‘Very Intrigued’: Northern Irish Actor Jamie Dornan Weighs In On Prospect Of A United Ireland
The actor weighed in on Irish politics in a candid interview about his latest work. (Screengrab via Graham Norton/YouTube)
Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan said that he was “very intrigued” by the idea of a united Ireland, highlighting the long-running but changing conversation around the future of Northern Ireland’s place in the UK.
In a candid interview with Radio Times, gearing up from the release of the second season of his show The Tourist, Dornan expressed his views openly.
“I’d be very intrigued to know what that looks like,” he said. “There’s more of a willingness to talk about it than there has been in my lifetime and I’m very open-minded to the idea of it.”
Dornan advocated for open-minded discussions, emphasising the need for clarity on the practical implications of unification, moving beyond mere sentimentality.
The actor continued: “The wrong language has been used for too long and they need to tell people how it would look for health and education and economically, and the actual everyday things of life, rather than the sentimentality of it, the flag in it, and all that bullshit that’s been wrecking the place for many, many years.”
Northern Ireland, established as a distinct entity within the United Kingdom in 1921, has a complex history marked by political and sectarian divisions and conflict. Its status as one of the UK’s four constituent countries has been a topic of historic debate and contention, particularly regarding the prospect of a united Ireland.
The idea envisions the integration of Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland, forming a single sovereign nation. The concept, deeply rooted in historical and cultural narratives, remains somewhat contentious, reflecting divergent identities and aspirations among its population. The possibility of a united Ireland continues to be a significant and emotive subject in both Irish and British politics.
Response to Dornan’s thoughts were embraced by advocates of a united Ireland, who underlined that the actor comes from the unionist community traditionally opposed to the aspiration and more aligned with keeping Northern Ireland within the UK.
The Tourist returns with Dornan reprising his role as Northern Irishman Elliot, an amnesiac car crash survivor who seeks answers about his identity alongside Australian probation officer Helen Chambers played by Danielle Macdonald.
The latest season, filmed in Ireland, promises breathtaking visuals, described by Dornan as akin to a “Tourism Ireland advert”. He praised the Irish crew for their exceptional work on the project, highlighting the production’s contribution to showcasing Ireland’s beauty.
