Ian Hanmore

Ian Hanmore is a Scottish actor born c. 1953 in Edinburgh, best known for portraying the enigmatic warlock Pyat Pree in the second season of the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones.^[1] Hanmore's television career spans several notable British productions, including his role as Father Angelo, a sinister priest, in the Doctor Who episode "Tooth and Claw" from 2006.^[1] He also appeared as a suspect in the crime drama Life on Mars in 2007, and more recently played Gravedigger Rab in the historical series Mary & George in 2024.^[2] His work often features supporting characters in genre and historical pieces, showcasing his versatility in intense, character-driven narratives.^[1] In film, Hanmore has contributed to a diverse array of projects, beginning with early roles in The Magdalene Sisters (2002) as Margaret's father and Young Adam (2003) in a supporting capacity.^[3] Later credits include the horror thriller The Awakening (2011), the action-horror Citadel (2012), the biographical drama Mary Queen of Scots (2018), the romantic comedy Falling for Figaro (2020), and the fantasy adventure Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023).^[4] Recent releases include Bong Joon-ho's sci-fi film Mickey 17 (2025), John Maclean's Tornado (2025), and Paul W. S. Anderson's In the Lost Lands (2025) alongside Antonio Banderas and Golshifteh Farahani.^[4]

Early life

Birth and upbringing

Ian Hanmore was born in 1953 in Edinburgh, Scotland.^[1] Public information on his family background and specific details of his upbringing remains limited, with no widely documented accounts of his parents or household circumstances available from reputable sources. Edinburgh during the 1950s, the period of Hanmore's early childhood, was characterized by its mix of working-class neighborhoods and a burgeoning cultural landscape, exemplified by the establishment of the Edinburgh International Festival in 1947, which brought international arts and theatre to the city and fostered a vibrant local scene.^[5]

Initial interest in acting

Hanmore's initial interest in acting emerged during his childhood in Edinburgh, where he grew up in the 1950s and 1960s. As a young boy, he was captivated by the performances of actors like Peter O'Toole and Malcolm McDowell, fostering an early ambition to pursue acting as a career. However, when he shared this aspiration with his careers advisor, he faced ridicule, which temporarily deterred him from the path.^[6] Following puberty, Hanmore shifted his creative energies toward dreams of becoming a rock star, amid the cultural shifts of his youth in Scotland's capital. This period of exploration gave way to disillusionment in his thirties, marked by unfulfilling pursuits and a conventional job. It was not until a mid-life crisis in his early forties that he rekindled his longstanding passion for performance, seeking an outlet for creative expression beyond his dead-end employment.^[6] Lacking formal higher education in the arts earlier in life, Hanmore's entry into acting was largely self-driven, rooted in personal motivation rather than structured academic training. In 1993 and 1994, he began studying basic acting skills at a technical college, where he briefly explored method acting concepts from David Mamet but gravitated toward a more intuitive style that aligned with his natural inclinations. This informal beginning underscored his determination to transition into the profession later in life, influenced by Edinburgh's enduring theatre heritage as a backdrop to his formative years.^[6]

