Meet Josh Finan, The Rising Star Leading The BBC’s Latest Drama

If you haven’t come across Josh Finan’s name just yet, trust us when we say you’ll soon be seeing him everywhere. Breaking through as Marco in BBC hit The Responder – for which he earned a BAFTA nomination – and since gathering credits across Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen and FX’s gripping Say Nothing, this 2025 Screen International Star of Tomorrow has a stellar 2026 ahead, beginning with leading a prime time BBC drama.

Based on Andy West’s memoir The Life Inside and adapted by Dennis Kelly, Finan stars as Dan in Waiting for the Out, a young philosopher who begins teaching a class at a men’s prison – before everything begins to unravel. And in February he will join Roisin Gallagher, Sinéad Keenan, Caoilfhionn Dunne, Emmett J. Scanlan and more in Lisa McGee’s much awaited return to screenwriting, How To Get To Heaven From Belfast.

We sat down with the rising star to find out more about Waiting for the Out, How To Get To Heaven From Belfast and what’s next on the horizon.

Q&A: Josh Finan

‘Initially I was quite daunted by the prospect of stepping up to a character like this.’ (© David Reiss)

Hi Josh, how’s life going at the moment?

Life’s good, thanks. I’ve just come back from a mad and wonderful trip up to the Arctic Circle on an Interrail pass. I got from St Pancras to Narvik, meeting a friend along the way, and stopping off at some beautiful places before arriving in Norway where we were greeted by the Northern Lights. Things aren’t always this interesting but you’ve caught me at a good time!

You are about to star in the new BBC series Waiting for the Out. Can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

Waiting for the Out follows Dan as he embarks on a new job: teaching philosophy in prison. Almost immediately he begins to be haunted by the spectre of his father who served time when Dan was growing up and was a particularly malevolent presence in his life. As the weeks go by, Dan battles jointly with the complications of the job itself and the mental crisis it provokes in him as he becomes certain he too will end up behind bars.

You’ve starred in so many fantastic series in a supporting role but this is your first leading role. How does it feel?

Initially I was quite daunted by the prospect of stepping up to a character like this, but I was relieved once filming got going that, actually, everything I’d learnt playing supporting roles was still applicable. I always like to turn up ready to play and give options, and despite the size of this role and how carefully Dennis Kelly had constructed him, I still felt very able to experiment and not feel like I had to get anything ‘right’.

You play Dan – how would you describe him?

What Dennis has done with the character of Dan is a real gift. He’s someone who seems like one thing – an ostensibly middle class, gentle, introspective, slightly nervous, ultimately quite likeable man who visits art galleries with his mum and wears pink shirts. Characters in the show presume to know him and make assumptions based on his outward appearance, but the truth is quite different. He is wrestling with the guilt he feels about the life he lives now versus one he feels like he escaped from, and this gives way to a whole multitude of feelings. He’s quick to panic, is liable to explode with rage, is obsessive and compulsive, and far less of a pushover than he may initially seem. In short, he is a gem of a character and I’m very grateful for the chance to try and do him justice.

‘Dan is a gem of a character.’ (Josh Finan as Dan in Waiting For The Out © BBC/Sister Pictures/Jessica Sansom)

What was it like playing him, and how did you get into character?

At first I saw a lot of myself in Dan and was expecting to bring to him an energy fairly consistent with my own. However it became quite clear (and I was guided in this discovery by the wonderful Jeanette Nordahl, who directed block one) that the experiences that have shaped Dan’s life are far more extreme than my own and would require digging quite deep into something that, for me, isn’t necessarily on the surface day to day. Quite a few times Jeanette would say ‘OK, great, now once again without the big smiles!’

It’s quite heavy material. What did it feel like to dig into?

