From the stage to the screen to the catwalk, meet the young guns of showbusiness tipped to catch fire this year

Last year was another dazzling one for Northern Ireland’s creative talent, with actors, musicians, writers and directors making headlines around the world.

Say Nothing, the Disney+ series adapted from Patrick Radden Keefe’s acclaimed non-fiction book, was a huge ratings hit globally and a showcase for both established and rising Irish talent.

Lola Petticrew, who plays Dolours Price in the Troubles-set drama, looks set to enjoy continued success in 2025 with a leading role in Channel 4 drama Trespasses. Petticrew’s Say Nothing co-star and fellow west Belfast actor Anthony Boyle will next be seen as Arthur Guinness in the upcoming Netflix drama House of Guinness.

Say Nothing and Belfast cop show Blue Lights were both included in the New York Times’ round-up of the best television series of 2024. Seamus O’Hara, who starred in series two of Blue Lights, also enjoyed a productive 2024, with roles in Say Nothing and House of Guinness.

Derry Girls writer Lisa McGee teamed up once again with show director Michael Lennox to bring some magic to new Netflix series How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. It’s likely to premiere on the streaming platform this year.

Kneecap’s world domination continued, with the rap trio’s eponymous biopic pulling in cinema audiences, earning two Oscar nominations for Best International Film and Best Original Song and winning a whopping seven gongs at the British Independent Film Awards, including the most coveted prize, Best British Independent Film. And the young Irish language band from west Belfast are also looking ahead to a series of sell-out shows in the year ahead, both at home and further afield.

Meanwhile, Belfast-based hip hop artist Jordan Adetunji celebrated an amazing year with a Grammy nomination for Best Melodic Rap. His song Kehlani amassed 300 million streams worldwide and saw him shortlisted alongside Beyonce and The Weeknd. Former US President Barack Obama even included it in his list of favourite songs from 2024.

With so much creative talent emerging from Northern Ireland, we shine a light on some of the new faces expected to hit the big time this year.

Actors

MYA McFAUL

Moira schoolgirl Mya McFaul from Wolf Talent has appeared in several commercials and notably, starred in the iconic Casualty episode ‘Charlie’ in March 2024, playing the young Stevie.

She has worked on several short films, including the award-winning Red Panda and has recently finished filming for the Channel 4 series Trespasses, based on Louise Kennedy’s book.

CONLAOCH GOUGH-CUNNINGHAM

Wolf Talent’s Conlaoch Gough-Cunningham is another star on the rise. The 16-year-old also secured a role in Trespasses and is shooting a short film with Cinemagic, with both productions due for release in 2025.

RYLEE NEILLY-LARGE

Rylee Neilly-Large (13), from Belfast, has already travelled the globe as part of his acting career and appears in Disney/FX’s Say Nothing.

Recently, Rylee received his first solo nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the British Short Film Awards. In 2024, he filmed two short films, Pike and My Boy, both set to premiere this year.

CONOR SANCHEZ

Belfast-based Conor is making waves as an up-and-coming actor, having guest starred in Hope Street in 2023 and with roles in Channel 5’s Ellis and Binge’s Mix Tape in 2024.

He is currently filming The Puzzle Lady for Channel Zero and has just recently secured a role in the second series of a Grand Pictures production, marking another step in his career. He is represented by talent agent Shelley Lowry.

SOLOMON HORTA

Ten-year-old Solomon Horta captured hearts as the star of Disney’s 2024 Christmas short, The Boy and the Octopus, directed by the acclaimed Taika Waititi.

His versatility extends to presenting, having taken on roles in BBC Teach in 2022 and 2023. He hones his skills at the Shelley Lowry School in Portadown and has been hailed as a rising star with a great future in acting ahead of him.

EMILY FLAIN

Emily’s film career began with a role in the 2017 feature film Zoo, directed by Colin McIvor. In television, she has appeared in the dramas Marcella and Silverpoint. Most recently she featured in the thriller Dead and Buried, now streaming on BBC iPlayer. Upcoming roles for Emily include an appearance in Lisa McGee’s new Netflix show How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.

Models

JAMES MOODY

Local model James Moody (18) has worked with renowned brands like Douglas and Grahame since joining the books of ACA. In October he was crowned Mr Northern Ireland and the following month, he competed at Mr World in Vietnam, securing a spot in the top five of the Mr Top Model category.

With his career taking off, James is one to watch in 2025 as he continues to make his mark in the modelling world.

KEELY HANNAWAY

Student Keely, a model with ACA, is quickly becoming a stand-out talent in fashion and advertising, having collaborated with brands such as Bellamianta and DFI Beds. Her versatility is helping to build an impressive portfolio of work and ACA bosses are tipping her to be one to watch in 2025.

Musicians

Carrickfergus woman Susi Pagel is fast becoming one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting musical talents. Since 2017 she and her band have delivered electric live performances, blending dreamy vocals, heavy guitar solos and complex drums.

Susi’s sound is influenced by pop, rock and metal, exploring darker themes while retaining her signature pop aesthetic.

The first few tracks of her debut EP ‘Can you hear me now?’ have already garnered support from BBC Radio 1’s Introducing Rock show and after a few high-profile gigs including supporting LA band Set It Off and performing at Electric Picnic, she is planning to release a follow-up EP this year and has some secret London dates lined up as well.

ESMERALDA ROAD

Belfast seven-piece indie band Esmeralda Road had an amazing 2024, playing support to Liam Gallagher in Limerick last summer and winning the BBC Radio Ulster ATL Introducing Artist of The Year award at the NI Music Prize 2024.

The band, which previously won single of the year at the NI Music Prize 2023 under a different guise Moonboot, are currently working towards releasing an EP in the autumn and hopefully hitting the road.

Writers

CLARE McMAHON

Belfast-based Clare McMahon is Co-Creative of Commedia of Errors. A graduate of the Lir Academy’s MFA Playwriting programme, her recent work includes Mary Ann, The Forgotten Sister for Kabosh at Clifton House, and the sold-out remount of her debut play Shakespeare’s Women at The Grand Opera House Studio.

The Gap Year, her Lyric Theatre main stage debut, opened in September 2022 and returns to the main stage in February.

Clare was a shortlisted writer for the Zodiak Kids Award with CBBC and is currently developing her first pilot.

Comedy

EMER MAGUIRE

A former speech and language therapist from Strabane, Emer Maguire is the brightest new star on Northern Ireland’s comedy circuit.

Her deadpan humour and self-deprecation have won her many fans since she launched her debut stand-up tour in 2023, One for the Road.

2024’s follow-up, Socially Awkward, was also a huge success.

With sold-out shows at the Ulster Hall, Grand Opera House and Mandela Hall, Emer is set to shine in the year ahead.