Career

Early career and stage work

Hanmore began his professional acting career in the mid-1990s after training at Telford College in Edinburgh, where he earned an HNC in Drama following a career change from a job at the [Post Office](/page/Post Office).^[7] His first credited stage role came in 1996 with the Grid Iron Theatre Company's production of Clearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he portrayed Henry and a Guard in this site-specific play exploring Scottish history and clearance themes.^[7] This debut marked his entry into Scotland's vibrant but competitive independent theatre scene, which during the 1990s offered limited opportunities for emerging actors amid funding constraints and a focus on ensemble and experimental works rather than commercial productions.^[8] Transitioning to television, Hanmore made his on-screen debut in 1998 with a guest appearance as Mr. Johns in the Scottish soap opera Take the High Road, a role that highlighted his ability to portray everyday characters in regional dramas.^[9] That same year, he appeared as Theodore Symes in the crime thriller miniseries Postmortem, further establishing his presence in Scottish television during a period when the industry faced challenges from reduced BBC Scotland budgets and competition from larger UK productions, often pushing actors toward theatre or relocation to London for steadier work. His early film work included a small role as the Rescuing Driver in the 1999 comedy Women Talking Dirty, a British independent feature that underscored the sporadic nature of screen opportunities for Scottish performers in the late 1990s. Hanmore continued to build his reputation through theatre in the early 2000s, taking on the role of Jeremy Raison in the 2004 family adaptation The Borrowers at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow, a production that blended whimsy with live action to engage young audiences.^[10] By 2006, he portrayed Deputy Governor Danforth in Arthur Miller's The Crucible, staged by the TAG Theatre Company in Glasgow as part of a co-production with the National Theatre of Scotland; this intense role in the classic drama about hysteria and justice allowed him to showcase his dramatic range amid Scotland's evolving post-devolution theatre landscape, which saw increased regional funding but persistent hurdles in sustaining full-time careers.^[6][11] These foundational stage and minor screen roles in Scotland's cultural hubs like Edinburgh and Glasgow laid the groundwork for his later breakthroughs, navigating an acting environment marked by passion for local stories alongside economic pressures that favored versatile, multi-disciplinary performers.^[8]

Breakthrough roles in film and television

Hanmore's breakthrough in film came with his role as Margaret's father in Peter Mullan's historical drama The Magdalene Sisters (2002), where he portrayed a stern patriarch in the story of Ireland's Magdalene Laundries.^[12] The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival and won the Golden Lion, highlighted Hanmore's ability to convey dramatic intensity in a supporting capacity within a critically acclaimed ensemble. In television, Hanmore marked his entry into science fiction with the role of Father Angelo, the sinister leader of the Brethren monks, in the Doctor Who episode "Tooth and Claw" (2006). Critics noted his intimidating presence and striking cold gaze, which added menace to the episode's werewolf confrontation at Torchwood House.^[13][14] Supporting roles in the same period further showcased Hanmore's versatility across genres. In the crime thriller Young Adam (2003), he appeared as the Freight Supervisor, contributing to the film's moody exploration of 1950s Glasgow barge life. Similarly, in the time-travel police drama Life on Mars (2007), he played Peter Wilkes in an episode involving a murder investigation, demonstrating his skill in period and procedural storytelling. Hanmore's international profile surged with his portrayal of the warlock Pyat Pree in season 2 of HBO's Game of Thrones (2012), a chilling antagonist in the Qarth storyline whose eerie magic and duplicity threatened Daenerys Targaryen. Rolling Stone praised Hanmore's wonderfully strange performance, noting how his constant smiling belied cold eyes that sold the character's outlandish powers.^[15] This role, building on his earlier stage experience, diversified his screen presence into fantasy and elevated his visibility in global productions.^[16]

