Here are our top ten Molony Moments of 2017!

1. Damien’s Blood Donation Campaign

Damien continued his commitment to ‘save a life’ and ‘give blood’ in 2017. He made two donations this year, on 17 February and 28 August while continuing to inspire others to do the same.

2. Bottle Man BBC Radio 4
On 27 February Damien returned to BBC Radio 4 reading darkly comic tale Bottle Man by Nicole Flattery, part of a series of specially commissioned short stories celebrating the work of Ireland’s most exciting writers. Our fave actor delivered a unmissable and enthralling performance. (And The Soundhouse Studio gave us a treat of a photo below.)

Damien recording Bottle Man. Photo credit The Soundhouse Ltd

4. The Current War
On 5 March Damien revealed via his Spotlight page that he would be appearing as the character Bourke Cockran in The Current War. Based in historical fact, we were thrilled at the prospect of our fave actor appearing in a period drama and had fun researching the figure he would be playing. The film world premiered at Toronto International Film festival, but the theatrical released was delayed due to revelations later in the year about the Weinstein Company. Despite the shadow cast over the whole project, we very much hope to see Damien in the film in 2018.

3. Doctor Who
Damien was once again a forerunner in the favourites to play the next Doctor Who, with show writer and Being human creator Toby Whithouse naming him as his top choice on 20 March. While he will not be playing the next Doctor, our fave actor was also a huge favourite in the press and the overwhelming support from him in following months was an exciting time.

5. ‘GameFace’ Casting
Thrilling news came on 21 March, when Damien was announced as cast in Roisin Conaty’s brand new comedy GameFace. First epic behind the scenes photos of Damien and Roisin Conaty gave us a tantalising glimpse at what was to come!

6. ‘King Lear’ Casting
Even more thrilling news arrived 20 July, when Damien was announced as cast in Chichester Festival Theatre production King Lear. The play had a limited run from 22 September to 28 October, when our fave actor once again appeared on stage with the legendary Sir Ian McKellen, alongside an incredible cast, including former crashing co-star Jonathan Bailey.

Photo credit © Manuel Harlan

7. Doodle Day
Damien continued to support important charities in 2017, taking part in a celebrity auction for Epilepsy Action’s National Doodle Day 22 September.

8. ‘GameFace’ Series 1
Damien returned to our TV screens in 2017 in GameFace series 1. The six episode series was a delightful weekly treat From the 12 October – 9 November on E4. His character Jon proved to be one our favourites yet, and Roisin Conaty’s comedy – a brilliantly written, hilarious gem of a moreish comedy, with an all-star cast – was our highlight of the year. Read the DMF review with our top ten Damien ‘GameFace’ moments here!

9. ‘The Effect’ and ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore’ radio plays coming soon!
In December we were truly excited to learn Damien will be appearing in two Drama on 3 radio productions in the new Year. Playing the male lead in both, alongside Jessie Buckley, the first is a radio production of John Ford play Tis Pity She’s A Whore, which airs Sunday 7 January 2018. This will not be the first time Damien has played Giovanni, having appeared in the stage production at West Yorkshire Playhouse in 2011 (where incidentally he was noticed by a casting director for his role as Hal in Being Human). The following Sunday 14 January Damien stars as Tristan Frey in the first radio production ever of Lucy Prebble’s award-winning play The Effect.

10. DMF & Damien ‘King Lear Christmas Charity Prize Draw’ for Age UK
With Damien’s generous help, we were once again able raise money for an important charity this year. Damien donated a rare prise for us to give away in the DMF & Damien Molony King Lear Christmas Charity Prize Draw – a King Lear programme signed by him and every single cast member, including Sir Ian McKellen!

The draw ran from 27 November – 17 December and we managed to fundraise £445 for Age UK. Huge thanks to Damien, the cast of King Lear and all the wonderful fans who took part.

There were many other Molony Moments of the year, and trying to keep it to a top ten is no easy thing. So, please allow me to take a liberty, and add one more.

Damien’s Christmas card
Lastly but by no means leastly, Damien (and Roisin Conaty!) loved the DMF GameFace inspired Christmas card, and your humble webmistress’s year was made.

Thank you to all readers and fellow Molonians everywhere for sharing another ‘year of the DaMo’ with us. And thank you to Damien, who continues to share his sparkling talent for us all to enjoy.

Here’s to 2018. Happy New Year!

What were your Molony Moments of 2017? Come and tell us here!