Emmett J. Scanlan

Emmett J. Scanlan (also credited as Emmett John Scanlan, Emmett J Scanlan, and Emmett Scanlan) is an Irish screen actor born on January 31, 1979, in Dublin, Ireland. Known for intense, charismatic performances, he has built a career across television and film, often bringing edge and emotional clarity to morally complex roles.

He became widely recognized for portraying villain Brendan Brady in Hollyoaks, a breakout part that introduced his work to a broad audience. From there, Scanlan expanded into genre and prestige projects, including the BBC drama The Fall (filmed during 2013–2014) and BBC Three’s In the Flesh (Series 2), where his presence added weight to ensemble storytelling.

On the feature side, his credits range from indie and thriller fare—such as Colour from the Dark (Luigi), Savage (Jacko), Charlie Casanova (Charlie Casanova), and Lapwing (David)—to larger studio worlds. He also appears in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy as a Head Riot Guard, underscoring his versatility from gritty drama to blockbuster spectacle.