Recent projects and recognition

Following his breakthrough in the early 2010s, Hanmore continued to build his career with supporting roles in both television and film, often portraying enigmatic or authoritative figures in historical and genre pieces. In 2013, he appeared as Lord Ruthven in the historical drama Mary Queen of Scots, directed by Charles McDougall, contributing to the film's depiction of political intrigue in 16th-century Scotland. This role marked a transition into period cinema, building on his earlier work while showcasing his ability to embody complex antagonists. Similarly, his performance as Albert Flood in the 2011 supernatural thriller The Awakening served as a bridge to more fantastical narratives, where he played a grieving father amid ghostly hauntings at a boys' school.^[17] Hanmore's television presence remained steady through the decade, with notable appearances in series that highlighted his versatility in dramatic and speculative storytelling. He portrayed Father Anselm in the historical fantasy Outlander (2015), a monk aiding the protagonist during wartime Scotland, and Denis Lamb in the espionage thriller The Game (2014), navigating Cold War tensions. In 2023, he took on the role of Spurinna in the documentary series Julius Caesar: The Making of a Dictator, lending gravitas to the soothsayer's warnings against the Roman leader.^[18] More recently, in 2024, Hanmore played Gravedigger Rab in the Sky Atlantic historical drama Mary & George, a minor but atmospheric part in the tale of courtly ambition during the Stuart era. His role as Szass Tam, the powerful lich and necromancer leader of Thay, in the 2023 blockbuster Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves further solidified his affinity for fantasy, appearing in key scenes that advanced the film's villainous plot. Looking ahead, Hanmore has several high-profile projects slated for 2025 release, expanding his international footprint in science fiction and adventure genres. He is set to appear as Darius Blank in Bong Joon-ho's Mickey 17, a satirical sci-fi film starring Robert Pattinson, where his character supports the narrative of interstellar cloning and survival.^[19] Additionally, Hanmore will portray The Stranger in Paul W.S. Anderson's fantasy adaptation In the Lost Lands, based on George R.R. Martin's story, opposite Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista. He rounds out the year with the role of Thief Bandit in the action thriller Tornado, directed by John Maclean, adding to his diverse portfolio of genre work.^[20] Beyond screen acting, Hanmore has garnered recognition for his voice work in audiobook narration, particularly in crime fiction. He narrated James Oswald's Inspector McLean series, including Natural Causes (2013), which earned a nomination for the Audible Sounds of Crime Award at the 2014 CrimeFest, sharing the category's shortlist for best crime audiobook.^[21] The following year, his narration of The Hangman's Song (2014) was again nominated in the same category, praised for capturing the series' gritty Edinburgh atmosphere and procedural depth. These nods highlight his skill in audio performance, though he has not secured a win. While Hanmore has not received major personal acting awards, his consistent casting in fantasy and sci-fi productions—stemming from his Game of Thrones role as the warlock Pyat Pree—has earned him steady industry respect as a reliable character actor capable of conveying otherworldly menace and historical authenticity. His contributions to ensemble casts in global hits like Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves underscore his enduring appeal in genre cinema.

Filmography

Film

• The Magdalene Sisters (2002) as Margaret's Father^[12]
• Young Adam (2003) as Freight Supervisor^[22]
• The Awakening (2011) as Albert Flood
• Citadel (2012) as Council Office Clerk^[23]
• Mary Queen of Scots (2013) as Lord Ruthven^[24]
• Falling for Figaro (2020) as Patrick^[25]
• Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) as Szass Tam
• Mickey 17 (2025) as Darius Blank
• In the Lost Lands (2025) as The Stranger (uncredited)^[26]
• Tornado (2025) as Thief Bandit^[2]

Television

Ian Hanmore's television appearances span a range of British series and international productions, often in supporting or guest roles that highlight his versatility in dramatic and genre work.^[1]

Theatre

Hanmore's stage career began in the mid-1990s with work in Scottish theatre companies, focusing on innovative and site-specific productions in Edinburgh. In 1996, he appeared in Clearance by Grid Iron Theatre Company, an Edinburgh-based ensemble known for immersive performances, playing the roles of Henry and Guard in a production that explored themes of displacement and identity through promenade staging at unusual locations like abandoned buildings.^[33] By the early 2000s, Hanmore had established himself in Glasgow's vibrant theatre scene, contributing to family-oriented and classic adaptations at major venues. In 2004, he performed as Jeremy Raison in the Citizens Theatre's production of The Borrowers, adapted from Mary Norton's novel by Lynn Robertson Hay and directed by Jeremy Raison; this family musical, staged at the iconic Gorbals venue, emphasized whimsical storytelling and toured regionally to engage young audiences across Scotland.^[34] His notable work continued with Arthur Miller's The Crucible in 2006, a co-production between TAG Theatre Company in Glasgow and the National Theatre of Scotland, marking the latter's inaugural touring season. Hanmore portrayed Deputy Governor Danforth, the stern judge central to the play's exploration of hysteria and authority, in a production directed by Guy Hollands that incorporated community casts from various Scottish towns for its tour, performing at venues including the Tramway in Glasgow and Edinburgh's King's Theatre to highlight regional involvement.^[11][35] Public documentation of Hanmore's full stage résumé remains limited, with many early 1990s and 2000s performances in local Scottish productions—such as those at the Traverse Theatre or Dundee Rep—either unarchived or not widely detailed in available records, underscoring his roots in grassroots and touring theatre before broader recognition.