Domhnall Gleeson has been generating considerable buzz lately, leading to some lighthearted comments about it being the “summer of Domhnall.” This phrase has gained traction online, much to Gleeson’s embarrassment, as he worries that people might think he takes it seriously. He is unsure of its origin, suspecting it might have come from his co-star Gayle Rankin during the filming of his latest movie, The Incomer. While he finds the idea amusing, he insists he’s not trying to promote it, although he’d welcome it as a headline.
When I meet Gleeson at a London hotel on a warm afternoon, he is in high spirits. He excels in interviews—he is witty, engaging, and possesses a charm that makes him an ideal guest on talk shows. While one might assume he is merely putting on a persona, he genuinely appears to be a down-to-earth individual with a pleasant demeanor.
The Incomer, a quirky Scottish comedy, is just one of three upcoming releases for Gleeson in the next few weeks. The other two projects include the second season of the U.S. Office spin-off, The Paper, and Werner Herzog’s latest film, Bucking Fastard, which is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival. More on these projects will follow, but first, we must discuss Gleeson’s unexpected highlight: his lead role in a Taylor Swift music video.
Directed by Swift herself, the music video for “Opalite” is a whimsically eccentric creation, born out of an amusing encounter on The Graham Norton Show last October. During the episode, fellow guest Cillian Murphy jokingly remarked that The Paper was worth watching for Gleeson’s dancing alone. Gleeson humorously responded, expressing his hope to appear in a Swift music video, thinking nothing would come of it. However, just two weeks later, he received an email that changed everything. Swift invited not only him but also all the other guests from the show—Murphy, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, Lewis Capaldi, and even Norton himself—to join the project. Gleeson reflects, “No one else in the world can come up with an idea like that and make it happen.”
In the video, Gleeson portrays a solitary man who experiences a transformation in his relationship with a cactus when he magically connects with Swift’s equally lonely character. The two share a joyful dance, both dressed in matching sparkly turquoise tracksuits.
Gleeson recalls the moment he learned about the dance: “They told me the day before, and I thought, are you joking?” When asked about his dancing skills, he admits, “No, I’m terrible at it!” He dedicated the night to practicing in front of a mirror. However, Swift’s encouraging direction helped him shine: “She told me to just go for it and enjoy the experience, regardless of the moves.” The first take after her advice was the one used in the final cut. “Believing in it and embracing the joy helped me perform,” he explains.
When questioned about attending Swift’s wedding, Gleeson hesitates and quips, “Can I plead the fifth?”
Despite his sociable nature, Gleeson is adept at maintaining his privacy. He prefers not to discuss his family life—he has been married to producer Juliette Bonass since 2023—and notably does not engage with social media. “I think it serves as a boundary that helps keep my personal life separate from the public eye,” he states.
In summary, Gleeson skillfully navigates a high-profile career while staying somewhat under the radar. Although his distinctive red hair and striking features make him hard to miss, he has a remarkable ability to adapt to various roles on screen. He has portrayed romantic leads, malevolent villains, real-life figures, and comedic characters across genres, from family films and period dramas to westerns and sci-fi. His age seems to be fluid; at 43, he appears little changed since his days as Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter series.
Moreover, his proficiency with accents might make one forget he is Irish. I first encountered Gleeson a decade ago on the set of Frank, an indie satire inspired by the unconventional musician Frank Sidebottom. He flawlessly maintained an English accent throughout the shoot, despite the frigid conditions in rural Ireland. He has learned through experience that accents can be tricky: “One day while filming Harry Potter, I accidentally slipped into an Australian accent and couldn’t switch back.” This skill has its drawbacks, as he notes, “You want to avoid phone calls with anyone from home during your work hours.”
In The Incomer, Gleeson takes on the challenge of a Scottish accent, which proves to be more demanding: “Going to Scotland and performing a Scottish accent in front of an all-Scottish crew is a different ballgame.” His role fits perfectly, as he plays an unwelcome visitor—an official from the mainland who arrives on a remote Scottish island to evict its only residents, a pair of reclusive siblings, portrayed by Rankin and Grant O’Rourke. Written and directed by Louis Paxton, the film is a delightful blend of surreal humor, local folklore, stunning landscapes, and heartwarming companionship, featuring plenty of seagulls—whether in pursuit, for dinner, or even mimicking them.
At its core, the film explores themes of isolation and acceptance, with Gleeson’s character mirroring the siblings’ loneliness as a socially awkward middle manager. Visually, he presents a rather pitiful figure, characterized by a nerdy wardrobe, timid demeanor, and disheveled hair. “I got a perm for the role,” he reveals. “People don’t often recognize the dedication of an actor. I lived with that perm for four or five months post-filming!” He aimed for a “comedic silhouette” with his appearance.
