Emmett J. Scanlan

Emmett John Scanlan (born 31 January 1979) is an Irish actor, known for playing villainous, bad boy characters. His credits include Hollyoaks (2011–2013), The Fall (2013–2014), Peaky Blinders (2013–2016), Breakdown, In The Flesh (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), The Tower (2021), Ten Percent (2022), Kin (2021–2023), Fool Me Once (2024), MobLand (2025), and How to Get to Heaven from Belfast (2026).

Early life Scanlan was born on 31 January 1979, in Dublin. His family are natives of Clontarf, Dublin.

Career He played the lovable rogue and bad boy Brendan Brady in Hollyoaks from 2010 to 2013, for which he was nominated and won many soap awards.

From 2013–2016, he starred alongside Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders, In 2021, he starred as Inspector Kieran Shaw in ITV's The Tower.

In 2022, Scanlan appeared as Marcus MacLeod in the British remake of Call My Agent!: Ten Percent. In July 2020, she gave birth to a boy. In October 2020, Cooper disclosed that she had suffered a miscarriage of their baby the previous year. On 12 November 2022, Cooper gave birth to their daughter. Scanlan also has a daughter born in September 2002 from a previous relationship.

For a period of time whilst filming Hollyoaks, Scanlan lived with friend and then-co star Joe Tracini. Tracini has credited Scanlan with helping him through his addiction issues, and addressed Scanlan's support during his 2026 comedy tour 10 Things I Hate About Me.

Scanlan is a vegan and supports PETA. He is a supporter of Manchester United.

Filmography Charlie Casanova Charlie Barnum

TV Choice Awards Best Soap Actor Hollyoaks Brendan Brady British Soap Awards Best Actor Hollyoaks Brendan Brady Inside Soap Awards Best Actor Hollyoaks Brendan Brady Inside Soap Awards Best Bad Boy Hollyoaks Brendan Brady (with Ste Hay) British Soap Awards Best Actor Hollyoaks Brendan Brady (with Ste Hay)

(*) means there were two main rounds of nominations for that category. Shortlisted means he made it to the second and final round of voting.