Lorcan Cranitch

Lorcan Cranitch is an Irish actor. He became known for playing Jimmy Beck in the British series Cracker (1993-1995) and has had many roles in British television. More recently, he was seen in series 3 of the Northern Irish police drama series Blue Lights in November 2025.

Early life and education Born in Dublin, Lorcan Cranitch became involved in drama while a student. He attended secondary school at Terenure College.

In 1980 he moved to London, where he trained at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Career

Cranitch had a role on British television in a series eventually presented on Masterpiece Theater, Parnell and the Englishwoman, which marked his return to the BBC, in the role of Sean Dillon, a part specially written for him.

In 2001 he starred in the short-lived drama series McCready and Daughter, taking on a role originally intended for his former Ballykissangel co-star, Tony Doyle, who died shortly before the series was due to be filmed. Cranitch appeared in the American series, Rome,

Cranitch has appeared in several other British television dramas, including briefly as DI Littlejohn in the Sky Atlantic series Fortitude, and as Deacon Brodie (with Billy Connolly), Shackleton (as Frank Wild) with Kenneth Branagh, Omagh, Hornblower (with Ioan Gruffudd), The Street, Waking the Dead, Spooks, Silent Witness, and New Tricks.

Other work

Film

He has appeared in feature films, including Dancing at Lughnasa with Meryl Streep, as well as in The Playboys, and Titanic Town.

Stage

Cranitch has combined his on screen work with stage work, including with The Royal National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company, Donmar West End, The Abbey and The Gate Theatre in Dublin.

Personal life Cranitch married Susan Jackson, a journalist and newsreader with RTÉ. They adopted an Ethiopian child in 2010, but separated in 2016.

Filmography

Film

Television