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Chris O'Dowd

Chris O'Dowd

Actor · Born October 9, 1979 (47) · Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland

Primetime Emmy winner · BAFTA Award nominee · Screen Actors Guild Award nominee

Christopher O'Dowd (born 9 October 1979) is an Irish actor and comedian. He received wide attention as Roy Brenneman, one of the lead characters in the Channel 4 comedy The IT Crowd, which ran for four series from 2006 to 2010. He has starred in films including Gulliver's Travels (2010), Bridesmaids, Friends with Kids (2011), Cuban Fury (2014), Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016) and The Cloverfield Paradox (2018). He created and starred in the Sky 1 television series Moone Boy, which aired from 2012 to 2015 and brought him Irish Film and Television Award nominations for acting, writing and directing. Since 2017, he has appeared as Miles Daly in the Epix comedy series Get Shorty. He had a recurring role in the comedy-drama series Girls. His performance in the British comedy TV series State of the Union won him a Primetime Emmy Award. He made his Broadway debut in the play adaptation of Of Mice and Men in 2014, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. In 2020, he was listed as #39 on The Irish Times list of Ireland's greatest film actors. Description above from the Wikipedia article Chris O'Dowd, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 9, 1979 (47)
From
Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland
Works as
Actor
Titles
50 on MovieCove · 72 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 42% in 30 days

What are Chris O'Dowd's films like?

Across their 36 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Animation5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile
: browse their Animation movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 83rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 92nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
33%
Self
32%
Morality
10%
Survival
9%
Society
8%
Ideas
5%
Power
3%
Family bonds11 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship9 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity10 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth7 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity8 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 27 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 16 · Serious 4 · Dark 7

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 15 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 15 · Charged 7 · Intense 5

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 17 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 11 · Funny 9

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 14 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 18 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 21 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

24 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 5 of 24 analyzed roles.

Shadow
5 of 24
Hero
4 of 24
Shapeshifter
4 of 24
Ally
3 of 24
Mentor
3 of 24
Trickster
2 of 24
Herald
2 of 24
Threshold guardian
1 of 24
Show the 24 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
13
Joyful
12
Tense
9
Absurd
10
Contemplative
13
Other
37

How their films linger

Feel-good15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy14
  • Bittersweet21
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Chris O'Dowd's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 41 of their 50 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Chris O'Dowd's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

72 credits, 50 with a MovieCove page; 20 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • On the Edge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2027)

    as (voice)

  • Artificial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • Me, Myself, and Mary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • The Sheep Detectives(2026)

    as Mopple (voice)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • National Theatre Live: The Brightening Air (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Dermot

  • Small Town, Big Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 6 episodes · Director · Creator · Executive Producer · Writer · as Jack E. McCarthy

  • Puffin Rock and the New Friends(2023)

    as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • The Big Door Prize(2023)

    Show 20 episodes · as Dusty

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • Slumberland(2022)

    as Phillip

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • My Father's Dragon(2022)

    as Kwan the Macaque (voice)

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Human Resources(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Flanny O'Lympic (voice) · as Flanny the Lovebug (voice)

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • National Theatre Live: Constellations (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Roland

  • The Starling(2021)

    as Jack Maynard

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • How to Build a Girl(2019)

    as Alan 'Wilko' Wilkinson

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth(2020)

    as Finn's Dad (voice)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • State of the Union(2019)

    Show 10 episodes · as Tom

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • The Twilight Zone(2019)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows

  • Mary Poppins Returns(2018)

    as Shamus the Coachman (voice)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Juliet, Naked(2018)

    as Duncan Thomson

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Love After Love(2017)

    as Nicholas

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Cloverfield Paradox(2018)

    as Mundy

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Molly's Game(2017)

    as Douglas Downey

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Get Shorty(2017)

    Show 27 episodes · as Miles Daly

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Loving Vincent(2017)

    as Postman Joseph Roulin

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Incredible Jessica James(2017)

    as Boone

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children(2016)

    as Frank

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Mascots(2016)

    as Tommy 'Zook' Zucarello

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Program(2015)

    as David Walsh

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Puffin Rock(2015)

    Show 39 episodes · as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • National Theatre Live: Of Mice and Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Lennie

  • St. Vincent(2014)

    as Brother Geraghty

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Monsters vs Aliens: Creature Features (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Dr. Cockroach Ph.D.

