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Pauline McLynn

Pauline McLynn

Actor · Born July 11, 1962 (64) · Sligo, Republic of Ireland

Pauline McLynn (born 11 July 1962) is an Irish character actress and author. She is best known for her roles as Mrs. Doyle in the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted, Libby Croker in the Channel 4 comedy drama Shameless, Tip Haddem in the BBC One comedy Jam & Jerusalem, and Yvonne Cotton in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 11, 1962 (64)
From
Sligo, Republic of Ireland
Works as
Actor
Titles
32 on MovieCove · 61 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 18% in 30 days

What are Pauline McLynn's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 50th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 32nd percentile
: browse their Animation movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
24%
Self
24%
Survival
15%
Society
14%
Morality
11%
Power
10%
Ideas
1%
Family bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 9 · Serious 1 · Dark 3

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 5 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 8 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 5 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 5

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 8 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 6 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 4

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles
Mentor
1 of 4
Threshold guardian
1 of 4
Ally
1 of 4
Trickster
1 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
7
Tense
7
Melancholic
7
Joyful
5
Absurd
5
Other
21

How their films linger

Feel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet10
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Pauline McLynn's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 20 of their 32 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Pauline McLynn's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

61 credits, 32 with a MovieCove page; 11 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Safe Harbor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 8 episodes · as Brina Walsh

  • Man and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps(2024)

    as The Goatherd's Mother

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Bodkin(2024)

    Show 2 episodes · as Brónagh McArdle

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • The Inheritance(2023)

    Show 4 episodes · as Jenny Roche

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all shows

  • Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 6 episodes · as Win Molloy

  • Holding(2022)

    Show 4 episodes · as as Eileen O'Driscoll

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all shows

  • Doctor Who: Eve of the Daleks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Mary

  • Last Night in Soho(2021)

    as Carol

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Deadly Cuts(2021)

    as Shelley Sherlock

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Riverdance: The Animated Adventure(2021)

    as Grandma (voice)

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Out! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Joan

  • A Girl from Mogadishu(2019)

    as L'assistante sociale

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Making Noise Quietly(2019)

    as Mildred

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Johnny English Strikes Again(2018)

    as Mrs. Trattner

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Captain Morten and the Spider Queen(2018)

    as Aunt Annabelle / The Spider Queen (voice)

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Dave Allen at Peace(2018)

    as Sister Mary

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Pilgrimage: The Road to Istanbul (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • GameFace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 12 episodes · as Mum

  • Drop Dead Weird (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 52 episodes · as Bunni

  • Transformers: The Last Knight(2017)

    as Female Researcher

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Secret Scripture(2016)

    as Anne McCartney

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Noble(2014)

    as Mother Superior

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Inside No. 9(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Oona

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Father Figure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 6 episodes · as Mary Whyte

  • Threesome(2011)

    Show as Lorraine

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • The Calling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Sister Hilda

  • Demons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Bremner, Bird and Fortune: Silly Money (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Dinner Guest

  • Clatterford(2006)

    Show 17 episodes · as Tip Haddem · as Tippi Haddem

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Gypo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Helen

  • Heidi(2005)

    as Aunt Detie

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Island of Inis Cool (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 26 episodes · as Mrs Turlock (voice)

  • Shameless(2004)

    Show 33 episodes · as Libby Croker

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • The Return(2003)

    as Laura

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • High Hopes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Gina And Stella (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Iris(2001)

    as Maureen

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Black Day at Black Rock (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • An Everlasting Piece(2000)

    as Gerty

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • When Brendan Met Trudy(2000)

    as Nuala

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Quills(2000)

    as Mademoiselle Clairwil

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Most Fertile Man in Ireland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Maeve

  • Nora (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Miss Kennedy

  • Life Force (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Polly Phemus

  • Angela's Ashes(1999)

    as Aunt Aggie

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Dark Ages (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 5 episodes · as Agnes

  • Bremner, Bird and Fortune (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 89 episodes · Actor

  • Her Own Rules(1998)

    as Constable Williams

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • My Friend Joe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Ms. Doyle

  • Dalziel and Pascoe(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr Kirsty Urquhart

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Silent Witness(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Mary Thorpe

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Father Ted(1995)

    Show 24 episodes · as Mrs. Doyle

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Denise

  • Far and Away(1992)

    as Prostitute

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Troubles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 2 episodes · as Nurse

  • French & Saunders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Enthusiastic Fan

  • The Playboy of the Western World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Honor Blake

  • Coronation Street(1960)

    Show 7 episodes · as Maggie Driscoll

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all shows

  • Gameface (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Marcella's Mum

  • Sweet Delusion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Janet

  • TV to go (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 60 titles, 57 of them dated from 1960 to 2025; peak year 2021.

Biggest box office

Last Night in Soho (2021)

$23M worldwide

Highest rated

Father Ted (1995)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

Last Night in Soho (2021)

Film career

19602025

Peak 2021 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting60 of 60: 60 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score64th

By decade

1960s1 · acting1980s3 · acting1990s10 · acting2000s18 · acting2010s14 · acting2020s11 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 9 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Pauline McLynn's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 57th percentile, the median of all 21; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 49th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 32 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 32 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser18
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

Man and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps (2024)

90th percentile spread · 25% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Father Ted (1995)

Midcredits 96th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 70/100 in their films, across 12 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 47. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Pauline McLynn's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 30 · mildMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 52 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 54 · moderateMedian of all films: 36

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Pauline McLynn work with?

People who share at least 2 of Pauline McLynn's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; James Flynn shares the most, 3.

Actors

Cinematographers

Producers