Josh Finan: Biography, Career Highlights, and Upcoming Drama

There’s something about watching a supporting actor steal a scene that makes you want to know their name. For Josh Finan, that moment came in 2022 when he walked into the gritty world of The Responder as DC Barry and walked out with a BAFTA nomination, and now he’s preparing for his first lead role in the BBC prison drama Waiting for the Out.

Breakout Role: The Responder (2022) ·
BAFTA Nomination: Best Supporting Actor (2023) ·
Upcoming Lead Drama: Waiting for the Out (2026) ·
Notable Collaborator: Martin Freeman ·
Training School: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

Six key facts, one pattern: each milestone builds on the last, from theatre school to a BAFTA nod and a leading role in a major BBC drama.

Who is Josh Finan? Background and Training

Josh Finan was born and raised in Liverpool, England, and trained at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, a institution that has produced actors like Olivia Colman and Daniel Day-Lewis. His early career was rooted in theatre, where he honed his craft before transitioning to screen.

Where did Josh Finan study acting?

• Graduated from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s FDA Professional Acting programme (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School)
• Institutional training provided a foundation in classical and contemporary theatre.

What was Josh Finan’s first role?

• His first credited screen role was in The Current War (2017), a historical drama about the rivalry between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse (IMDb).
• He later appeared in Hellboy (2019) as an additional character (IMDb).

The implication: Finan’s theatre background gives him a depth that screen roles often lack — a quality that critics and casting directors have begun to reward.

What is Josh Finan’s most famous work?

Finan’s breakout role is DC Barry in the BBC drama The Responder (2022–2024), a gritty police series set in Liverpool. The role earned him a BAFTA TV Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2023, placing him on the radar of the UK television industry.

What role is Josh Finan best known for?

• He played DC Barry, a junior officer in a crisis intervention team, in The Responder (BAFTA).
• The series was created by Tony Schumacher and starred Martin Freeman as the lead.

Which show earned him a BAFTA nomination?

• Finan was nominated for the BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Responder in 2023 (BAFTA).
• The show itself received six BAFTA nominations, making it one of the most nominated titles of the year (The Hollywood Reporter).

The pattern: small supporting roles built the credibility, but the BAFTA nod turned him into a name that casting directors now call first.

What other dramas is Josh Finan in?

Finan’s filmography includes a mix of film and television, with notable appearances in Hellboy (2019), The Current War (2017), and the television series The Gentlemen (2024) and Say Nothing (2024).

Has Josh Finan been in Hellboy?

• Yes, Finan appeared in the 2019 reboot Hellboy directed by Neil Marshall (IMDb).
• His role was a supporting character, adding to his early career credits.

What was his role in The Current War?

• In The Current War (2017), Finan played a minor role in the period drama about the electricity competition between Edison and Westinghouse (IMDb).

He also appeared in The Gentlemen (Netflix, 2024) and Baby Reindeer (Netflix, 2024) according to his agency profile (Screen Daily). A rumored role in Black Mirror has not been officially confirmed.

The trade-off: more screen time means more visibility, but also more scrutiny. Finan’s choice of roles — from horror to historical drama to streaming thrillers — shows a deliberate strategy to avoid typecasting.

What new drama with Josh Finan is upcoming?

The most anticipated project is Waiting for the Out, a BBC prison drama set to air in 2026. Finan plays the lead role of Dan, a philosopher who teaches a class for incarcerated men.

When does Waiting for the Out release?

• The drama premiered on BBC One at 9:30 PM and was available to stream on BBC iPlayer the same night in January 2026 (Metro).
• It was described as a “sensational new prison drama” by Metro.

Who stars alongside Josh Finan in the new drama?

• Martin Freeman co-stars, reuniting with Finan after The Responder (Metro).
• The series is produced by BBC Studios and is expected to be a major awards contender.

The stake: for UK viewers, this is a chance to see a rising star carry a whole series. For Finan, it’s the moment that will define whether he remains a “supporting actor” or becomes a leading man.

Has Josh Finan been in Baby Reindeer or other recent hits?

Yes, Finan has been linked to Baby Reindeer (Netflix, 2024) according to his agency profile, although his role in that series is not widely detailed. He also appeared in The Gentlemen (Netflix, 2024), a series based on Guy Ritchie’s film.

Is Josh Finan in Baby Reindeer?

• Screen Daily lists Baby Reindeer among his notable television credits (Screen Daily).
• No specific character details are publicly available.

Which Netflix series was he in?

• Finan is part of the ensemble cast of The Gentlemen (Netflix, 2024) (Screen Daily).
• He was not cast in The Crown or similar major Netflix dramas as of 2026.

The trade-off: streaming exposure widens his audience, but without clear source confirmation, fans may struggle to find his actual performances.

Who is Josh Finan’s wife?

Josh Finan has not publicly confirmed a marriage or spouse. His personal life remains private, and he has no verified social media accounts as of 2026.

Is Josh Finan married?

• No public records or statements confirm a marriage (Metro).
• He has not spoken about a partner in interviews.

Does Josh Finan have children?

• No information is available about children.

The implication: in an industry that often demands personal transparency, Finan’s privacy is a form of boundary-setting that may help him maintain focus on his craft.

What is Josh Finan’s connection to Gerry Adams?

Finan portrayed Gerry Adams, the former leader of Sinn Féin, in the FX limited series Say Nothing (2024), which explores the Troubles in Northern Ireland. His performance was noted for its nuance and accuracy.

Did Josh Finan play Gerry Adams?

• Yes, Finan played Gerry Adams in Say Nothing, a series based on Patrick Radden Keefe’s book (Screen Daily).
• The show covers the disappearance of Jean McConville and the IRA’s activities.

What is the TV show Say Nothing about?

• Say Nothing is a historical drama that delves into the complexities of the Northern Ireland conflict (Screen Daily).
• Finan’s portrayal of the young Gerry Adams was praised for its understated intensity.

The pattern: Finan is drawn to roles that carry moral weight — police officers, political leaders, prison philosophers. These choices suggest an actor who wants to challenge himself, not just collect paychecks.

Josh Finan’s career is at a tipping point. The BAFTA nomination gave him industry credibility; Say Nothing showed his range; and Waiting for the Out will test whether he can carry a series on his own. For UK viewers, the choice is clear: watch him now, or catch up later when he’s a household name.