Aran Murphy is an Irish actor best known for starring in HBO’s comedy Youth and for appearing in the HBO drama War and Taika Waititi’s film Klara and the Sun. Born on July 12, 2007, in London, the 19-year-old is the younger son of Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy and visual artist Yvonne McGuinness. He had three projects land within about five weeks this autumn, and a viral red carpet appearance at the UK screening of Youth, where fans said he looks and sounds just like his father, turned him into one of 2026’s most talked-about young actors.
Aran Murphy Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Aran Murphy |
| Birth Date | July 12, 2007 |
| Age | 19 Years Old (2026) |
| Birth Place | London, England |
| Raised In | London, then Ireland (from 2015) |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Father’s Name | Cillian Murphy |
| Mother’s Name | Yvonne McGuinness |
| Brother’s Name | Malachy Murphy (older) |
| Profession | Actor |
| Known For | Youth, War, Klara and the Sun |
| Years Active | 2018 to Present |
| Education | Completed the Leaving Certificate in 2025 |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Relationship Status | Not publicly shared |
| Net Worth | Not publicly reported |
Why Is Aran Murphy Trending in 2026?
Because of timing. Youth premiered on HBO and HBO Max on September 20, War arrived on HBO on October 1 (and on Sky on October 2), and Klara and the Sun opened in cinemas on October 23. On top of that, his first red carpet appearance, at the UK screening of Youth at BAFTA in London on September 11, went viral after fans noticed his resemblance to Cillian Murphy in his looks, his Irish lilt, and his thoughtful pauses before speaking.
Aran Murphy Early Life
Aran was born in London on July 12, 2007, and raised there until 2015, when the family moved to Ireland. His father has joked that he sold the move to Dublin to his sons with the promise of getting them a dog. Aran grew up in a very private household, and he and his brother have rarely been shown in public until recently.
He caught the acting bug early. Cillian has said in interviews that Aran showed promise as an actor, and he told The Guardian that he admired his son’s approach to the craft. Aran has also said he’s sought guidance from his father but wants to build his career in his own way.
Aran Murphy Family
Aran’s parents are Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness, who met in the 1990s while Cillian was working on the play Disco Pigs and married in 2004. His older brother, Malachy, was born in 2005 and has stayed out of the spotlight. Cillian has thanked both sons in his speeches, including at the 2024 BAFTAs, where he called Yvonne, Malachy, and Aran his best friends, and at the Oscars, where he won Best Actor for Oppenheimer.
The family is known for guarding its privacy, and Cillian doesn’t allow photos with fans. Aran appeared with his parents at the 2024 Golden Globes and the Oscars, which were among his first public appearances.
Aran Murphy Education
Aran attended school in Ireland and completed the Leaving Certificate, the country’s final secondary school exams, in 2025. He has said that his early acting jobs arrived while he was finishing school, and that he was unsure what would come next. He was considering college when the roles in War and Youth came in close together.
Aran Murphy Career
Stage Beginnings (2018)
Aran’s first professional acting job came on stage. At the age of 11, he played the title role in a stage adaptation of Hamnet by the Irish theater company Dead Centre, which follows Shakespeare’s young son. The production toured internationally, with performances in Dublin, London, New York, Brisbane, and Hong Kong, which gave him an unusual amount of experience before he was a teenager.
First Film Roles (2022 to 2024)
His first screen role came in 2022 with the independent found-footage science fiction film Lola, in which he played Leo. In early 2024, at the age of 16, he traveled to New Zealand to shoot Klara and the Sun, which Deadline had announced on February 7, 2024, when it reported that he and Mia Tharia had joined Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams in the cast. He has described that shoot as a big learning experience on a larger set.
War (2025 to 2026)
In October 2025, when he was 17, his agency announced that he had been cast as Gabriel in the HBO and Sky legal drama War, created by George Kay of Lupin and Hijack. The show stars Dominic West as tech billionaire Morgan Henderson and Sienna Miller as film star Carla Duval, and Aran plays Carla’s son, a teenager caught up in his parents’ very public divorce. It is reportedly a smaller role, and he landed it soon after completing his Leaving Certificate.
