Young Actor Shines in Irish Film ‘The Lightkeeper’

Eight-year-vintage Seán Óg Hasson is experiencing a whirlwind of attention after landing a role in the new Irish-Canadian film, ‘The Lightkeeper’. The film, which premiered at the Dublin International Film Festival on February 21st, features a cast including Dominic Cooper, Sarah Gadon, Sarah Bolger, and Aidan Quinn.

A Chance Encounter Leads to a Film Role

Seán Óg’s involvement in the film was serendipitous. In September 2023, while visiting a pier in Culdaff with his family, they stumbled upon the film crew shooting scenes. A year later, the production team was seeking a young actor for flashback scenes depicting the lead character Seamus’s (played by Dominic Cooper) deceased wife and son.

Friends of Seán Óg’s mother, Dearbhla, suggested him for the part. Susan Miller explained that the production was looking for a boy around 4 to 6 years old with dark hair and brown eyes, and Seán Óg “just won them over completely, as he was just so naturally talented and had such a beautiful wee face.”

On Set Experience

Despite having no prior acting experience, Seán Óg was selected for the role after a video call and an in-person meeting with Sepia Films. He filmed approximately five scenes in locations around Culdaff and Malin Head, including McGuinness’s bar. He even had the opportunity to film scenes on a boat, an experience his mother described as nerve-wracking but enjoyable for her son.

Red Carpet Debut and Future Aspirations

At the Dublin International Film Festival, Seán Óg walked the red carpet alongside Sarah Bolger and Dominic Cooper. Cooper even complimented Seán Óg’s blazer, noting its similarity to his own. Dearbhla shared that seeing her son on screen was a profoundly moving experience.

While the experience has sparked an interest in drama for Seán Óg, his dedication to hurling remains unwavering. When a drama class clashed with his hurling schedule, he firmly told his mother, “Mammy, I could never deliver up my hurling.” During filming, he even brought his hurl to set.

About ‘The Lightkeeper’

Directed by Vic Sarin and written by Ciaran Creagh, ‘The Lightkeeper’ (as well known as ‘Cry from the Sea’) is set in Ireland in 1924. The film centers on Seamus Óg McGrinna, a lighthouse keeper grappling with loss and awaiting the mythical Each-Uisce (Water Horse). According to IMDb, his isolated existence is disrupted by the arrival of three individuals who change his life.