watch, but he’s tremendous in it. What do you think? Is he the next Bond or better off sticking to these prestige dramas?
Sources and References
- IMDb: Daryl McCormack Filmography: For a comprehensive timeline of his roles from Peaky Blinders to Wake Up Dead Man.
- Deadline – Apple TV+ Corporate Thriller Casting (March 2026): Official report on the Alex Cary project starring McCormack alongside Dakota Fanning, detailing his role as the corporate heir.
- Vogue – Tom Ford’s ‘Cry to Heaven’ Production Update: Coverage of the 18th-century period piece and the high-profile cast featuring McCormack and Nicholas Hoult.
- Numéro Netherlands – In Conversation With Daryl McCormack: An intimate look at his acting philosophy, his Irish upbringing in Nenagh, and his deep connection to the theatre.
- British GQ – Daryl McCormack’s 2023 BAFTA Interview: Background on his rise to fame following Leo Grande and his early experiences on the awards circuit.
