Owen McDonnell is having a seriously stellar year in 2024, and it’s all thanks to him playing some of the most despicable characters on TV. The Irish actor, who’s 50 and definitely not slowing down, has been keeping audiences on edge with his standout roles. He kicked off the year with a chilling turn as Raymond Clark, a cold-blooded killer in HBO's True Detective: Night Country. His portrayal of the Arctic scientist left viewers in shock, but McDonnell wasn’t done yet. He quickly followed that up by playing Ian Reilly in Bad Sisters Season 2, where he went from seeming like the perfect guy to the most sinister villain on the show, leaving the Garvey sisters—and the audience—reeling.
From Cold-Blooded Killer to Master Manipulator
When McDonnell first showed up as Ian in Bad Sisters, he seemed like a breath of fresh air. He was introduced as the charming, seemingly gentle guy who won the heart of Grace (played by Anne-Marie Duff) in a bereavement support group. This, of course, was all part of Ian's master plan to manipulate his way into the Garvey family’s lives. The sisters, played by a powerhouse cast including Eve Hewson, Eva Birthistle, Sarah Greene, and co-creator Sharon Horgan, have already been through a lot. In Season 1, they’d conspired to kill John Paul (played by Claes Bang), Grace's abusive husband, who met a well-deserved end. But Season 2 took a wild turn when Grace, now happily married to Ian, dies in a mysterious car accident. That’s when the true horror of Ian’s character is revealed.
The Shocking Reveal: Ian Isn’t Who He Says He Is
Turns out, Ian Reilly isn’t even Ian Reilly. His real name is Cormac Sweeney, and he’s not just a con man—he’s a former cop with a dark past. Cormac, who's married with kids, is a disgraced officer who’s been scamming vulnerable women like Grace. The Garvey sisters quickly learn that their beloved Ian is no hero, but a manipulative liar, threatening to expose all their secrets unless they pay him off. McDonnell himself says, “Ian is actually more despicable than John Paul. John Paul never hid his prick-ishness, whereas Ian is one of those master manipulators who has no empathy. He can gauge what's missing in people’s lives and fill in those gaps.”
If John Paul was a villain you could easily spot, Ian is the kind of villain who blends in, charming his way into the hearts of everyone around him, only to betray them at the first chance. His manipulative nature makes him one of the most vile characters in the show, and McDonnell nails it, making Ian’s turn from "perfect husband" to "total scoundrel" absolutely thrilling.
The Epic Showdown: Ian’s Run-In with the Garveys
The drama hits its peak in Bad Sisters when Ian, who’s been pushing the Garvey sisters to the brink, finally crosses the line. During a heated argument with Grace’s sisters, Ian insults Grace’s memory, and that’s when Angelica (played by Fiona Shaw)—the sharp-eyed neighbor who’s been watching Ian closely—decides to take matters into her own hands. In an unforgettable moment, she smashes Ian’s head with a bat, and it’s all downhill from there.
The sisters, now fully aware of how dangerous Ian is, throw him into the trunk of a car, planning to dispose of him by dumping his body off a cliff into the dark sea below. But, of course, Ian isn’t done yet. Somehow, he manages to rally his strength and survive—only to find himself stranded on a ledge below the cliff, barely clinging to life. McDonnell recalls the scene: “I spent three hours basically chained to a rock with the Irish sea smashing around me while the girls did their scenes up on the cliff top. I was wearing thermals with a dry suit, and there was this lovely sense of peace down on this rock at 4 a.m.”
Ian’s fate is uncertain, and despite his best efforts to survive, he’s eventually rescued and taken to the hospital. But the Garveys don’t let him off that easily. Not only does Ian have to pay back the money he swindled from the family, but he’s also silenced from filing charges against them. In McDonnell’s own words, he had initially assumed that Ian’s story would end with him dead, but the producers had other plans: “Before we started filming, I had the impression that Ian would end up dead at the end. But later, they said, ‘Oh no, actually, you're going to survive and get your comeuppance at the hospital.’ I was delighted. Maybe Ian will come back and terrorize the sisters again.”
Ian’s Fate and McDonnell’s Future in TV
While it’s unclear whether Ian will make a return in a potential Season 3 of Bad Sisters, McDonnell is already looking ahead to what’s next. After the holiday break, he’s planning to finalize his next project, though he admits he’s ready to step away from roles that have him playing killers. “There’s a few things floating around,” he says, hinting that he might be taking on new and different challenges. "But maybe going forward, I'll try to get away from playing people who are killers."
Even though McDonnell is moving on from his Bad Sisters character, he’s definitely enjoying the buzz the show has generated. The cast and crew have created a massive WhatsApp group where they exchange updates and pictures, keeping the camaraderie alive long after the cameras have stopped rolling. For McDonnell, this sense of community and the excitement around the show’s success has been a huge highlight. "It's been great to be part of something so well-received," he says.
A TV Year to Remember
Owen McDonnell's 2024 is a testament to his versatility and his ability to dive into complex, challenging roles. From the icy cold killer in True Detective to the manipulative, dark-hearted Ian in Bad Sisters, McDonnell has truly showcased his talent for bringing compelling characters to life. But as much as he’s nailed the role of villain, it’s clear he’s ready for something new—something that doesn’t involve so many killers.
In the meantime, fans of Bad Sisters can catch the final episode of Season 2, titled Cliffhanger, and savor the rollercoaster ride that is the Garvey family’s chaotic, darkly comedic world. But whether Ian makes a return or not, one thing is for sure—McDonnell will keep giving us unforgettable performances, and we can’t wait to see what he does next.
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