Biography
Irish actor Shaun Paul McGrath was raised in the border town of Strabane, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland. He was brought up by his paternal grandparents, Mary and John, and later by his uncle. In his late teens, Shaun toured professionally as a comedy stage hypnotist, earning the title of Ireland's youngest stage hypnotist. He later attended university, studying Theatre.
Shaun left Ireland to pursue a postgraduate degree in Education and subsequently built an extended career as a high school drama teacher. He also established a successful theatre school business. After dedicating several years to his business and teaching, Shaun decided to return to his passion for acting. He re-emerged on screen, taking on the role of Benjamin Benner in The Widow's Moon, a strong psychological drama written and directed by award-winning German filmmaker Werner Schumann. The film, produced by Schumann Brothers in collaboration with The Global Genesis Group (Harold Goldstein, USA), featured Shaun in a role that seemed tailor-made for him as it showcased his ability to embody intense, multi-dimensional characters.
One of Shaun's most noteworthy performances was his portrayal of Martin in Andrew Greener's award-winning political drama, Endgame. The film, a Turner Classic production, was praised for its powerful narrative and unsettling ending. Wendy Ide, film critic for The Times, London, described it as, "an ambitious drama with a sucker punch of an ending. Powerful and unsettling stuff-a gritty interpretation of the Troubles in Northern Ireland."
Endgame was runner-up in a prestigious competition judged by an illustrious panel including Gurinder Chadha, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, Sir Julian Fellowes, and Dame Helen Mirren. It also won the Critics' Award at the Chicago International Film Festival, where Sir Julian Fellowes, Oscar-winning screenwriter, described it as, "a clear head-and-shoulders winner for me-well acted and captivating; my attention never strayed."
Katharine L. Collins (writer/director, BFI) praised Shaun's performance, saying, "Shaun is irrefutably magnetic and intensely enigmatic. His allure is so mesmerizing that you simply cannot take your eyes off him when he is on screen." Shaun's talent was further recognized with a Best Actor nomination by Shooting People in London. Risa Bramon Garcia, a casting director, Los Angeles, remarked, "Clearly talented." Werner Schumann, the director of The Widow's Moon, said, "Beautiful, talented, seductive! When I see his work, I want to make twenty films with him." Katharine L. Collins added, "Running the full gamut between quiet intensity and thunderous power, Shaun Paul McGrath is an actor of stunning versatility and range. His understanding of the art and craft of acting is superlative, and he can evoke more with one small look than many actors can with their entire range."
Shaun also played the antagonist alongside Warren Clarke and Anthony Head in the BBC drama series The Invisibles. He is currently in discussions regarding several upcoming projects and is attached to various international productions.
Shaun completed filming in Colombia with Emmy Award-winning show-runner and director Reshef Levi, Tomer Shani, for their new flagship TV series Carthago. Casting director Hannah Marie Williams spotted his talent and put Shaun in the line up for Carthago. His portrayal of Commander Archie McDonald has firmly established his presence on the international stage. Set in a World War II prison camp, the series features Shaun starring alongside Philip Glenister (Life on Mars), and plays a forceful second-in-command. Novelist and screenwriter Shrish Thorat commented, "Shaun dominated the screen."
Carthago premiered to critical acclaim, winning two awards at Canneseries including Best Cast Performance and Best Series.
"Breakwater" Feature. Playing the lead antagonist and love interest. Most Nominated film at 33rd Raindance Film Festival London 2025: 5 Nominations. Best British Feature,Best Debut Director, Best Performance, Best Director, Best Cinematography.
