Danielle Galligan is an Irish actress and theatre maker who rose to international fame for her portrayal of Nina Zenik in the Netflix fantasy series Shadow and Bone. Born in South Dublin, she trained at The Lir Academy and has steadily built a career spanning stage, film, and high-profile television productions including Game of Thrones and the upcoming House of Guinness.
With a growing social media following and recognition as a European Shooting Star at the Berlinale, Galligan represents a new wave of Irish talent making an impact on global screens. Her work blends dramatic depth with a natural charisma that has made her a fan favourite among genre audiences.
Who is Danielle Galligan?
1 December 1992 (age 32)
Irish
Shadow and Bone, Game of Thrones
@daniellegalligan_ (375K followers)
Key Insights
- Danielle Galligan is an Irish actress who gained international recognition for her role as Nina Zenik in Netflix’s Shadow and Bone.
- She appeared in a minor role in Game of Thrones (Season 8) as a Stark soldier.
- She is represented by Curtis Brown and LBM Actors, indicating a strong professional network.
- Her Instagram presence is significant (375K followers), suggesting a strong personal brand.
- She is set to appear in the upcoming series House of Guinness, expanding her portfolio.
Snapshot Facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Danielle Galligan |
| Date of Birth | 1 December 1992 |
| Age | 32 (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Profession | Actress, Theatre Maker |
| Notable Role | Nina Zenik (Shadow and Bone) |
| Other Notable Work | Game of Thrones, Lakelands, Kin |
| Upcoming Project | House of Guinness |
| Agent | Curtis Brown / LBM Actors |
| @daniellegalligan_ (375K followers) |
What is Danielle Galligan Known For?
Galligan’s most recognised role is Nina Zenik, the charming and powerful Heartrender from the Shadow and Bone universe. She played the character across 12 episodes between 2021 and 2023, earning a devoted fanbase for her portrayal of the Grisha soldier. Beyond that flagship role, she has appeared in several other high-profile productions.
Shadow and Bone
In the Netflix adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels, Galligan brought Nina Zenik to life with wit and emotional depth. Her on-screen chemistry with co-star Callahan Skogman (Matthias Helvar) was widely praised and led to off-screen speculation about their relationship.
Game of Thrones
She played Sarra, a Stark soldier, in a single episode of Season 8 titled “The Last of the Starks”. Though a minor part, it placed her within one of television’s most celebrated fantasy series.
House of Guinness
In 2025, she joined the cast of House of Guinness, a historical drama about the famous brewing dynasty. She portrays Lady Olivia Hedges White, an Irish aristocrat who marries into the Guinness family. The series is expected to stream on Netflix.
Galligan was nominated for an Irish Film & Television Award (IFTA) for her role as Mallory Markum in the 2023 series Obituary, underscoring her growing acclaim in the Irish industry.
Kin and Other Television Work
She appeared in all seasons of the Irish crime drama Kin (2021–2023) playing Molly, a pharmacist. Her other TV credits include Krypton and The Cold Courage, both released in 2020, and the 2024 film Spilt Milk.
What Movies and TV Shows Has Danielle Galligan Been In?
Television Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Game of Thrones | Sarra | 1 episode (Season 8) |
| 2020 | Krypton | Daiga Mednis | 3 episodes |
| 2020 | The Cold Courage | Daiga Mednis | 3 episodes |
| 2021–2023 | Shadow and Bone | Nina Zenik | 12 episodes |
| 2021–2023 | Kin | Molly / Pharmacist | 4 episodes |
| 2023 | Obituary | Mallory Markum | 6 episodes; IFTA nomination |
| 2025 | The Walsh Sisters | Claire Walsh | 6 episodes |
| 2025 | House of Guinness | Lady Olivia Hedges White | 6 episodes |
Film Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Strangers in the Park | Unspecified | Short film; festival awards |
| 2021 | Who We Love | Naomi | Short film |
| 2022 | Lakelands | Grace | Award for performance with co-star |
| 2022 | Every Five Miles | Saoirse | TV Movie |
Theatre Work
Galligan began her career on stage after graduating from The Lir Academy in 2015. She performed in numerous Dublin plays and co-founded the experimental theatre group Chaos Factory in 2018, whose first show was Kiss Kiss Slap. She also worked with the group Murmuration on Summertime and participated in a modern adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey called Gym Swim Party.
