Daryl McCormack's Parents Had a Brief Relationship & He Later Discovered Shared Interests with Paternal Grandfather

Daryl McCormack's parents met in California and had a brief relationship that resulted in the actor's birth. Although his mother raised him in Ireland, he maintained close connections with his father and paternal grandfather, who played a significant role in his acting career.

Born in Nenagh, County Tipperary, to an African-American man and an Irish woman, Daryl McCormack pursued an acting career after watching several movies and theater productions growing up.

Daryl's grandfather, Percy Thomas, is close to his heart. Besides running a theater company, Percy was a family man who wanted to have a close bond with his grandson.

"The second he heard of himself having a grandson, he instantly made his way over to Ireland and connected with my family," Daryl said.

Daryl McCormack's Parents Met in California

Although Daryl's mother, Theresa, is from Ireland, she met his father, Alfred, a Baltimore native, in California. Eventually, Theresa became pregnant with Daryl and gave birth to him on January 22, 1993.

Along with her mother, Theresa raised Daryl as the only colored child in their family. Meanwhile, Alfred remained in the US while having occasional contact with his son.

Growing up a colored child in a sea of white kids was an experience the actor will never forget. Recalling his younger days, Daryl would ask Theresa why people always looked at him, to which she highlighted his good looks.

Nevertheless, Daryl also has fond memories of life with his mother and grandmother, where they would laugh at his banters and actions. From a young age, Daryl already has a knack for performing.

Daryl and His Mother Watched Movies on Weekends

Theresa, born around 1970, was an addiction counselor in Ireland. Although initially from Nenagh, where she raised her only son, she moved to Peterborough.

While raising her boy, Theresa started a weekly tradition where she and Daryl would go to the cinema to watch an exciting movie. "That was true escapism for the both of us," Daryl said. "It kept my dream alive for a long time." It was also one of the things that pushed him to pursue an acting career.

In 2020, Daryl Spent His First Thanksgiving with His Father

As Daryl aged, he got to know his father more and even spent Thanksgiving with Alfred in 2020. The "Peaky Blinders" star flew to the US and spent the Holiday with his father and grandfather. With a stable job, he has more resources to fly to the US as often nowadays.

He also has a closer relationship with his father, whom he talks to regularly. "I love them with every fiber of my heart," the actor said.

Compared to Alfred, Daryl is much close to his paternal grandfather despite living apart. They also share the same passion for entertainment as Percy tried to pursue an acting career in his 20s. Now that his grandson is fulfilling the same journey, Percy couldn't be any more proud.

Daryl McCormack's Grandfather Founded Free Spirit Theater '70s

Percy founded the Free Spirit Theater in Baltimore in 1973 as an avenue for younger generations to perform. He has stood as the Artistic Director since 2008 and helps mentor in acting workshops.

Besides his over three decades of theatre experience, Percy was also involved in film and television. He has appeared in over 40 stage productions with several leading roles.

Now famously known for his role in "Peaky Blinders," Daryl shares the screen with some of the most promising stars, including Cillian Murphy, who brings life to Tommy Shelby. Playing Shelby was admittedly a challenging role to take on, given the character's tough nature.

Nevertheless, Murphy was drawn to his on-screen persona of Shelby's confusing personality. This helped Murphy take the risk of playing such a versatile character, and in the end, his skill in acting significantly contributed to the show's success.