Colin O'Brien (born 2008) is an American actor. O'Brien's breakout role was as the lead character, Edward Adler, in the Jason Katims 2023 series, Dear Edward, on Apple TV+. His performance as Edward earned him a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Performance in a Streaming Series: Leading Youth Artist.
Colin O'Brien | |
|---|---|
 O'Brien in 2024 | |
| Born | Colin Delaine O'Brien 2008 The Woodlands, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2019–present |
Career
editO'Brien started performing at the age of five in musical theater. In 2021, he landed his first role in a major production, The Mothership, starring Halle Berry.[1] Colin's career began to accelerate when he was cast as a young Timothee Chalamet in Wonka,[2] where he played Willy Wonka as a child, alongside "Mamma," played by Sally Hawkins. Colin's next big role had him acting with Donald Sutherland, in Mr. Harrigan's Phone, where O'Brien played the young Jaeden Martell.[3]
O'Brien then landed his first starring role, as Edward Adler in the Apple TV+ series, Dear Edward, also starring Connie Britton and Taylor Schilling.[4] The series' creator, writer, and executive producer, Jason Katims, said of Colin, "Finding Colin was just the key to everything ... It was like when I worked with ... Claire Danes ...[b]ecause she had such maturity from a very early age as an actress. I felt similarly with Colin."[5]
O'Brien began his work on network TV by guest starring as Matthew Kay, the son of Deacon Kay (played by Jay Harrington), in the 2017 series of S.W.A.T.[6] He also guest starred in a double episode of Grey's Anatomy, as Grayson Friedman.[7] His next role has him starring alongside Theo James, playing Theo's son Petey in the 2025 film The Monkey, written and directed by Osgood Perkins.[8]
Critical reception
editO'Brien's performance in Dear Edward earned him numerous plaudits from critics and a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Performance in a Streaming Series: Leading Youth Artist.[9]
Time magazine described O'Brien as a "luminous newcomer".[10] Richard Roeper of Ebert and Roeper stated, "Young Colin O’Brien is tasked with doing some heavy lifting as Edward, and he does fine work."[11] The Hollywood Reporter declared, "O’Brien is thoroughly committed to Edward’s grief ... making his bursts or even glimpses of emotion radiate."[12] Variety magazine noted, "O’Brien renders well the character’s humanity, his confusion, his guilt and desire for a moment’s break from pain."[13] Roger Ebert.com added its praise, "O’Brien’s wounded, withdrawn performance offers the most complete, multifaceted journey among the sprawling ensemble that surrounds him."[14] The Boston Globe stated it simply, "[A]s Edward, young Colin O’Brien is easy to feel for, never working to stir our compassion or pity. He’s a natural."[15]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | The Monkey | Petey | Principal Role |
| 2023 | Wonka | Young Willy Wonka | |
| 2021 | The Mothership | Martin |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dear Edward | Edward Adler | Starring Role |
| Grey's Anatomy | Grayson Friedman | 2 episodes | |
| S.W.A.T. | Matthew Kay | 1 episode |
Short Films
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Under the Sun[16] | Antonio | Starring Role |
| 2020 | The Lost Boy | Errol | Starring Role |
| 2019 | Twenty Questions | Lucas | Starring Role |
Commercials
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Sambucol:For Centuries[17] | Egyptian Fanbearer/Renaissance Boy/Market Hawker/Butterfly Catcher | Principal Role |
References
edit- ^ "Rising Stars: Colin O'Brien". themediaeye.com. November 14, 2022.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 29, 2021). "'Wonka': Warner Bros Movie Adds Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Olivia Colman & Jim Carter". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (November 23, 2021). "'Mr. Harrigan's Phone': Colin O'Brien & Cyrus Arnold Join John Lee Hancock's Netflix Film". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 1, 2022). "Jason Katims Series 'Dear Edward' Starring Connie Britton, Taylor Schilling & Colin O'Brien Gets Apple TV+ Order, Sets 'Friday Night Lights' Reunion". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Campione, Katie (March 24, 2023). "'Dear Edward' Creator Jason Katims Talks Finale Episode & Plans For Potential Season 2". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Dowling, Amber (December 10, 2022). "Jay Harrington Reveals Storyline He Fought For on 'S.W.A.T.,' Promises More Family Drama to Come". Metacritic.
- ^ Eckerling, Debra (April 19, 2023). "Todd Shotz: Jewish Representation and 'Grey's Anatomy'". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (March 28, 2024). "'The Monkey': Stephen King Adaptation With Theo James Also Stars Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, Christian Convery, Colin O'Brien, Rohan Campbell & Sarah Levy; Filming Wraps". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ "44th-45th Young Artist Awards Online Program". Young Artist Award.
- ^ Berman, Judy (February 2, 2023). "Dear Edward Is TV's Weepiest Show Since This Is Us". Time.
- ^ Roeper, Richard (February 3, 2023). "'Dear Edward' shows tears, laughter of those reeling from a plane crash — including the boy who survived it". Chicago Sun-Times.
- ^ Fienberg, Daniel (February 2023). "Dear Edward Apple TV Series Starring Connie Britton and Taylor Schilling an Overstuffed Wallow in Misery". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ D'Addario, Daniel (January 30, 2023). "'Dear Edward,' Adapting a Hit Novel, Can't Find Its Way Out of Grief: TV Review". Variety.
- ^ Worthington, Clint (February 3, 2023). "Apple TV+'s New Weeper Dear Edward Is Hardly Good Grief". RogerEbert.com.
- ^ Gilbert, Matthew (February 1, 2023). "Dear Edward Isn't Just Another Sob Story". The Boston Globe.
- ^ Pope, Jessica (February 20, 2023). "A Conversation With Lucas Hicks: VSU Alumnus, Filmmaker Introduces "Under The Sun" to South Georgia Film Festival Audiences". Valdosta State University (Interview).
- ^ "Humanaut Launches 'Historic' Ads for Sambucol Black Elderberry". brands.net. December 12, 2020.