It is heavy material, but bizarrely there is something quite gratifying about digging into it and trying to make sure we’re telling it right. We shot the scenes in the flat where Dan has panic attacks and stresses over his stove in the third week. They were taxing and quite emotionally draining, but it was the first time in the shoot where the character really clicked with me and I felt like we were onto something. It was hard work but felt gratifying to set his demons free like that, knowing that that’s what the story required.

What do you hope viewers take away from it?

I feel very lucky to be a part of a show that doesn’t prescribe its own meaning or hammer home a ‘message’ per se. So for that reason I’ve got to say I really don’t mind what people do or don’t take away! However one thing that was clear from the start of shooting was that this definitely wasn’t going to be flashy TV or TV that patronises its audience. Whether or not it works, I don’t know – but it was inspiring to be involved in something that was made with integrity and is brave enough to be its own thing. 

I run the risk of coming across a bit lofty now, but if there’s one thing I hope we can communicate it’s that there is room for television that rewards patient viewing, and it is possible to make a show that doesn’t presume its audience is watching other screens simultaneously.

You’ve also got How To Get To Heaven From Belfast coming up, written by Lisa McGee. How does it feel to be a part of that? 

I’m immensely proud of How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. It was a wonderful thing to work on –  I’ve admired Lisa’s work from afar and I’ve loved working with Mike Lennox in the past. Having now seen most of it, I think it really achieves all of its significant ambitions!

Anything you can tease about the series?

I can’t say much unfortunately, but it’s hilarious and moving and I genuinely think people are going to love it.

Any standout moments from filming?

It’s tough to narrow it down, but my first day of work was spent filming in a little hotel on the beautiful Antrim coast filming a scene in which I – not usually prone to corpsing – completely sabotaged most of the takes laughing at Ardal O’Hanlon.

Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past?

That’s a very tough question but there’s nothing quite like working with Emily Fairn who I’ve done two seasons of The Responder with. I’ve never known someone to so successfully give themselves over to imaginary circumstances. She has seemingly limitless reserves of empathy and is one of the most playful and alive actors I’ve ever met. If she ever reads this she will bully me mercilessly.

Which co-star did you learn the most from?

Perhaps an even tougher one so I’m going to cheat and give a few… Emily Fairn for the reasons above; Martin Freeman for his spontaneity and fearlessness; Alex Jennings for the jazz, the stamina, and his love of the greats; Tamsin Grieg for her precision and magnetism; Nadia Parkes for her unswerving pursuit of truth; Stephen Wight for being a genuine chameleon; Joseph Altin who I think is incapable of telling a lie; and Will Kelly who has reduced me to my knees with laughter more times than I can count.

What’s your dream role?

Role-wise I’m always quite willing to embrace a surprise. It’s more fun that way and also helps avoid shoehorning in something pre-prepared. However I think as a rule I’m usually on the look out for whatever is furthest away from what I’ve just done.

Do you get to spend much time at home?

I’ve worked in Liverpool a lot in the past couple of years. Both seasons of The Responder were shot there as was Waiting for the Out, which was lovely as it’s only a short trip over to my parents’ house.

Do you live in the town or the country? Which do you prefer?

I live in East London but love heading out into the countryside. I went to Sheffield Uni and still have pals there who I often escape to for walks in the Peak District.

‘I’m always quite willing to embrace a surprise.’ (© David Reiss)

What Josh Finan Is Loving Right Now

I’m currently watching… Joachim Trier was a significant influence on Joseph Charlton who I just did a short film with, so I’ve been going back through his films.

What I’m reading… Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… Hamnet

Favourite film of all time… Absolutely can’t make my mind up I’m afraid! 

Favourite song of all time… Oh god…. ‘Let it Be’?!

Band/singer I always have on repeat…  If I can’t decide, I’ll stick on Chaka Khan and go from there.

My ultimate cultural recommendation… A lifetime membership at the Prince Charles Cinema.

Cultural guilty pleasure… The All Things Butter videos.

Josh Finan stars in Waiting For The Out, premiering 9.30pm, Saturday 3 January on BBC One. All episodes will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.