Sneha Girap (Editor)

Brendan Cowell

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Name
  
Brendan Cowell

Role
  
Actor


Brendan Cowell Miss Julie Brendan Cowell by Gary Heery low res

Born
  
16 August 1976 (age 47) (
1976-08-16
)

Movies and TV shows
  
Parents
  
Yvonne Cowell, Bruce Cowell

Siblings
  
Jacqui Cowell, Belinda Cowell

Books
  
Ruben Guthrie, How It Feels, Rabbit, Morph

Similar People
  
Jeremy Sims, Rose Byrne, Anthony Hayes, Claudia Karvan, Matthew Saville

Ruben Guthrie Interview: Part 1 - Patrick Brammall & Brendan Cowell


Brendan Cowell (born 16 August 1976) is an Australian actor, screenwriter, comedian and director. Cowell was born in Sydney. He stumbled upon acting by accident while waiting for his sister to come out of a rehearsal; he was then cast in a commercial at age 8. He went to Charles Sturt University, in Bathurst, to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre/Media, originally considering journalism as a career option.

Contents

Brendan Cowell unitedmanagementnetauassetsBrendanCowell3139

Cowell won the Patrick White Playwrights' Award for his third play Bed along with a collection of other awards. His play Ruben Guthrie showed at the Belvoir St Theatre in 2009 to sell-out houses. It has a new production at La Boite Theatre in 2011, starring Gyton Grantley and directed by David Berthold. His most famous acting role is playing the enigmatic Tom on Australian cable TV's Love My Way, for which he also wrote several episodes, and playing Todd for the first two seasons on Life Support on SBS TV, for which he also wrote sketches.

Brendan Cowell Brendan Cowell united management

His most recent foray into film have included roles in the 2007 crime drama Noise, World War 1 war film Beneath Hill 60 and romantic comedy I Love You Too. He won some acclaim for his portrayal of the title role in Bell Shakespeare's 2008 Production of Hamlet and acted in Sydney Theatre Company's production of True West, directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman, in 2010. Brendan lives in Newtown, New South Wales Sydney and is a committed supporter of the Cronulla Sharks rugby league team.

Brendan Cowell Brendan Cowell interview Jo Litson Scene and Heard

In 2010 he published his first novel How it Feels.

Brendan Cowell Brendan Cowell Why don39t we discuss why they left ABC

In 2017 he starred as Galileo Galilei in the Young Vic's production of Bertholt Brecht's Life of Galileo.

Brendan Cowell Brendan Cowell Pictures quotBeneath Hill 60quot World Premiere

Also in 2017, Cowell joined the cast of the HBO series Game of Thrones in Season 7 as Harrag, an Ironborn sea captain allied to Theon Greyjoy.

Art afterhours actor brendan cowell on creating characters


Personal life

Brendan was born to parents Yvonne and Bruce 'Bruiser' Cowell. He has two older sisters, Belinda and Jacqui (who was part of pop group Girlfriend). Was a self-confessed loner at primary school, which he said was due to his reading poems out at assembly and making up little plays and forcing people to watch them. He dated Rose Byrne for six years until they amicably parted ways in early 2010.

Brendan was criticised by media and political figures for perceived political opportunism for participating in a video condemning Prime Minister Tony Abbott for not doing enough to secure the lives of convicted drug smugglers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran in the days before their execution. In the video Brendan made personal attacks on the Prime Minister in a close up to camera, “Tony, if you had any courage and compassion you'd go to Indonesia and bring these boys home. Show some balls." He later apologised on Twitter and closed his Twitter account.

