Fionn O’Shea: Biography, Age, Height, House of Guinness

You might recognise Fionn O’Shea from his breakout role in Handsome Devil or his turn as Jamie in Normal People. But the Dublin-born actor is about to step into one of his most intriguing parts yet: playing Benjamin Guinness in Netflix’s upcoming drama House of Guinness.

Born: 2 January 1997 ·
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland ·
Known for: Handsome Devil, Dating Amber, House of Guinness ·
Latest project: House of Guinness (Netflix, 2025)

Five key facts paint a clear picture of O’Shea’s profile so far.

The pattern: an actor who built his career in Irish independent film and television, now stepping into a high-profile international period drama.

Who is Fionn O’Shea?

Early life and education

• Born on 2 January 1997 in Dublin, Ireland (IMDb (film database))
• Attended Gonzaga College in Ranelagh, a private Catholic boys’ school (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
• Later trained at Visions Drama School (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))

O’Shea’s first brush with film came early: he appeared in the Irish short New Boy at age 10, which went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short Film (IMDb (film database)). That early exposure to award-season buzz set the stage for a career in front of the camera.

Career breakthroughs

• 2016: Lead role as Ned Roche in Handsome Devil (IMDb (film database))
• 2020: Played Jamie in Normal People (IMDb (film database))
• 2020: Starred opposite Saoirse Monica Jackson (of Derry Girls fame) in Dating Amber (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
• 2023: Portrayed a young Samuel Beckett in Dance First (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))

Handsome Devil earned O’Shea a nomination for the Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role – Film, marking him as a rising talent in Irish cinema (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)).

Personal life (partner, parents)

• Parents are not publicly named (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
• Relationship status is not publicly confirmed (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))

What this means: O’Shea has kept his private life firmly out of the spotlight, and no reliable source lists a partner or spouse. The actor’s social media presence is professional rather than personal.

Is Fionn O’Shea in the House of Guinness?

Role as Benjamin Guinness

• O’Shea plays Benjamin Guinness, the middle brother of the Guinness brewing dynasty, in Netflix’s House of Guinness (Netflix Tudum (official Netflix companion))
• The character is portrayed as “the neglected middle brother” who is written off by his father and siblings due to his lack of interest in the family business (Netflix Tudum (official Netflix companion))
• Netflix describes Ben as having a gambling addiction and substance abuse problems (Netflix Tudum (official Netflix companion))

O’Shea told Netflix he was drawn to the project because he grew up in Dublin, knew the family history, and is a fan of creator Steven Knight, director Tom Shankland, and director Mounia Akl (Netflix Tudum (official Netflix companion)).

“He feels like a ghost in his own home — ignored, overlooked.”

Fionn O’Shea on his character Ben, Netflix Tudum (Netflix Tudum)

The implication: O’Shea’s Ben is a deeply troubled character, offering a dramatic departure from his earlier roles. For viewers who know him from the gentle comedy of Dating Amber, this will be a sharp tonal shift.

Production details and release

• Series created by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) (IMDb (film database))
• Expected to release on Netflix in 2025 (IMDb (film database))
• O’Shea appears in all 7 episodes (IMDb (film database))

The trade-off: the series is expected to deliver a dark family saga, and O’Shea’s casting signals Netflix’s confidence in his range.

How tall is Fionn O’Shea?

Height from public records

• No authoritative source lists Fionn O’Shea’s height (IMDb (film database) – no height listed)
• Speculative online estimates vary but are unconfirmed (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia) – no height)

The catch: without a verified listing from a reliable source, any height figure found online should be treated as rumour.

Comparison with co-stars

• In Normal People, O’Shea’s character Jamie appeared alongside Paul Mescal (who is 5’10″/178 cm) – no direct comparison available (IMDb (film database))

Why this matters: height is a common search query, but in O’Shea’s case, the data simply isn’t available. Readers should be wary of any site claiming a definitive figure.

Where is O’Shea from in Ireland?

Birthplace: Dublin

• Born in Dublin, Ireland (IMDb (film database))
• Attended school in Ranelagh, a suburb of Dublin (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))

O’Shea is a Dubliner through and through, and his Irish identity is central to his public image and the roles he takes.

Connection to Irish acting scene

• Most of his early work was in Irish productions: Handsome Devil, Dating Amber, Normal People (shot in Ireland) (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
• He is part of a wave of young Irish actors gaining international recognition, alongside Paul Mescal, Saoirse Monica Jackson, and others (People (celebrity news magazine))

The pattern: O’Shea’s career is rooted in the Irish film and television industry, which has become a launchpad for global stardom in recent years.

How much of House of Guinness is true?

Historical figures and events

• The series is based on the real Guinness brewing family, a dynasty that dominated Irish brewing for centuries (Yahoo News (entertainment coverage))
• Benjamin Guinness (the character played by O’Shea) is a real historical figure: Benjamin Lee Guinness II, a member of the family who was known for his troubled life (Yahoo News (entertainment coverage))
• Specific plot details, including Ben’s gambling addiction and substance abuse, are drawn from historical accounts but dramatized for the series (Netflix Tudum (official Netflix companion))

Creative liberties in the script

• Steven Knight is known for taking creative liberties in historical dramas (e.g., Peaky Blinders) (IMDb (film database))
• Netflix describes the series as “inspired by true events” rather than a strict historical account (Netflix Tudum (official Netflix companion))

The implication: viewers should enjoy the drama but not take every plot point as historical fact. O’Shea’s portrayal of Benjamin Guinness is grounded in real tragedy, but the storytelling is shaped for entertainment.

Key quotes from Fionn O’Shea

“I’d never even done the Guinness tour before I got the part.”

Fionn O’Shea speaking with The Times (UK newspaper) in 2025

“He feels like a ghost in his own home — ignored, overlooked.”

Fionn O’Shea on his character Ben, Netflix Tudum (Netflix Tudum (official Netflix companion))

For Irish audiences and fans of the rising generation of actors, O’Shea’s move into a leading role in a major Netflix series is a clear signal: the Dublin native is no longer just a promising indie actor. The choice to take on the troubled Benjamin Guinness – a role that demands both vulnerability and darkness – will define his next chapter. If he pulls it off, expect bigger offers to follow. If not, he’ll still have a solid foundation in the Irish film scene to fall back on.

Frequently asked questions

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