Youth and His First Lead Role (2026)
His biggest television role is Ruarí in Youth, a comedy-drama from Sharon Horgan that premiered on September 20, 2026. Horgan plays Alex, a 50-year-old divorcee who is sending her teenage son to university while looking for love and caring for her elderly parents. Aran plays the 18-year-old son, with Rupert Friend, Sharlene Whyte, and Robbie Gee in the cast. He has said that he drew on his own recent experience of finishing school and not knowing what’s next, and that he shared videos from his friends’ social media feeds with the director to make the teenage side of the story feel real.
Klara and the Sun (October 2026)
The film adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, directed by Taika Waititi, arrived on October 23, 2026. Aran plays Rick, the best friend and neighbor of Josie (Mia Tharia), in a cast that includes Jenna Ortega as the android Klara and Amy Adams. The Irish Times described it as his first lead role in a feature film. Critics have been largely negative about the film, though that hasn’t dimmed attention on its young cast.
Aran Murphy Movies and TV Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Hamnet (stage) | Hamnet | Title role, Dead Centre theater production |
| 2022 | Lola | Leo | Independent film |
| 2026 | Youth | Ruarí | Lead role, HBO |
| 2026 | War | Gabriel | HBO and Sky |
| 2026 | Klara and the Sun | Rick | Film, directed by Taika Waititi |
Aran Murphy and the Comparisons to Cillian Murphy
Almost every interview about Aran circles back to his father. After his BAFTA appearance, social media filled with videos pointing out similarities in his face, voice, and mannerisms, with one viral comment saying he was a copy and paste of his dad. Aran has said he’s grateful for the advice his father gives him but that he’s focused on making his own name, and he has reportedly said that sharing the screen with Cillian isn’t something he’s planning right now. Fans have also joked that he and his father share the same quiet manner.
Aran Murphy Personal Life
Aran keeps his personal life private. He hasn’t publicly shared anything about a relationship, and given his age, he mostly talks about his work, his family, and what he’s learning. He lives in Ireland, where he grew up.
Aran Murphy Net Worth
Aran Murphy’s net worth has not been publicly reported, and no popular net worth site lists a reliable figure. He is at the very start of his career, and a few websites that list estimates have confused him with other people with similar names, so treat any figure you see with caution. His father’s net worth is a separate matter.
Aran Murphy Social Media
| Platform | Status |
|---|---|
| No verified official account found | |
| TikTok | No verified official account found |
10 Interesting Facts About Aran Murphy
- He was born in London but moved to Ireland with his family when he was around eight.
- His father promised him and his brother a dog to make the move to Dublin easier.
- At 11, he played the title role in the stage show Hamnet, which toured internationally.
- He performed in Dublin, London, New York, Brisbane, and Hong Kong before his teenage years were over.
- His first screen role was in the found-footage film Lola in 2022.
- He traveled to New Zealand at 16 to film Klara and the Sun.
- He completed Ireland’s Leaving Certificate in 2025 and was considering college when his roles came in.
- He made his red carpet debut at the UK screening of Youth in London on September 11, 2026.
- Three of his projects, Youth, War, and Klara and the Sun, came out within about five weeks.
- His father thanked him in both his BAFTA and Oscar speeches in 2024.
Aran Murphy Recent News
The latest news is Klara and the Sun’s October 23 release, which follows Youth and War. His red carpet debut, his first interviews with Variety, GQ, and Deadline, and the general fascination with his resemblance to his father have all made October his busiest month in the spotlight so far. No new projects have been officially announced yet.
Aran Murphy FAQs
How old is Aran Murphy?
He was born on July 12, 2007, so he is 19 in 2026.
Who are Aran Murphy’s parents?
Actor Cillian Murphy and visual artist Yvonne McGuinness.
What is Aran Murphy known for?
Playing Ruarí in HBO’s Youth, Gabriel in War, and Rick in Klara and the Sun.
Does Aran Murphy have a brother?
Yes, an older brother named Malachy, who is not an actor.
Is Aran Murphy in Klara and the Sun?
Yes, he plays Rick, Josie’s best friend.
When did Youth premiere?
September 20, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max.
Does Aran Murphy look like his father?
Many fans say so, especially after his BAFTA red carpet appearance.
