Brian McCardie, the actor most famously starred in Line of Duty, passed away at 59.
Sarah McCardie, his sister, also an actress and director who acted in Irvine Welsh’s Crime on ITV, announced his untimely demise. In a heartbreaking post on X, she described his passing as much “too soon.” She said he was a beloved brother, uncle, son, and friend to so many.
During their heartfelt homage, Line of Duty producers Jed Mercurio and Simon Heath praised Brian for his exceptional acting skills.
Brian’s other famous roles were in Outlander and Blood of My Blood, where he played mafia lord John Thomas “Tommy” Hunter for the BBC. His most recent acting credits include Speed 2, co-starring Sandra Bullock, and the smash hit BBC prison drama Time.
Many of Sarah’s neighbors have expressed how they have been “totally gutted” by Brian’s passing after recalling seeing him visit her often.
Colleagues on Line of Duty said it was a privilege working with him and were shocked and saddened to learn of his passing. Beyond the screen, they praised Brian for being kind, humorous, and endearing.
Brian honed his acting chops from his childhood in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, to his latter years in Carluke, south-east of Glasgow.
After finishing elementary school at St. Brendan’s and St. Athanasius, he attended Motherwell’s Our Lady’s High School.
His love of performing began in high school when he was the lead in a stage performance of “Godspell” by a neighborhood theater company.
From his home in Scotland to other parts of the UK and even Hollywood, the experienced actor played several roles, including in the film Rob Roy, which starred Liam Neeson.
In addition to his appearances in Domina, Holby City, and The Bill, he played the role of brash investigator Dougie Gillman opposite James McAvoy in the film version of Filth, Irvine Welsh’s darkly comedic police thriller.
