Northern Irish actor Ian Beattie began his acting career in 1995, coming into contact with the entertainment industry at a young age. Together with his father, he traveled through Northern Ireland as part of a circus. He attended Methodist College Belfast and then studied at Queens University Belfast. After graduating, he worked as a barrister from 1989 before going on to study drama at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

He became known to an international audience through the role of Antigonus in Oliver Stone’s film Alexander and the Kingsguard Meryn Trant in the hit series Game of Thrones, which he played from 2011 to 2015. This was followed by further appearances in British and American film and television productions, including The Tudors, Vikings, Doctor Who and Quantico.