While you may recognize the actor from the new Game of Thrones spinoff, House of the Dragon, that is currently airing on HBO Max, Paddy Considine is a famous British actor that has been around for quite some time. Considine has appeared in numerous films and TV series that have all helped boost him to the top of all British actors.
One of Considine’s best roles, in fact, comes from a Stephen King adaptation of the horror thriller The Outsider, which was adapted into a miniseries in 2020. He also appeared in a crime-thriller in 2018 called Informer, which showed Considine’s ability to be both good and bad as a character. Considine’s most recent TV role is obviously in the aforementioned House of the Dragon series, where he plays the character of King Viserys Targaryen.
The actor has also had his hand in both directing and writing. The films Dead Man’s Shoes and Journeyman were both written by and starred Considine as the main actor. Journeyman was his triple threat as Considine also directed the film. His film genres have ranged from indie rom-com films like Submarine to dramas like In America. While the actor has nothing upcoming besides the rest of season one of House of the Dragon, fans can expect Considine to stick in the acting game for more years to come. Here are his best performances, ranked.
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7 In America
Hell's Kitchen Films
In America is an enchanting drama about an Irish immigrant family adjusting to their new life in Hell’s Kitchen. Not only are they in an entirely new country, but they are also dealing with the death of their five-year-old son. It was their son’s death that prompted the family to move illegally to the United States via Canada. Their goal location is New York in the hopes of Johnny (Considine) pursuing his acting career there. As the family struggles in their new lives, they meet new and interesting people who help the family learn about a new beginning in America. Told through the eyes of their two young daughters, the touching film shows America through the perspective of innocence. The three-time Oscar-nominated movie is guaranteed to make you cry.
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6 Informer
BBC One
Informer is one of the many TV series with which Considine has proven himself to be a top-tier actor. In this Prime Original series, Considine plays Gabe Waters, a Counter-Terrorism Officer who coerces a second-generation Pakistani man from East London into becoming an undercover informant for him. As Raza infiltrates the potential terrorist group, he finds his and his parents’ lives in danger. This BBC drama ran for only one season, but reviews of the show list it as one of the most impacting shows in terms of a driving plot and great acting by the entire cast. The fast-paced crime-thriller is a must-watch and features Considine in a bad-cop/good-cop role.
5 Journeyman
NBC
Journeyman is an important film for Considine as it features the star as the main actor, writer, and director. The 2017 sports drama places Considine in a boxing ring as boxer Matty Burton. The reigning Middleweight boxing champion is nearing the end of his career, and due to this, is having one last big fight that will secure his family enough money to be comfortable. After the fight, he collapses in his living room after having a delayed reaction to one of the blows to his head during the match. After waking from the coma it put him in, Matty has to piece together moments of his life and personality that were lost after the punch. For many viewers, this film secured Considine’s name as one of the most renowned British actors of his time.
4 Submarine
Optimum Releasing
Submarine shows a different side of Considine than what has been shown before. This time, we see a spiked-hair rockstar version of Considine named Graham Purvis. Graham is the ex-boyfriend of the main character Oliver’s mother, whose marriage with her current husband is rocky due to his depression. When the seductive ex-boyfriend Graham moves in next door, Oliver takes matters into his own hands to ensure his parents stay together. He does this while also trying to keep his “girlfriend” interested in him. The film is critically acclaimed across British Award circuits and brings on a unique performance from Considine.
3 Dead Man’s Shoes
Dead Man’s Shoes is a crime-thriller from the early 2000s that stars Considine as Richard, a former paratrooper in the British Army’s Parachute Regiment who returns to his hometown in Derbyshire with only revenge on his mind. His autistic brother was abused by a local gang a few years back. Thanks to his military training, his revenge is a bloody battle left with many causalities as the members of the gang find themselves being picked off one by one. The film is a low-budget British film that deserves more praise than has been previously given. The emotion and rage portrayed by Considine show him at the height of his acting. The film earned a lot of nominations in the British Independent Film Awards further showing itself as a cinematic masterpiece — at least in the independent film circuit.
2 The Outsider
HBO
The Outsider is a Stephen King novel that was adapted into a limited series that aired on HBO Max in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. Its popularity made the series one of the more successful adaptations of King’s, at least in the idea that it was a faithful adaptation of the novel. Considine’s character is more of a tough guy as he is an ex-con and recovering addict. His role in the series starts with him as a witness in the Maitland (Jason Bateman) Case where the little leaguer coach is accused of killing a young boy. Considine’s character Claude Bolton works at a local bar and strip club where Maitland is seen hours after allegedly killing the boy. The interaction between Maitland and Claude brings him into the fold as he begins to feel less like himself. You find out that he had a cut on his hand, which allowed the “boogeyman” that was portraying Maitland to morph into a version of Claude in order to stay alive.
1 House of the Dragon
Perhaps it is because House of the Dragon is airing now or because his character is so iconic, it’s hard not to put his portrayal of King Viserys at the top of Considine’s best performances. As you have already seen, Considine is no stranger to TV roles. Whether his character is the main or a supporting role, his scenes are memorable and his characters believable. From what viewers have seen so far with House of the Dragon, King Viserys is both caring and mostly respected as a King. It’s not hard to feel for all the responsibilities and duties King Viserys has to go through, even if that means losing his daughter’s love in some ways. While we don’t know for sure what is left for King Viserys over the course of the rest of the season, fans have certainly enjoyed Considine’s performance.