Filmography

Actor
2025
Plum (TV Mini Series) (filming) as
Peter Lum
- Episode #1.6 (2025) - Peter Lum
- Episode #1.5 (2025) - Peter Lum
- Episode #1.4 (2025) - Peter Lum
- Episode #1.3 (2025) - Peter Lum
- Episode #1.2 (2025) - Peter Lum
- Episode #1.1 (2025) - Peter Lum
2023
The Castaways (TV Series) as
Mike Brass
- Episode #1.5 (2023) - Mike Brass
- Episode #1.4 (2023) - Mike Brass
- Episode #1.3 (2023) - Mike Brass
- Episode #1.2 (2023) - Mike Brass
- Episode #1.1 (2023) - Mike Brass
2023
Police Rescue Australia (TV Series) as
Narrator
2023
National Theatre Live: The Crucible as
John Proctor
2022
Avatar: The Way of Water as
Scoresby
2022
The Twelve (TV Mini Series) as
Garry Thorne
- Episode #1.10 (2022) - Garry Thorne
- Episode #1.9 (2022) - Garry Thorne
- Episode #1.8 (2022) - Garry Thorne
- Episode #1.7 (2022) - Garry Thorne
- Episode #1.6 (2022) - Garry Thorne
- Episode #1.5 (2022) - Garry Thorne
- Episode #1.4 (2022) - Garry Thorne
- Episode #1.3 (2022) - Garry Thorne
- Episode #1.2 (2022) - Garry Thorne
- Episode #1.1 (2022) - Garry Thorne
2020
The End (TV Series) as
Christopher Brennan
- Picking Scabs (2020) - Christopher Brennan
- Blood Sandwich (2020) - Christopher Brennan
- Polar Bear (2020) - Christopher Brennan
- Do Not Resuscitate (2020) - Christopher Brennan
2017
The Letdown (TV Series) as
Harry
- Rat Park (2019) - Harry
- Matresence (2017) - Harry
- Genealogy (2017) - Harry
2018
Press (TV Mini Series) as
Peter Langly
- Resonance (2018) - Peter Langly
- Two Worlds (2018) - Peter Langly
- Magic (2018) - Peter Langly
- Don't Take My Heart, Don't Break My Heart (2018) - Peter Langly
- Pure (2018) - Peter Langly
- Death Knock (2018) - Peter Langly
2017
The Current War as
Confederate Soldier
2017
National Theatre Live: Yerma (TV Movie) as
John
2017
Game of Thrones (TV Series) as
Harrag
- The Dragon and the Wolf (2017) - Harrag
- The Spoils of War (2017) - Harrag
- The Queen's Justice (2017) - Harrag
2016
Brock (TV Mini Series) as
Allan Moffat
- Episode #1.2 (2016) - Allan Moffat
- Episode #1.1 (2016) - Allan Moffat
2016
Comedy Showroom: The Letdown (TV Movie) as
Harry
2016
Broke as
Dirk
2014
Black Comedy (TV Series) as
Guest Cast
- Episode #2.6 (2016) - Guest Cast
- Episode #1.5 (2014) - Guest Cast
- Episode #1.3 (2014) - Guest Cast
- Episode #1.2 (2014) - Guest Cast
2015
Black Chook (Short) as
Jim Bloke
2015
Observance as
Employer
2015
Last Cab to Darwin as
Publican
2014
Soul Mates (TV Series) as
Harry Cunston
- Self Destruction (2014) - Harry Cunston
2014
Wastelander Panda (TV Series) as
Isaac
- Double Cross (2014) - Isaac (voice)
- Sacrifice (2014) - Isaac (voice)
- A Rose Amongst Thorns (2014) - Isaac (voice)
- Pursuit (2014) - Isaac (voice)
- The Deal (2014) - Isaac (voice)
- On One's Knees (2014) - Isaac (voice)
2013
The Outlaw Michael Howe (TV Movie) as
British soldier (uncredited)
2013
The Darkside
2013
The Borgias (TV Series) as
Mattai the Hebrew
- The Gunpowder Plot (2013) - Mattai the Hebrew
- Tears of Blood (2013) - Mattai the Hebrew
- Lucrezia's Gambit (2013) - Mattai the Hebrew
- Relics (2013) - Mattai the Hebrew
- The Wolf and the Lamb (2013) - Mattai the Hebrew
2013
A Thousand Words (Short) as
James
2012
I Missed My Mother's Funeral (Short) as
Young Man
2012
Howzat! Kerry Packer's War (TV Mini Series) as
Rodney Marsh
- Episode #1.2 (2012) - Rodney Marsh
