Kieran O'Brien

Kieran O'Brien, a product of Royton's provincial environs and Bishop Henshaw High School, cut his acting teeth early, starring in BBC's "Gruey" at 15. Television roles in "Coronation Street" and "Children's Ward" preceded his breakout as Mark in "Cracker," opposite Robbie Coltrane. His 1999 film debut in "Virtual Sexuality" was overshadowed by Michael Winterbottom's 2002 "24 Hour Party People" and the 2004 provocation "9 Songs," featuring explicit sex scenes. O'Brien's most controversial role marked him as the sole British actor to ejaculate on screen in a major UK production. Since then, collaborations with Winterbottom continued in "A Cock and Bull Story" and "The Look of Love," while TV appearances in "Holby Blue" and "The Syndicate" kept him in the public eye.