Brian McCardie obit

Outlander and Line of Duty star Brian McCardie dies aged 59

The Motherwell-born actor's death was announced on social media by his sister Sarah. 

He was not on the list.

Tributes have poured in for Line of Duty actor Brian McCardie who has died, aged 59.

The Motherwell-born star was best known for his role as the mafia boss John Thomas "Tommy" Hunter alongside fellow Scot Martin Compston in the police drama.

He was described as a ‘wonderful and passionate actor’ by his sister Sarah, who announced the news of his death on social media today.

She tweeted: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Brian James McCardie, beloved son, brother, uncle and dear friend to so many.

“Brian passed away suddenly at home on Sunday 28th April. A wonderful and passionate actor on stage and screen, Brian loved his work and touched many lives, and is gone much too soon. We love him and will miss him greatly; please remember Brian in your thoughts.

“Funeral arrangements will be announced in the days ahead.”

McCardie played Sir Marcus MacRannoch in an episode of Outlander and had only recently joined the cast of the Outlander prequel Blood of My Blood, in which he was cast as the chief of Clan Grant.

Starz network revealed McCardie that was currently filming in Scotland alongside the likes of Sara Vickers, Harriet Slater, Jamie Roy and Peter Mullan in the upcoming series, which centres around the lives of Outlander character Jamie Fraser’s parents.

McCardie’s acting career had already seen him take on dozens of roles in prime time television stretching back over 35 years as well as on the big screen.

His best known TV role was in Line of Duty , he also starred opposite Sean Bean in the 2021 BBC prison drama Time and in the film Rob Roy and in Irvine Welsh’s TV series Crime.

His film appearances included Rob Roy, Irvine Welsh’s Filth and the thriller Low Winter Sun alongside Mark Strong.

Producer Peter Broughan added: Shocked to hear that. Great memories of working with him on Rob Roy. Requiescat in pace.”

Author Paul Larkin tweeted: “Shocked and devastated to learn of the passing of Brian McCardie.

“Brian was a brilliant friend and we had many discussions about mental health issues where he was a fantastic help to me.

“As well as that; he was a phenomenal actor. Sleep tight Brother.”

George Clark responded: “Aw sorry to hear this. Was a presence on everything he was in. Especially Filth and Crime. RIP.”

Director Alan Bowman Clarke posted: I'm saddened to hear about the death of legendary actor #brianmccardie. I spoke to him a few times about projects & always found him genuine, passionate, generous & funny. I wrote a part for him in a future project. My thoughts go out to his family, friends & colleagues.”

McCardie’s parents moved from Motherwell to Carluke while he was at school and he developed an interest in theatre, starring in a production of the musical Godspell with a local drama group consisting of youngsters from local schools.

He recently appeared in Jimmy McGovern’s three-part BBC One drama Time as Jackson Jones.

He also appeared in Sky Atlantic’s Domina , set in Ancient Rome playing Roman statesman Cicero.

At the Lyric Theatre Belfast, he performed his self-penned one-man play Connolly, about the Irish republican, socialist and trade union leader James Connolly who was executed for his part in the 1916 Easter Rising against British rule in Ireland.

The cancellation of 2020's Edinburgh Festival meant he lost the opportunity to present it in a six-week run in Edinburgh's Cowgate, where Connolly was born and raised.

 

Selected filmography

Forget About Me (1990, TV Movie) – Bunny

Waterfront Beat (1990–1991, TV Series) – PC Ronnie Barker

Tonight at 8.30 (1991, TV Series) – Bill – 1st Soldier

Murder Most Horrid (1991, TV Series) – Supermarket Assistant

Doctor Finlay (1993, TV Series) – Archie Henderson

Taggart (1994–2010, TV Series) – Thomas Keenan / Fisher / Martin McLean / Alex Currie

