LINE Of Duty actor Brian McCardie has died at the age of 59.
He was best known for playing crime boss Tommy Hunter in the series. Here’s what we know about him.
Who is Brian McCardie?
Brian James McCardie was born in Glasgow on January 22, 1965.
The Scottish star grew up in North Lanarkshire and developed an interest in acting while at school.
One of McCardie’s last performances was in season two of ITV drama The Tower, where he played Ray Walker.
He also starred as Detective Bull in Agatha Christie adaptation Murder Is Easy and Steve Rawton in The Long Shadow in 2023.
In 2021, he played Jackson Jones in BBC drama Time, and was Norrie Erskine in ITV’s Crime a year later.
He appeared in a number of other TV roles, including the mini-series Titanic, Dundee-set drama Dog Days and Sky Atlantic’s Domina, set in Ancient Rome, playing Cicero.
He was also involved in the forthcoming Outlander prequel Blood Of My Blood.
His final film was 2024’s Damaged in which he played Avery alongside Samuel L Jackson as Dan Lawson, and fellow Scot, John Hannah, as McGregor.
McCardie’s other screen credits include films Rob Roy, Filth, and The Damned United, where he played legendary Scottish footballer Dave Mackay.
However, McCardie’s best known role was that of mafia boss John Thomas “Tommy” Hunter in Line Of Duty.
The crime boss met a sticky end at the start of series two.
His character introduced bent cop DI Matthew “Dot” Cottan to the world of crime.
In a 2021 interview with the Radio Times, he said: “Maybe someday I’ll work my way up to being a Bond villain”.
As well as acting, he performed readings of his own poems at various venues around Ireland and was filming them for online distribution.
When did Brian McCardie die?
In a social media post, his actor sister Sarah said he had died suddenly at home on April 28, 2024.
His family said that he was “gone much too soon” and described him as a “wonderful and passionate actor.”
Sarah McCardie told BBC Scotland News that the family were “devastated”.
She said: “Brian loved his work and touched many lives, and is gone much too soon. We love him and will miss him greatly.”
![Titanic images are embargoed until 2nd March 2012. COMING TO ITV1 IN 2012 TITANIC Titanic will focus on different characters ranging from steerage passengers to upper class guests. Each point of view will culminate in a cliff hanger as the ship begins to flounder, building to an explosive conclusion which draws together each of the stories. Viewers will be taken on a heart wrenching journey through Titanic's last hours, as the drama reveals which of the characters they have come to know so well will surviveÉand who does not. Picture shows - First Officer Murdoch played by Brian McCardie © ITV This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Plc Picture Desk.](http://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/titanic_23jpg-JS369163_9fa8fe.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The writer and director Alec Bowman Clarke described McCardie as “genuine, passionate, generous & funny” on social media.
BAFTA-winning Scottish director Jon S. Baird said he was “one of the funniest actors I ever worked with” in the movie Filth.
While BAFTA Scotland also paid tribute to the star, saying they were “deeply saddened” by his passing.
He was an actor of such great talent who we were lucky to represent, and our thoughts are very much with his family and friends at this difficult time.
United Agents
SNP MP Angus Robertson called him a “terrific actor and lovely guy”.
Author Paul Larkin posted on X: “Brian was a brilliant friend and we had many discussions about mental health issues where he was a fantastic help to me.”
How did Brian McCardie die?
McCardie’s exact cause of death has still not been disclosed.
However, his family has said that he had “passed away suddenly at home”.
United Agents confirmed his death to the PA news agency.
In a statement, they said: “We are shocked and so deeply saddened by the tragic news of Brian’s sudden death.
“He was an actor of such great talent who we were lucky to represent, and our thoughts are very much with his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Brian McCardie’s best moments
One of Brian McCardie’s best-known characters was the villainous Tommy Hunter in Line Of Duty, where he was revealed at the end of season one on a golf course, portraying the ruthless crime boss.
McCardie’s character is finally arrested at the end of season one after he confesses, but he’s then aided by a cop who people trusted.
Despite having minimal appearance across the show, his presence is felt for six seasons, popping up in various plot twists including a paedophile ring.
Aside from the Line Of Duty, McCardie played a host of brilliant baddies in his time.
He plays the hard-bitten top dog Jackson Jones in BBC prison drama Time with Sean Bean.
McCardie was seen being repeatedly punched by Bean’s character, who fought back against the thug who’d been bullying him.
Ultimately, Jones is both seedy and Machiavellian, which adds to his dastardliness.
McCardie has worked steadily on stage and screen for 30 years.
During that time, he’s delivered scene-stealing supporting turns in films such as Snatch and Filth, and TV dramas like Outlander, where he played Sir Marcus MacRannoch, Ordeal By Innocence, Low Winter Sun, Fortitude and Giri/Haji.
He also played Roman statesman Cicero in Sky Atlantic epic Domina, where he slips into the voice of TV chef Keith Floyd.