February 9th 2025.
Sinéad Keenan has been captivating audiences as DCI Jess James in the hit crime drama Unforgotten since 2023. But little did we know, acting talent runs in her family. Her sister Gráinne Keenan, also an actress, has appeared alongside Sinéad on the show. And it doesn't stop there, their brother Rory Keenan is also a successful actor, having starred in popular programs like Peaky Blinders. In fact, he's even married to a Hollywood star. It seems show business is in their blood, as Sinéad's husband also works in the TV industry.
So who is this mysterious husband of Sinéad? It turns out, he's TV director Chris McGill. The two met twenty years ago while performing in a Royal Shakespeare Company production in Stratford-Upon-Avon. "We were in A Midsummer Night's Dream," Sinéad revealed, "I was playing Hermia; he was playing a fairy! He was the understudy Lysander to my Hermia." The couple now resides in Shakespeare's hometown with their two sons.
Sinéad's sister Gráinne is also making a name for herself in the entertainment industry. Not only does she star as Sinéad's on-screen sister in Unforgotten, but she has also appeared in other popular shows like Line of Duty and Breeders. Her brother Rory has also made his mark, with roles in The Duchess and Peaky Blinders. He is also married to actor Gemma Arterton.
When asked about her family's acting background, Sinéad shared, "It's our normal, but I suppose it is unusual for three siblings to be in the same job... It's punishment for something, I'm sure." She admits that she was initially shy and was sent to speech and drama classes to come out of her shell. Her parents were not initially supportive of her acting dreams, so she studied history and sociology at University College Dublin. However, they changed their minds after seeing her play Eliza Doolittle in an amateur production.
Sinéad's career began in the Irish soap Fair City before moving to London and booking roles in movies, sitcoms, and guest appearances on various TV shows. But it was her breakout role as Nina in the BBC Three series Being Human that really put her on the map. Since then, she has been nominated for prestigious awards for her performances in shows like Little Boy Blue, Care, and Silent Witness. In 2023, she took on the iconic role of DCI Jess James in Unforgotten, taking over for Nicola Walker as DCI Cassie Stewart.
Don't miss Sinéad Keenan in action as DCI Jess James on Unforgotten, airing tonight on ITV and ITVX at 9pm. And if you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, be sure to get in touch with our entertainment team. We'd love to hear from you.
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