Cast of Small Things Like These Film – Full Cast List and Roles

The 2024 historical drama Small Things Like These brings together an ensemble of Irish and international talent to examine one of Ireland’s most painful institutional legacies. Directed by Tim Mielants, the film adapts Claire Keegan’s acclaimed 2021 novel into a stark portrait of complicity and conscience within a small town controlled by the Catholic Church.

At the center stands Cillian Murphy, appearing both as coal merchant Bill Furlong and as producer through his company Big Things Films. The cast blends established Irish character actors with emerging talents, supported by high-profile international producers including Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. This Irish-Belgian co-production, funded partly by Screen Ireland, explores the infamous Magdalene laundries through an intimate family narrative.

Who Stars in Small Things Like These?

The principal cast comprises twelve credited roles, led by Murphy’s portrayal of a working-class father confronting institutional secrets. The production marks a significant collaboration between Irish creative forces and international production backing.

• Dual Role: Cillian Murphy stars as Bill Furlong while also serving as producer through Big Things Films alongside Matt Damon.
• Irish Ensemble: The cast features predominantly Irish talent including Eileen Walsh, Clare Dunne, Helen Behan, and Agnes O’Casey.
• International Presence: Emily Watson appears as the Mother Superior, bringing extensive dramatic experience to the convent’s leadership.
• Literary Adaptation: Enda Walsh adapted the screenplay from Claire Keegan’s Booker Prize-shortlisted novel.
• Historical Focus: The story confronts the legacy of Ireland’s Magdalene laundries through intimate character drama.
• Production Support: Ben Affleck serves as executive producer, joining a team that includes Alan Moloney and Jeffrey Robinov.

Who Plays Bill Furlong?

Cillian Murphy occupies the central role of Bill Furlong, a coal merchant operating in 1985-era Ireland whose deliveries to the local convent expose him to disturbing secrets. The character serves as the narrative’s moral compass, gradually uncovering truths about forced institutionalization while confronting his own family’s hidden history.

Murphy’s involvement extends beyond acting. Through his production company Big Things Films, he helped shepherd the project alongside Matt Damon’s production team and executive producer Ben Affleck. This marks Murphy’s first producer credit on a feature film, developed from source material that Keegan published in 2021.

Supporting Cast and Crew

The Furlong Family and Townspeople

Eileen Walsh portrays Eileen Furlong, Bill’s wife, anchoring the domestic tensions that arise as Bill investigates the convent’s activities. The couple’s eldest daughter Kathleen is played by Liadán Dunlea, while Agnes O’Casey appears as Sarah Furlong, Bill’s mother, whose past holds crucial revelations about the family’s connection to the institution.

The local community includes Helen Behan as Mrs. Kehoe, proprietor of the pub where townspeople gather, and Michelle Fairley as Mrs. Wilson, a landowner employing farmhand Ned, portrayed by Mark McKenna. Zara Devlin rounds out the principal cast as Sarah Redmond, while Peter Claffey appears as Barry.

The Convent

Emily Watson delivers a pivotal performance as Sister Mary, the Mother Superior presiding over the convent’s operations. Her portrayal captures the institutional authority and moral complexity of religious leadership during this period. Clare Dunne appears as Sister Carmel, a nun caught within the convent’s rigid hierarchy.

Behind the Camera

Tim Mielants directs, working from Enda Walsh’s adaptation of Keegan’s novel. Frank van den Eeden serves as cinematographer, while Alain Dessauvage handles film editing. Senjan Jansen composed the original score, with Paki Smith overseeing production design, Irene O’Brien handling art direction, and Alison McCosh designing costumes. Maureen Hughes led the casting department.

When Did Key Production Milestones Occur?

1. 2021: Author Claire Keegan publishes the source novel Small Things Like These, which is subsequently shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
2. 2024: The film adaptation receives its theatrical release, representing the directorial work of Tim Mielants and the screenwriting of Enda Walsh.

What Has Been Officially Confirmed?

Why Does This Cast Matter?

The assembly of this particular ensemble carries significance beyond standard casting decisions. By gathering predominantly Irish actors to tell a distinctly Irish story of institutional abuse, the production maintains cultural authenticity while leveraging international star power through Murphy’s recent prominence following Oppenheimer.

The involvement of high-profile American producers Damon and Affleck signals the story’s universal resonance, while the presence of actors like Walsh demonstrates conscious continuity in how Irish cinema confronts this specific historical trauma. The Belgian co-production element, meanwhile, reflects the pan-European funding models increasingly supporting serious historical drama addressing difficult national histories.

Where Does This Information Originate?

Cast and production details were verified through multiple authoritative sources. Wikipedia provides comprehensive production notes regarding the adaptation from Keegan’s novel. TV Guide confirms the central plot and character descriptions.

Additional casting verification comes from MovieMeter and Rotten Tomatoes, while crew credits for cinematography, editing, and music are documented through Box Office Mojo. International production details and release information were cross-referenced with IMDb and Claire Keegan’s official literary catalog.

What Is the Essential Cast Information?

Small Things Like These centers on Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Bill Furlong, supported by Eileen Walsh, Emily Watson, Michelle Fairley, and Clare Dunne in a predominantly Irish ensemble. Directed by Tim Mielants and produced by Murphy alongside Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, the 2024 drama adapts Claire Keegan’s novel with Enda Walsh’s screenplay. For analysis of the film’s reception, see our Small Things Like These review.

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