Galligan’s theatre background has influenced her on-screen performances. She once described herself as a “shadeless flirt” and “hedonist” who loves life – traits that shine through in her portrayal of Nina Zenik.
Who is Danielle Galligan Dating?
The question of Galligan’s romantic life often centres on her co-star Callahan Skogman, with whom she shared intense on-screen chemistry in Shadow and Bone. The two have matching tattoos, a fact widely noted by fans. However, neither has publicly confirmed a romantic relationship. Official sources and interviews do not address any current partner, and Galligan keeps her private life largely out of the public eye.
Claims that Galligan is dating Callahan Skogman remain unconfirmed. While they have matching tattoos and are close friends, no public statement from either party supports a romantic relationship.
Where Can You Find Danielle Galligan Online?
Galligan maintains an active presence on Instagram under the handle @daniellegalligan_, where she has accumulated over 375,000 followers. Her bio reads: “☘️ Tactless, reckless, confused. @curtisbrowntalent / @lbm_actors”. She does not have a verified public Twitter account. In 2025, she was recognised as a European Shooting Star at the Berlinale, further raising her profile.
How Did Danielle Galligan’s Career Progress?
- 1992 – Born on 1 December in Ireland.
- 2015 – Graduated from The Lir Academy and began stage work.
- 2018 – Co-founded theatre group Chaos Factory.
- 2019 – Appeared in Game of Thrones (Season 8).
- 2021 – Cast as Nina Zenik in Netflix’s Shadow and Bone.
- 2022 – Starred in the film Lakelands.
- 2023 – Nominated for an IFTA for Obituary.
- 2024 – Cast in House of Guinness and The Walsh Sisters.
Does Danielle Galligan Have a Sister? And Other Uncertainties
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born 1 December 1992 in South Dublin, Ireland. | Whether she has a sister is not confirmed by any official source. |
| Trained at The Lir Academy (graduated 2015). | Her net worth is not publicly disclosed. |
| Known for Nina Zenik in Shadow and Bone. | Relationship status with Callahan Skogman is unconfirmed. |
| Represented by Curtis Brown and LBM Actors. | Height listed as 5′5″ (1.65 m) on IMDB but not verified by other official sources. |
What is the Background of Danielle Galligan’s Career?
Galligan’s trajectory shows a steady rise from minor roles in major productions (Game of Thrones) to a lead role in a Netflix adaptation (Shadow and Bone). Her casting in House of Guinness indicates continued interest from high-profile producers. Her strong social media following suggests she has built a personal brand that extends beyond her acting roles. The lack of confirmed personal details – such as family and relationship status – is typical for actors who maintain privacy, but it creates a gap for fan speculation.
What Do Official Sources Say About Danielle Galligan?
Danielle Galligan (born 1 December 1992) is an Irish actress and theatre maker.
— Wikipedia
Danielle is an actor and writer, known for Shadow and Bone (2021), Game of Thrones (2011) and Lakelands (2022).
— IMDB
☘️ Tactless, reckless, confused. @curtisbrowntalent / @lbm_actors
— Instagram Bio
What’s Next for Danielle Galligan?
Galligan is currently involved in The Walsh Sisters (2025) and the highly anticipated House of Guinness, both streaming on Netflix. As of 2025, she continues to build on her reputation as one of Ireland’s most versatile and engaging young actors. For more on fellow Irish performers, see Louisa Harland – Biography, Career Facts and Personal Life and Barry Keoghan – Biography, Movies and Joker Role in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Danielle Galligan’s height?
Her height is not publicly listed on official sources.
Is Danielle Galligan on Twitter?
She does not have a verified public Twitter account; her primary social media is Instagram.
What is Danielle Galligan’s net worth?
Her net worth is not publicly disclosed.
Did Danielle Galligan do her own stunts in Shadow and Bone?
This has not been confirmed in interviews or official materials.
Is Danielle Galligan related to Callahan Skogman?
No, they are co-stars and close friends with matching tattoos, but no familial relationship exists.
Freddie Harry Cooper Bennett is a staff writer for DailyPressUK.co.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Whitmore and UK Managing Editor Eleanor Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.