Anthony Delaney (born 23 September 1983) is an Irish historian and actor. He is known for his roles in the RTÉ One soap opera Fair City (2015–2019) and the 2022 Acorn TV series Harry Wild. He co-hosts the History Hit podcast After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal with fellow historian Madeleine Pelling. His first book, Queer Georgians, was published in 2025.
Early life and education Delaney grew up in rural County Kilkenny. He trained in acting at London's Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, graduating in 2010. In 2022, Delaney completed a PhD in History at the University of Exeter.
Career Acting Delaney began his acting career in theatre; he starred in Colin Teevan's The Kingdom at the Soho Theatre in 2012. In 2015, Delaney joined the cast of the RTÉ One soap opera Fair City as Shane Cawley, a role he would play until 2019. He made his feature film debut in the 2019 Hellboy reboot. In 2022, he began playing in the Acorn TV detective series Harry Wild.
History Upon completing his PhD, Delaney became an Honorary Fellow at his alma mater the University of Exeter.
In October 2023, History Hit launched the podcast After Dark, which Delaney co-hosts with English historian Madeleine Pelling. Delaney and Pelling were jointly nominated for Best New Presenter at the 2024 Audio and Radio Industry Awards (ARIAs), while After Dark won Rookie of the Year at the 2024 True Crime Awards and was shortlisted for the Listeners' Choice Award at the 2025 British Podcast Awards.
Announced in 2023, Doubleday acquired the rights to publish Delaney's debut book Queer Georgians in 2025. It also had a North America release under the title Queer Enlightenments via Grove Atlantic. The book is based on Delaney's PhD.
Personal life Delaney lives in south east London with his husband.
Bibliography Queer Georgians: Hidden History of Lovers, Lawbreakers and Homemakers (2025)
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 2015–2019 Fair City Shane Cawley 77 episodes 2015 Penny Dreadful Opera Man Episode: "Above the Vaulted Sky" 2019 Hellboy Alice's father 2022–present Harry Wild Jordan McDonald Recurring role
Stage Year Title Role Notes 2010 Assassins Ensemble Union Theatre, London All-Male Iolanthe 2011 Northern Star Finborough Theatre, London Drama at Inish Michael 2012 The Kingdom Young Man Soho Theatre, London 2013 Liolà Villager National Theatre, London 2014 How Many Miles to Babylon? Alec Lyric Theatre, Belfast 2015 The 24 Hour Plays Abbey Theatre, Dublin
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