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Irish Film and Television Academy award-winning actress Bríd Brennan is stepping into the magical world of Hogwarts as Madam Poppy Pomfrey in HBO’s highly anticipated HARRY POTTER television series, marking another significant milestone in a career that has consistently elevated both intimate character studies and grand cinematic narratives.
The Belfast-born performer brings decades of acclaimed work to this iconic role, having most recently captivated audiences in the Oscar-shortlisted short film ROOM TAKEN, which was executive produced by Colin Farrell. This latest project showcases Brennan’s continued relevance in contemporary cinema, demonstrating her ability to collaborate with A-list talent while maintaining her reputation for choosing compelling, character-driven stories that resonate with both critics and audiences.
Brennan’s recent filmography reflects an artist at the height of her powers, building upon a foundation established through memorable performances in BROOKLYN in 2015, where she brought nuanced depth to Saoirse Ronan’s immigrant story, and the politically charged thriller SHADOW DANCER in 2012. These roles have positioned her as one of Ireland’s most versatile performers, equally comfortable in period pieces and contemporary dramas, always bringing an authenticity that stems from her deep understanding of human complexity.
Her casting as the Hogwarts matron represents a fascinating evolution from her breakout role in DANCING AT LUGHNASA back in 1998, where she first demonstrated her ability to inhabit characters with both strength and vulnerability. The transition from playing one of the Mundy sisters in that beloved adaptation to becoming the caring medical authority at wizarding school’s most famous institution speaks to Brennan’s range and the trust that casting directors place in her ability to embody maternal figures who are far more complex than they initially appear.
What makes this casting particularly intriguing is how Brennan will reinterpret a role originally brought to life by Gemma Jones in the film series. While Jones established Madam Pomfrey as a competent, no-nonsense healer, Brennan’s proven ability to find unexpected emotional depths in seemingly straightforward characters suggests she will bring new dimensions to the character when the series debuts on HBO and HBO Max in 2027.
The HBO series, currently in production under the guidance of writer and executive producer Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod, promises to expand beyond the constraints of the original film adaptations, exploring storylines that the movies couldn’t accommodate. This expanded canvas seems perfectly suited to Brennan’s talents, as her recent work has consistently demonstrated her skill at finding the extraordinary within the ordinary, the profound within the practical.
For Brennan, stepping into the halls of Hogwarts represents not just another role, but a testament to a career built on consistent excellence and an unwavering commitment to bringing truth to every character she portrays, whether they exist in the kitchen of a Donegal cottage, the streets of 1950s Brooklyn, or the magical corridors of the world’s most famous wizarding school.
The awards season darling you`ve been hearing about is finally streaming.
Chloé Zhao`s HAMNET—the haunting exploration of grief, love, and the creation of Shakespeare`s HAMLET—brings together Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley in performances that have kept both firmly in the Oscar conversation.
If you missed it theatrically, now`s your chance to see what the buzz is about before Oscar night. This is the kind of film that reminds you why cinema matters.
More HAMNET at irishfilmtv.com.
Taylor Swift just dropped the OPALITE music video and it`s giving major Irish vibes ☘️✨
The nearly 6-minute visual sees Domhnall Gleeson starring as Taylor`s love interest, playing two lonely souls who find each other. But here`s where it gets even better: eagle-eyed Swifties spotted cameos from Cillian Murphy and Graham Norton, making this a full-on Irish affair.
Want the full breakdown of this transatlantic collaboration? Head to our blog for all the details on how this stunning video came together. Link in bio! 🔗
The creator of DERRY GIRLS just dropped a murder mystery set at an Irish wake, and honestly? It`s the genre mashup we didn`t know we needed 🕵️♀️
Lisa McGee is back with HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST on Netflix, and if you loved how she found humor in the Troubles (Protestants! Toasters! Cupboards!), you`re going to eat this up.
Three friends reunite for their childhood bestie`s funeral, only to realize her death isn`t what it seems. Cue an eerie adventure across Ireland that`s equal parts creepy and hilarious.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
British Vogue just put Jessie Buckley on their February cover and it`s not just a magazine shoot—it`s a coronation.
Shot by Jack Davison on the windswept Norfolk coast near her home, these images are pure cinema. Sky, sea, and a woman at the exact moment her entire life is about to change.
She`s the frontrunner for Best Actress. HAMNET is destroying audiences. She`s a new mother standing at the edge of the kind of fame that alters everything.
And Vogue captured it all—the grit, the greatness, the quiet mastery that got her here.
More Jessie at irishfilmtv.com.
Caitriona Balfe has just landed her next major role in THE HOUSEKEEPER.
Set in a grand historic manor against Cornwall`s dramatic landscape, Balfe plays Danni, a housekeeper who falls into a forbidden affair with none other than writer Daphne du Maurier (played by Mackenzi Laird).
While we`re counting down to OUTLANDER`s final season premiere on Mar 6th, Balfe is already proving she`s so much more than Claire Fraser. 🔥
More Caitriona at irishfilmtv.com.
After over 20 years of mesmerizing us on screen, Saoirse Ronan is ready to call the shots—literally.
The four-time Oscar nominee is making her directorial debut with PAPER PLANE, an Irish short film she`s also writing, and honestly, this feels like the natural next chapter for someone who`s been acting since she was nine years old.
Details about PAPER PLANE are still under wraps, but with Ronan`s track record, expectations are sky-high. What are you most excited to see from her behind the camera? 🎬
More Saoirse at irishfilmtv.com.
Louis Paxton`s Sundance 2026 debut THE INCOMER stars Domhnall Gleeson, Gayle Rankin, and Grant O`Rourke in a trio that`s equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking.
Think fish-out-of-water meets generational grief, wrapped in the warmth of fireside hot chocolate. Sometimes the scariest thing isn`t a legendary Fin Man—it`s letting go of the past.
Have you ever held onto something because changing felt like betrayal?
More Domhnall at irishfilmtv.com.
🎸 THE BEATLES ARE COMING BACK TO CINEMAS.
Four films. Four perspectives. One legendary band.
Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney. Harris Dickinson as John Lennon. Joseph Quinn as George Harrison. Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr.
The first look just dropped via postcards hidden around Liverpool`s performing arts campus and honestly?
The hype is REAL. 🔥
Sam Mendes is directing all four films, each told from a different Beatle`s POV, and they`re ALL releasing on the same day—April 7, 2028.
Which Beatle`s story are you most excited to see? 👇
Irish talent is absolutely dominating the 2026 BAFTA nominations! 🇮🇪✨
Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal both scored major noms for HAMNET, with Buckley up for Leading Actress as Agnes and Mescal recognized for Supporting Actor as William Shakespeare. The film has basically swept the nominations, breaking records left and right.
But that`s just the beginning. Andrew Scott landed on the longlist for BLUE MOON, Robbie Ryan got recognized for his stunning cinematography on BUGONIA, and even Cillian Murphy appears as a producer on the STEVE longlist.
From performers to cinematographers to production companies like Element Pictures and Wild Atlantic Pictures, Irish voices are everywhere in this year`s race.
The ceremony hits London on February 22nd. The world is watching Irish cinema right now, and what a moment to witness. 🎬🔥
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