Dirty Old Town (1995, TV Movie) – Vic Leigh

Rob Roy (1995) – Alasdair McGregor

Kidnapped (1995, TV Movie) – David Balfour

The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) – Angus Starling

Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997) – Merced

200 Cigarettes (1999) – Eric

Kavanagh QC (1999, TV Series) – Philip Boxer

Rituals and Resolutions (1999, Short) – Will

Snatch (2000) – Uncle Dean

Beyond the City Limits (2001) – Sergei Akotia

Mr. Barrington (2003) – Mr Barrington

Solid Air (2003) – Robert Houston Junior

The Bill (2004, TV Series) – Taffy Saunders

Ellie Parker (2005) – Acting Student

Murphy's Law (2006, TV Series) – Billy Johnstone

Low Winter Sun (2006, TV Movie) – Det Con Joe Geddes

Lilies (2007, TV Mini-Series) – Dadda Moss

The Whistleblowers (2007, TV Series) – Tim Robey

Rebus (2007, TV Series) – Brian Robertson

Shameless (2008, TV Series) – Paddy McGrath

Kiss of Death (2008, TV Movie) – Michael Bovery

Heroes and Villains (2008, TV Series documentary) – Hernán Cortés

The Damned United (2009) – Dave Mackay

Wasted (2009) – Party Host

Seaside Stories (2009) – Dr. Forbes

Soulboy (2010) – Fish-shop Bobby

Anywhere But Here (2010, TV Movie) – Peter McBride

Thorne: Sleepyhead (2010, TV Mini-Series) – Frank Calvert

Accused (2010, TV Series) – DI Warren

The Witcher 2 (2011, Video Game) – (English version, voice)

The Ripper (2011, Computer Game) – The Reverend (voice)

Case Histories (2011, TV Series) – Terence Smith

Titanic (2012, TV Mini-Series) – First Officer Murdoch

Vexed (2012, TV Series) – Robert Randell

Doors Open (2012, TV Movie) – Charlie Calloway

Line of Duty (2012–2014, TV Series) – Tommy / John Thomas Hunter

The Crash (2013, TV Series) – Charlie Harris

MI High (2013, TV Series) – Mr. McNab

For Those in Peril (2013) – Dr. Forbes

The Groundsman (2013, Short) – Steve

Filth (2013) – Dougie Gillman

Ghosts (2014) – Jacob Engstrand

Peterman (2014) – Bill

Wasted Time (2014) – Danny

The Musketeers (2015, TV Series) – Sebastian Lemaitre

Dropping Off Michael (2015, Short) – Duncan

Holby City (2015, TV Series) – Archie Pugh

Outlander (2015, TV Series) – Sir Marcus MacRannoch

Scarlet (2016, Short) – Fisherman

Rebellion (2016, TV Mini-Series) – James Connolly

The Job (2016) – Geoff

Fortitude 2 (2017, TV Series) – Lazlo Hindemith

Come Out of the Woods (2017, Short) – PC Brian Cassidy

Walk Like a Panther (2018) – Ziggy Barrow

Ordeal by Innocence (2018, TV Mini-Series) – Bellamy Gould (Transmission BBC 1 Easter 2018)[5]

Agatha and the Truth of Murder (2018, DPS Productions, TV Movie) – Sir Hugh Persimmion

Moscow Noir (2018, 8 Part TV Series) – Lord Pendergast

Giri/Haji (2019, 8 Part Series) – Jack Sister Pictures

Last of The Czars (2019, Netflix/Nutopia, 6 Part Series, TV Series documentary) – Prime Minister Pyotr Stolypin

Our Ladies (2019) – Police Sergeant

Charles lst (2019, TV series) – Sir John Pym

Domina (2021, TV series) – Cicero

Time (2021, TV series) – Jackson Jones

Six Four (2023, 4 Part TV Series) – Bill Martin

Mia and The Dragon Princess (2023) – Skipper Matthews

The Long Shadow (2023, 7 Part TV Series) – Steve

Damaged (2024) – Avery