Dublin-born actress Aisling Sharkey is experiencing a life-changing moment in the global spotlight as a cast member of the hit Apple TV+ series "Ted Lasso." Sharkey, 25, portrays Niamh Harrigan, a tenacious Irish footballer on AFC Richmond's new women's team, the Lady Greyhounds, in the show's fourth season.
"Ted Lasso," created by and starring Jason Sudeikis, has garnered significant critical acclaim, including multiple Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series, and cultivated a devoted international following. Sharkey admitted that while she understood the show's popularity, she underestimated its profound impact on viewers. "People really love it in a way that it's important to them," she stated.
Her character, Niamh Harrigan, is described as a formidable presence on the pitch. Sharkey revealed that she drew inspiration for Niamh from two prominent Irish sports figures: footballer Katie McCabe and former Manchester United captain Roy Keane. "She's formidable and that's what really appealed to me about her," Sharkey said of the character.
Preparation for the role involved an intense three-week boot camp, which Sharkey described as akin to military training. "It was great craic, but they didn’t take it easy on us," she recalled. The actress also noted the strong camaraderie among the female cast members, highlighting Hannah Waddingham, who plays AFC Richmond owner Rebecca Welton, as a significant influence. "She’s a force!" Sharkey exclaimed, describing Waddingham's presence as intoxicating and her personal philosophy of not diminishing oneself for others as a powerful lesson.
Sharkey's journey to "Ted Lasso" was not immediate. After initially accepting a role in a touring production of "Mamma Mia," she turned it down based on a premonition, a decision that proved fortuitous when she received the call for "Ted Lasso" shortly thereafter. "Genuinely, it’s actually indescribable, when you get a phone call like that," she said. "It changes the course of your life."
The financial success from the show has had a significant impact on her family, as she comes from a non-performing background. "The money from this show has done so much for my family," Sharkey shared. "We don’t come from money, I don’t come from performers. It’s so much bigger than me."
Beyond her "Ted Lasso" success, Sharkey is also committed to fostering artistic talent in her native Ireland. She is a patron of the newly founded Irish National Academy of the Arts (INAA), established by her former teacher Rory Hughes. The academy aims to provide young Irish performers with professional training opportunities, addressing what Sharkey identifies as a gap in access to such education within Ireland compared to countries like Britain. "Ireland has never had a talent problem – as a country, we are a country of incredible artists," she asserted. "The missing ingredient, she believes, is access."
Sharkey began her performing arts training early, leaving conventional schooling after her Junior Certificate to attend a full-time college. At 14, she secured a role in the BBC series "Heirs of the Night," which involved filming across Europe. Reflecting on her adolescence, she noted the unusual circumstances, including experiencing her first relationship and drink while on set without her parents.
Looking ahead, Sharkey is keen to produce her own work and champion women's stories. "So often, as women, we wait for opportunities, whereas I see so many men less qualified than me doing what I should be," she stated, expressing a desire to move past perfectionism and actively create. She also expressed enthusiasm for a potential fifth season of "Ted Lasso," though she noted that "we'll have to wait and see."