Scottish actor Brian McCardie, recognized for prominent roles in “Rob Roy” and the BBC’s “Line of Duty,” passed away unexpectedly at his residence on April 28, 2024. He was 59 years old.
His sibling, Sarah McCardie, shared the news on her social media, stating, “A wonderful and passionate actor on stage and screen, Brian loved his work and touched many lives, and is gone much too soon.”
McCardie was born on January 22, 1965 in Glasgow, Scotland, and developed a genuine interest in acting at a young age. After completing his schooling, he pursued acting professionally and made his debut in the British soap opera “EastEnders” in 1989. Since then, he has accumulated over 80 film and television credits.
He gained significant recognition in 1995 after he portrayed Alasdair MacGregor in “Rob Roy,” where he shared the screen with Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange. His performance in this role brought him much acclaim.
McCardie became a familiar face among television audiences through his portrayal of Tommy Hunter, a gang lord who becomes an informant, in the BBC series “Line of Duty.” His impactful performance in the series’ first two seasons from 2012 to 2014 garnered positive responses from critics and viewers.
McCardie also made his presence felt in the American television landscape through roles in “Shameless” and “Outlander,” where he played Sir Marcus MacRannoch. He was slated to appear in the forthcoming “Outlander” prequel, “Blood of My Blood.”
With a career spanning several decades, McCardie demonstrated his versatility by playing a wide array of characters, from villains to sympathetic roles. His portrayals of historical figures, such as Dave Mackay in “The Damned United” and Cicero in the Sky Atlantic series “Domina,” showcased his depth as an actor.
Besides television, McCardie had a rich filmography which included movies like “Speed 2: Cruise Control” (1997), “200 Cigarettes” (1999), and “Filth” (2013). His last film role was in the 2024 movie “Damaged,” where he starred alongside Samuel L. Jackson.
In addition to acting, McCardie was a writer and poet. He frequently performed his own poetry at various Irish venues and had plans to share them online. He had also penned a one-man play, “Connolly,” which was scheduled to run at the 2020 Edinburgh Festival but was canceled due to the pandemic.
Following the announcement of his death, tributes poured in from colleagues in the entertainment industry. The BBC referred to him as “an incredibly talented actor,” while his agency lauded him as “an actor of such great talent.”
In the wake of McCardie’s sudden demise, his family has requested privacy as they cope with their loss and plan his funeral arrangements.
