Ryan O'Doherty

Born as Ryan James Doherty (26 March 1995), Ryan O'Doherty is an actor, writer and multi media artist. His parents were Met Police Officers and his father also served in the Territorial British Army until he retired at the rank of Major. His father is Irish and his mother is English although she has a heritage in Golden Age Pirates and Romani Gypsy travellers. Ryan is the descendant of the notorious pirate, Captain Benjamin Hornigold. Hornigold helped establish the "Republic of Pirates" in Nassau. By 1717 he was the captain of one of the most heavily armed ships in the region, The Ranger. It was at this time he appointed Edward Teach, best known in history books as "Blackbeard", as his second-in-command. Mindful not to attack British-led ships during his career, Hornigold's crew eventually grew tired of the tactic and he was voted out as captain. In December 1718, after a mutiny and being left to die, Hornigold accepted a King's Pardon for his crimes and became a pirate hunter, pursuing his former allies on behalf of the Governor of the Bahamas, Woodes Rogers and the King. Ryan trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. He says he never intended to be an actor. He has a great interest in morality and human psychology which lead him to study Philosophy, Ethics and Psychology at school until he dropped out at the age of seventeen. He says he never fit in at school, he struggled academically and he didn't have many friends. Whilst between jobs, he saw a casting at a local theatre, he auditioned, landed the part and stepped on stage for the first time. During his final year at Central, Ryan was diagnosed with dyslexia. Ryan has won awards and scholarships for his talent across the arts including his song writing, painting, film making and acting. He won best new comer at the LA Indie Film Festival for his self directed short, "ANKYLOGLOSSIA". Beyond his creative work and passions, he is an advocate for mental health and well-being.