Aran Murphy on Playing an Angry Young Man in ‘Youth’ and ‘War’ — and His Father Cillian’s Influence

Aran Murphy, 19, is appearing in HBO dramas “Youth” and “War” while also starring in Taika Waititi’s upcoming film “Klara and the Sun”. In both series he plays an angry, troubled teenager caught up in his parents’ divorce, giving him a chance to explore how young people respond to conflict and the transition into adulthood.

In “Youth”, Murphy plays Rauri, a university dropout facing a damaging rumour after a drunken encounter; he says viewers must decide whether to believe the character. In “War”, his character Gabriel is drawn into a high-profile divorce between his mother, played by Sienna Miller, and stepfather, played by Dominic West. Murphy says his father, Cillian Murphy, has supported his interest in acting and shaped his film education, while leaving him to develop his own approach.