Cillian Murphy’s Lookalike Son Aran, 17, Follows in His Father’s Footsteps with First Major Role in HBO’s Upcoming Drama Series
Cillian Murphy’s teenage son is stepping into the spotlight — and it looks like the acting gene runs deep in the family. Aran Murphy, the 17-year-old son of Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy and artist Yvonne McGuinness, has officially joined the cast of WAR, an upcoming HBO and Sky original series. The news was confirmed by Aran’s talent agency, who shared a proud announcement on Instagram alongside a photo of the young actor, whose striking resemblance to his father immediately caught the attention of fans worldwide.
According to the announcement, WAR is a new prestige drama co-produced by HBO and Sky, featuring an ensemble cast that includes The Crown’s Dominic West and Anatomy of a Scandal star Sienna Miller. The series, set in a post-conflict European nation, will reportedly explore themes of power, loyalty, and the moral complexities of leadership — the kind of gripping storytelling that both HBO and Cillian Murphy himself have become known for. While details about Aran’s specific role remain under wraps, the buzz around his debut is already building, with many noting how naturally he seems to be following in his father’s footsteps.
For longtime fans of Cillian Murphy, seeing his son enter the acting world feels both exciting and nostalgic. The elder Murphy, known for his intensity and understated charisma in films like 28 Days Later, Inception, and Oppenheimer, has always kept his private life out of Hollywood’s spotlight. Despite his fame, Murphy and his wife chose to raise their two sons, Aran and Malachy, in Ireland — far away from the glamour and chaos of Los Angeles. In interviews, Murphy has often expressed how much family means to him, saying that fame was never the goal, and that his greatest joy has always been his children.
It’s no surprise, then, that Aran’s approach to acting seems thoughtful and grounded rather than fame-driven. His first major on-screen role comes after years of quiet artistic exploration. Before his HBO debut, Aran already made waves in the theater world, performing in the Irish stage production Hamnet at just 14. The play, which told the story of Shakespeare’s only son, earned critical acclaim — and Aran’s performance was widely praised for its emotional maturity and depth. For a teenager, he showed a remarkable command of the stage, something many attributed to his father’s influence, though Cillian himself has always insisted that his sons should “find their own path.”
Cillian Murphy has often said that he never wanted to push his children toward acting. In an interview with The Guardian, he once shared, “I want them to be happy and creative and to have curiosity about the world. I don’t want them to feel like they need to do what I do.” Still, it seems Aran’s natural pull toward storytelling and performance found its way to the screen organically — a reflection of both nurture and talent.
For fans who grew up watching Cillian Murphy bring characters to life with quiet intensity, seeing Aran’s career begin feels like witnessing a new chapter of cinematic legacy. Side-by-side photos of father and son shared online reveal their uncanny resemblance — the sharp blue eyes, the high cheekbones, and that same contemplative expression that made Murphy one of the most magnetic actors of his generation. Social media quickly flooded with comments like, “He’s his father’s twin!” and “The next Murphy era begins.”
As Aran prepares to make his television debut, the project has already drawn comparisons to the kind of morally complex dramas that defined his father’s early career. Industry insiders suggest WAR could be the kind of show that launches Aran into international recognition, though those close to the Murphy family say fame isn’t the goal. For now, it’s about storytelling, passion, and artistic growth — values that have clearly shaped both father and son.
With filming already underway in Europe, fans won’t have to wait long to see Aran Murphy’s first major screen performance. For Cillian Murphy, who has built his legacy through roles that explore humanity’s quiet complexities, there must be a quiet pride in watching his son take those first steps into an industry that he himself helped redefine. And for audiences, it’s a rare chance to witness the beginning of what could be another remarkable acting journey — one that carries the same quiet intensity that made the name “Murphy” synonymous with brilliance on screen.
