Colin Arthur O’Donoghue began his acting career with theater work and TV-miniseries ‘Rebel Heart’ (2001). His role as ‘Norman Quested’ in TV-film ‘Home for Christmas’ (2002) won him ‘Irish Film & TV Award for Best New Talent.’
O’Donoghue appeared in short-film ‘Call Girl’ (2003) followed by TV-series ‘Love is the Drug’ (2004) and 2005’s ‘Proof’ and awards-winning, hit series ‘Fair City.’ He played ‘Connor Elliott’ in popular medical-drama series ‘The Clinic’ (2006-2008) and appeared in short-films ‘24/7’ (2006) and ‘The Euthanizer’ (2009). He played ‘Duke Philip of Bavaria’ in historical-fiction TV-series ‘The Tudors’ (2009), the role that fetched attention. He next appeared in the movies ‘Wild December’ (2009) and ‘Identity’ (2011).
After sending his audition tape filmed in native Drogheda (Ireland) to the US, O’Donoghue made his feature-film and Hollywood debut alongside Anthony Hopkins in a lead-role as ‘Priest Michael Kovak’ in supernatural horror thriller film ‘The Rite’ (2011). This led to a guest starring role as ‘Captain Hook’ in second season of successful TV-series ‘Once Upon a Time’ (2012-2018). The popularity of his depiction resulted in a series regular role (and guest role in last seasons).
Further, O’Donoghue starred in sci-fi horror film ‘Storage 24’ (2012), main-role as ‘Musician Brennan’ in independent film ‘The Dust Storm’ (2014), and played ‘Prof. Harrison’ in comedy-drama film ‘Carrie Pilby’ (2016). He provided voice as ‘Douxie’ in animated TV-series ‘Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia’ (2018), ‘3Below: Tales of Arcadia’ (2019), ‘Wizards: Tales of Arcadia’ (2020), animated-film ‘Trollhunters: Rise of Titans’ (2021). He voiced ‘Gerry’ in animated fantasy-comedy film ‘Luck’ (2022).
O’Donoghue played lead in post-apocalyptic thriller-film ‘What Still Remains’ (2018), and appeared in an episode of anthology dramedy Netflix series ‘Heartstrings’ (2019). He portrayed ‘Astronaut Gordon Cooper’ in historical-drama Netflix series ‘The Right Stuff’ (2020).
Michael is a young seminary student who goes all the way to Italy to take part in an exorcism course. He meets eminent Jesuit exorcist Father Lucas, whose ways are quite effective, although questionable. Michael is still skeptical as he ever was, even after he witnesses the exorcism of a sixteen year old girl. Father Lucas explains to him about how exorcism works, and how it takes several sessions over a long stress of time to free a victim from demonic possession. However, the girl dies after the second exorcism, after which the demon finds another victim.