- Episode #1.1 (2012) - Rodney Marsh
2012
Save Your Legs! as
Rick
2011
The Slap (TV Mini Series) as
Craig
- Richie (2011) - Craig
2011
Underbelly Files: The Man Who Got Away (TV Movie) as
Benny O'Connell
2010
Bee Sting (Short) as
Tom Stanners
2010
Rush (TV Series) as
Blake Fincher
- Cooked (2010) - Blake Fincher
2010
I Love You Too as
Jim
2010
Beneath Hill 60 as
Oliver Woodward
2008
Ten Empty as
Shane Hackett
2008
Three Blind Mice as
Glenn
2007
Noise as
Constable Graham McGahan
2004
Love My Way (TV Series) as
Tom Jackson
- Running with Crabs (2007) - Tom Jackson
- And in the End (2007) - Tom Jackson
- The Cemetery Gates (2007) - Tom Jackson
- Cars Without Brakes (2007) - Tom Jackson
- Together Apart (2007) - Tom Jackson
- Say What You Mean (2007) - Tom Jackson
- Cold Blooded Creatures (2007) - Tom Jackson
- I'm the King of the Castle (2007) - Tom Jackson
- You're Almost There (2006) - Tom Jackson
- Five Minutes of Fame (2006) - Tom Jackson
- One Big Happy (2006) - Tom Jackson
- Amphibians (2006) - Tom Jackson
- Crossing the Line (2006) - Tom Jackson
- Tower of Love (2006) - Tom Jackson
- I Know You (2006) - Tom Jackson
- Old Wounds (2006) - Tom Jackson
- No Immunity (2006) - Tom Jackson
- When Wanting Works (2006) - Tom Jackson
- The Christmas Thing (2006) - Tom Jackson
- More to Tell (2006) - Tom Jackson
- Garden of Love (2005) - Tom Jackson
- Only Mortal (2005) - Tom Jackson
- A Different Planet (2005) - Tom Jackson
- My Family Up a Tree (2005) - Tom Jackson
- To Dance with Death (2004) - Tom Jackson
- Stick Sisters (2004) - Tom Jackson
- Spin Cycle (2004) - Tom Jackson
- Crazy Love (2004) - Tom Jackson
- What's in a Name? (2004) - Tom Jackson
- Don't Tell Me Your Dreams (2004) - Tom Jackson
2006
Suburban Mayhem as
Voice of Interviewer (voice)
2005
Deck Dogz as
Kurt
2004
Floodhouse as
Herringbone John
2004
Salem's Lot (TV Mini Series) as
Dud Rogers
- Episode #1.2 (2004) - Dud Rogers (credit only)
- Episode #1.1 (2004) - Dud Rogers
2003
Fat Cow Motel (TV Mini Series) as
Jack Green
2003
Clutch (Short) as
Brian
2002
White Collar Blue (TV Series) as
Daniel Hudson
- Episode #1.14 (2002) - Daniel Hudson
2001
Life Support (TV Series) as
Todd
2002
Young Lions (TV Mini Series) as
Jason Doone
- Episode #1.4 (2002) - Jason Doone
- Lick Me Baby (2002) - Jason Doone
2001
To End All Wars as
Wallace Hamilton
2001
Water Rats (TV Series) as
Jonathan Freeman
- Family Matters (2001) - Jonathan Freeman
2000
The Monkey's Mask as
Hayden
2000
City Loop as
Robert
1999
Monster! (TV Movie) as
Nate
1999
Kick as
Macca
Writer
2025
Plum (TV Mini Series) (created by - 1 episode) (filming)
- Episode #1.1 (2025) - (creator)
2015
Ruben Guthrie (play) / (screenplay)
2013
The Outlaw Michael Howe (TV Movie) (written by)
2012
Save Your Legs! (written by)
-
The Slap (TV Mini Series) (written by - 1 episode, 2011) (screenplay - 1 episode, 2011)
- Richie (2011) - (written by)
- Harry (2011) - (screenplay)
2009
My Place (TV Series) (written by - 1 episode)
- 1998 Mohammad (2009) - (written by)
2008
Ten Empty (written by)
2004
Love My Way (TV Series) (written by - 8 episodes)
- And in the End (2007) - (written by)
- The Cemetery Gates (2007) - (written by)
- I'm the King of the Castle (2007) - (written by)
- Amphibians (2006) - (written by)
- Tower of Love (2006) - (written by)
- I Know You (2006) - (written by)
- My Family Up a Tree (2005) - (written by)