  • Calvary(2014)

    as Jack Brennan

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Double(2013)

    as Nurse

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Cuban Fury(2014)

    as Drew

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Thor: The Dark World(2013)

    as Richard

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Monsters Vs Aliens: Cloning Around (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Dr. Cockroach (voice)

  • Epic(2013)

    as Grub (voice)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Family Tree(2013)

    Show 8 episodes · as Tom Chadwick

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Monsters vs. Aliens(2013)

    Show 50 episodes · as Dr. Cockroach Ph.D.

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows

  • This Is 40(2012)

    as Ronnie

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • 3, 2, 1... Frankie Go Boom(2012)

    as Bruce

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Moone Boy(2012)

    Show 18 episodes · Creator · as Sean Murphy

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • The Sapphires(2012)

    as Dave Lovelace

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Girls(2012)

    Show 5 episodes · as Thomas-John

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Friends with Kids(2011)

    as Alex

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Black Mirror(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Mike

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Bridesmaids(2011)

    as Rhodes

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Crimson Petal and the White(2011)

    Show 4 episodes · as William Rackham

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Gulliver's Travels(2010)

    as General Edward

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Dinner for Schmucks(2010)

    as Marco

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel(2009)

    as Ray

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Pirate Radio(2009)

    as Simon

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • FM (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 6 episodes · as Lindsay Carol

  • The Secret Policeman's Ball 2008 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • How to Lose Friends & Alienate People(2008)

    as Post Modern Review Staff

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Roman's Empire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 6 episodes · as Jase

  • Hotel Very Welcome (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Liam

  • The Amazing Mrs Pritchard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 6 episodes · as Headmaster

  • The IT Crowd(2006)

    Show 24 episodes · as Roy Trenneman

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The Year London Blew Up: 1974(2005)

    as Brendan Dowd

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Festival (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Tommy O'Dwyer

  • Vera Drake(2004)

    as Sid's Customer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Clinic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 64 episodes · as Brendan Davenport

  • Conspiracy of Silence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as James

  • Red Cap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 12 episodes · as Bernie Maddox

  • Family Guy(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Butler (voice) · as Guard / Contestant (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · as Seamus (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Bender (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Ceasefire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Niall O'Dowd

  • The Adventures of Super Frank (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Writer · as John O'Dowd

  • Untitled Jack and the Beanstalk Film (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as (voice)

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 72 titles, 66 of them dated from 1989 to 2026; peak year 2013.

Biggest box office

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016)

$296M worldwide

Highest rated

Loving Vincent (2017)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

The IT Crowd (2006)

Film career

MilestoneBreakoutAward winNomination
19892026

Peak 2013 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 17 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

Show 1 more milestone

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting72 of 72: 69 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score67thDirecting1 of 72: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting2 of 72: 0 only writing, 2 with another roleProducing1 of 72: 0 only producing, 1 with another roleOther crew2 of 72: 0 only other crew, 2 with another role

72 titles, 3 with more than one role — acting and other crew overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s1 · acting2000s15 · acting2010s36 · 36 acting · 1 crew2020s13 · 13 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 6% of 32 roles
041419

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

a Primetime Emmy from 5 major nominations, 2012–2019.

WinNomination
  1. 2019
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series
  2. 2015
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Scripted Comedy
  3. 2014
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Male Performance in a Comedy Programme
  4. 2012
    • BAFTA Award, nominated
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Chris O'Dowd's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 66th percentile, the median of all 35; across their 27 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 65th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Approval · how many liked their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Reach · how many have seen their films

91stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Midcredits score across 50 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up20
  • 50th to 74th15
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

24 of their 50 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved10
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser24
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · actor

The Year London Blew Up: 1974 (2005)

90th percentile spread · 23% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Loving Vincent (2017)

Midcredits 97th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 72/100 in their films, across 25 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 47. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Chris O'Dowd's work okay for kids?

Across up to 22 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films and violence & gore lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore17 titles8–74 · median 34 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity22 titles14–62 · median 28 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity20 titles27–79 · median 54 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs18 titles10–61 · median 42 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense18 titles11–68 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Chris O'Dowd work with?

People who share at least 2 of Chris O'Dowd's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Melissa McCarthy shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles