big reveal
Who is Damien McKiernan? Mrs Brown’s Boys actor who plays Rory Brown who replaced Rory Cowan
The actor left the show after 26 years and his replacement was revealed during the Christmas Day special
MRS Brown’s Boys fans were given the first look at Rory Cowan’s replacement in the show's Christmas special last year.
The actor left the show after 26 years - here is the lowdown on the man who replaced him...
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Who is Damien McKiernan?
If you think you have not seen Damien McKiernan in many shows or movies before then you would be right.
That's largely because he used to be a professional snooker player!
During his playing days, he met Mrs Brown's Boys star Brendan O'Carroll and one day he got a call out of the blue asking if he would like to join the show.
Speaking to the he said: "I literally fell off the bed!
"I was so excited, I thought about it, discussed it with my wife and my two boys, my wife couldn't stop laughing and once she stopped she told me to go for it.
"So a few days later I texted Brendan and asked him if he could talk."
He also described the role as "surreal".
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How was it teased and how was the new character revealed?
In the sneak peek, the character – Rory Brown – has undergone extensive surgery, which will explain why his face has completely changed.
He is seen arriving home with his face bandaged up before removing them to reveal his new face – as his family look on.
But viewers don't get to see who the new actor is just yet.
Everyone seems rather impressed apart from matriarch Agnes, played by Brendan O’Carroll, who looks pretty shocked.
Speaking about the transition, Brendan told RTÉ Radio: "The reveal is very, very good.
"And what I love about this episode is that everybody goes, 'There's no change'.
"Except Agnes, who goes, 'It's not Rory!'"
Rory Cowan announced he was leaving the hit show in July of 2017, revealing he "wasn’t happy" doing it anymore.
He told the Irish Daily Mail at the time: "I hadn’t been happy working for the Mrs Brown’s Boys company for the last 18 months to two years.
"I feel that 26 years is enough so I decided it was time to go."
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What was the fan reaction?
While the reveal was built up and described as "very very good" Brendan O'Carroll, fans on Christmas Day were not quite so impressed.
One moaned: "Missed @1rorycowan on #MrsBrownsBoys last night Rory was my favourite character he’s just not the same now he’s not as funny with the new guy 😞" as another quizzed: "In all seriousness who is the new actor playing Rory???? #MrsBrownsBoys."
A third put: "Not impressed with the new Rory at all I'm sure he is a good guy but he is nothing like the original and I don't mean looks I mean fun and laughter and a great personality in the show what a shame."
Another commented: "Just watched last nights #MrsBrownsBoys....I know they had to do something after Rory left, but this new one is awful. Such a disappointment 🙁"
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