Niall Wright Embraces the Challenge of Succeeding Liam Neeson in Iconic TV Role
Stepping into a character previously portrayed by a legendary figure in television and film is a daunting prospect for any actor, but Niall Wright has embraced this challenge with enthusiasm and respect. The 34-year-old star, best known for his role in Hope Street, has taken on the part of Shane O'Neill, nicknamed Mac, in Channel 4's recent remake of A Woman of Substance. This role was first brought to life by Liam Neeson in the 1985 adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford's novel, a performance that helped catapult Neeson to international fame through films like Taken, Batman Begins, and Star Wars.
A Legacy of Honor and Pressure
In a recent interview, Niall Wright shared his feelings about assuming such a renowned role. "If I'd thought about it too much before, I probably would've scared myself out of it!" he admitted. "I knew there would be a level of notoriety about it because Liam Neeson had been involved, which gave it that excitement. To take on something iconic like this—that Liam Neeson has done—I felt very honoured. The fact that it's two people from the North of Ireland giving this role a go is pretty cool." The remake, which premiered last week, retells the rags-to-riches story of protagonist Emma Harte, who rises from a maid at Fairley Hall to become the world's wealthiest woman.
Creating a Fresh Interpretation
To ensure his portrayal remained authentic and unique, Wright deliberately avoided watching the original miniseries, which starred Jenny Seagrove and Deborah Kerr. Instead, he focused on the source material. "I didn't want to get swayed or influenced by anything, so I read the book and made my own take on it," he explained. This approach allowed him to develop a deep understanding of Mac, drawing from the original novel and its sequels, such as Man of Honour. "You have a well of information to draw on, which is amazing," Wright noted. "You have a respect for the character and you want to do him justice, because the world is already created."
The Heart of the Story: Mac and Emma's Bond
Mac's character is introduced when he first meets Emma on the way to Fairley Hall, sparking an immediate connection that evolves into a lasting friendship. Wright describes Mac as Emma's "moral compass", highlighting his loyalty, trustworthiness, and empathy. "Mac is fiercely loyal, trustworthy and quite empathetic—he's always looking out for other people. He's ambitious but also has a bit of a cheeky charm to him as well. And he's quite observant; he can always tell when there is something up with Emma," he said. Wright added that Mac's non-judgmental nature is a key quality, making him a supportive figure in Emma's journey.
Chemistry with Co-Star Jessica Reynolds
The success of the eight-part series hinges on the chemistry between Mac and Emma, and Wright praised his co-star Jessica Reynolds, who plays the young Emma. "To have someone as talented as Jessica, who is such an instinctual actor, was lovely in terms of creating that chemistry and connection," he shared. "It was very easy and seamless. Even from the first day of rehearsals we hit it off; we had an understanding of each other. With Jess, she is very generous, so when you have someone like that who really listens—I try to do it back—it can create something quite special. I felt very safe with her, which was lovely. And that was important, because all of our stuff is together, so there had to be something there."
Mastering Accents and Moving Forward
Both actors used accents to bring their characters to life, with Wright adopting a southern Irish accent and Reynolds delivering a "faultless" Yorkshire accent. Wright credited his friend and accent coach for helping him perfect the dialect, while expressing amazement at Reynolds' ability. "To my ear—and knowing that she's from Belfast—there wasn't even like an inkling of a Belfast twang coming through at all, which I was completely stunned by," he enthused, joking about trying to distract her between takes with a strong Belfast accent, which failed to work.
This role follows Wright's work on BBC NI's Hope Street, where he played PC Callum McCarthy for four series. Although scheduling conflicts prevented him from participating in the fifth series, he reflected fondly on the experience. "Hope Street will always have a massive place in my heart, and I'm very grateful and lucky to have been involved in that," he said. "That's a show that has shown the North of Ireland in such a lovely light, and I think that was very much needed at that time. And who knows what will happen with that in the future!"
Looking ahead, Wright teased a role in the upcoming series of Slow Horses and emphasized his current focus on fatherhood. "I have a role in the next series," he revealed. "And at the moment I am on dad duty. That's the job at the minute, which is amazing." A Woman of Substance is now available for streaming on Channel 4, with episodes airing on TV every Wednesday and Thursday at 9pm.