- Spin Cycle (2004) - (written by)
2007
Dangerous (TV Mini Series)
2005
Europe (Short) (written by)
2002
Baggage Claim (Short) (written by)
2002
Free (Short) (written by)
2002
I Love U (Short) (written by)
2002
Running Down These Dreams (Short) (written by)
2002
Sweet Dreams (Short) (written by)
2002
Wasted on the Young (Short) (written by)
2002
Chrono-logic (Short) (written by)
2002
The Doppelgangers (Short) (written by)
2001
Life Support (TV Series) (4 episodes)
- Episode #2.8 (2002)
- Episode #2.6 (2002)
- Episode #1.6 (2001)
- Episode #1.4 (2001)
Producer
2025
Plum (TV Mini Series) (executive producer - 1 episode) (filming)
- Episode #1.1 (2025) - (executive producer)
2015
Ruben Guthrie (executive producer)
2008
Ten Empty (co-producer)
2002
New Skin (executive producer)
Director
2015
Ruben Guthrie
2013
The Outlaw Michael Howe (TV Movie)
2005
Europe (Short)
Camera Department
2009
Overflowing: The Making of 'Ten Empty' (Video documentary short) (additional camera)
Soundtrack
2012
Save Your Legs! (performer: "Dreadlock Holiday")
Self
-
Otto by Otto (Documentary) (post-production) as
Self
2023
Inside Pandora's Box (TV Series documentary) as
Self
2020
The Test: A New Era for Australia's Team (TV Series documentary) as
Narrator
- A New Legacy (2020) - Narrator
- Under Siege (2020) - Narrator
- Fearless (2020) - Narrator
- Unpredictable (2020) - Narrator
- White Noise (2020) - Narrator
- A Test of Character (2020) - Narrator
- Trust in the Plan (2020) - Narrator
- A New Beginning (2020) - Narrator
2015
Ruben Guthrie: Q&A with Patrick Brammall and Brendan Cowell (Video short) as
Self - Writer / Director
2015
The Making of 'Ruben Guthrie' (Video documentary short) as
Self - Writer / Director
2014
Z-Special: Australia's Secret Heroes (TV Mini Series documentary) as
Self
- Borneo (2014) - Self
- Operation Rimau (2014) - Self
- Tough Training (2014) - Self
2014
One Plus One (TV Series) as
Self - Guest
- Brendan Cowell (2014) - Self - Guest
2013
5 Songs (TV Series) as
Self - Host
2012
Country Town Rescue (TV Series documentary) as
Narrator
- Episode #1.1 (2012) - Narrator (voice)
2011
Kangaroo Mob (Documentary) as
Narrator (voice)
2008
First Tuesday Book Club (TV Series) as
Self - Guest Panellist / Self
- Indelible Ink/The Catcher in the Rye (2010) - Self - Guest Panellist
- Something to Tell You/The Outsider (2008) - Self
2010
I Love You Too: Behind the Scenes (Video short) as
Self - Actor
2010
The Project (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.186 (2010) - Self
2010
Sunrise (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 9 April 2010 (2010) - Self
2009
Into the Shadows (Documentary) as
Self
2009
The Chaser's War on Everything (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #3.6 (2009) - Self
2009
Overflowing: The Making of 'Ten Empty' (Video documentary short) as
Self - Co-writer / Co-producer
2009
Ten Empty: Interview from ABC's 'At the Movies' (Video documentary short) as
Self - Co-writer and Co-producer of 'Ten Empty'
2008
Review with Myles Barlow (TV Series) as
Self
- Voyeurism, Vanity, Heroism (2008) - Self
2008
The Merrick & Rosso Show (TV Series) as
Self - Special Guest
- Episode #1.2 (2008) - Self - Special Guest
2008
Rove Live (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #9.17 (2008) - Self

References

Brendan Cowell Wikipedia