Paddy Considine

Last updated on the 3 April 2025 by Evandrus

Mini Biography

Born: 5 September 1973, Winshill, Staffordshire, England. 

Paddy Considine grew up in a council estate in Winshill, a village within Burton, alongside his brother and four sisters. His father, Martin Joseph Considine, was of Irish descent. Considine’s upbringing in a working-class environment significantly influenced his artistic sensibilities and his ability to portray authentic, relatable characters on screen.

Considine attended Abbot Beyne Senior School and later Burton College, where he pursued a National Diploma in Performing Arts. It was at Burton College that he met Shane Meadows, a future collaborator and friend. In 1994, Paddy moved to the University of Brighton to study photography under the guidance of social documentarian Paul Reas. His time at Brighton was marked by a blend of artistic exploration and personal growth, culminating in a degree in photography.

Paddy Considine’s career began with a bang when he starred in Shane Meadows’ film “A Room for Romeo Brass” (1999), playing the disturbed character Morell. This role marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration with Meadows, leading to other notable projects such as “Dead Man’s Shoes” (2004), where Considine co-wrote the script and delivered a powerful performance as Richard, a vengeful brother.

Considine’s career is marked by a series of memorable roles in both independent films and mainstream cinema. He starred in “In America” (2002), “My Summer of Love” (2004), and “Cinderella Man” (2005).

In addition to acting, Considine has ventured into directing and screenwriting. His directorial debut, “Dog Altogether” (2007), won a BAFTA Award for Best Short Film, and its feature-length adaptation, “Tyrannosaur” (2011), earned him a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer.

On television, Considine has appeared in various series, including “Peaky Blinders” (2016), “The Outsider” (2020) and most notably, “House of the Dragon” (2022-2024), where he played King Viserys I Targaryen. His stage work has also been recognised, with Olivier and Tony Award nominations for his performances in “The Ferryman”.

He married Shelley Insley in 2002 and the couple have three children. Despite his success, Considine has chosen to remain in Burton upon Trent, valuing a quiet life close to his family. His wife played a crucial role in helping him discover that he had Irlen Syndrome, a condition that affects visual processing. This diagnosis, along with his earlier diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome, has shaped his personal and professional life.

Suggested viewing

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (2011)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.7

“The Suspicions of Mr Whicher” is a television series based on the book of the same name by Kate Summerscale. The first episode follows the real-life case of Detective Inspector Jonathan Whicher as he investigates the shocking murder of a three-year-old boy in a country house, uncovering a complex web of family secrets and scandalous revelations.

Top cast: Paddy Considine, Peter Capaldi, Tom Georgeson, William Beck, Emma Fielding, Tim Pigott-Smith, Kate O’Flynn, Donald Sumpter, Ben Miles.

House of the Dragon (2022)

Bftv 9.0  / IMDb 8.5

At the height of their power, the Targaryen dynasty controls an impressive fleet of over 15 dragons, but their downfall commences when King Viserys breaks tradition by naming his daughter Rhaenyra as his heir. The situation worsens when Viserys fathers a son, causing division and tension within the realm as Rhaenyra maintains her claim to the Iron Throne.

Top cast: Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Rhys Ifans, Graham McTavish, Jefferson Hall, Fabien Frankel, Bill Paterson.

The Third Day (2020)

Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.4

“The Third Day” is a thrilling limited series that unfolds over three distinct chapters, “Summer,” “Autumn,” and “Winter,” as a man named Sam finds himself drawn into a mysterious and disturbing community on a remote British island, where reality and fantasy intertwine, leading to a journey of self-discovery and dark secrets.

Top cast: Jude Law, Katherine Waterston, Freya Allan, John Dagleish, Mark Lewis Jones, Börje Lundberg, Paddy Considine, Emily Watson, Joe Blakemore.

Pride (2014)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.8

“Pride” is a heartwarming film based on a true story, set in 1984, where a group of lesbian and gay activists forms an unexpected alliance with a mining community during the UK miners’ strike, leading to a powerful and inspiring tale of solidarity, acceptance and the fight for equality.

Top cast: George Mackay, Ben Schnetzer, Freddie Fox, Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West, Paddy Considine, Andrew Scott, Joseph Gilgun.

Dead Man’s Shoes (2004)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.6

“Dead Man’s Shoes” is a thriller directed by Shane Meadows. The story follows Richard, a soldier returning home to seek revenge on a gang of drug dealers who tormented his mentally disabled brother. Packed with tension and moral dilemmas, it explores themes of vengeance, loyalty and the consequences of violence.

Top cast: Paddy Considine, Gary Stretch, Toby Kebbell, Jo Hartley, Seamus O’Neill, Stuart Wolfenden, Paul Sadot, Craig Considine.

Full filmography @ Wikipedia