Dublin actor Barry Ward on his new role in ITV’s ‘Protection’, starring in the adaptation of award-winning Irish novel ‘Trespasses’, working with Sharon Horgan and how he deals with interest in his private life Barry Ward as DS Paul Brandice in Protection (Photo: ITV) Not many actors can say that being the school messer landed them a role working with an esteemed screen director like Michael Winterbottom. But that’s exactly what happened to Blanchardstown native Barry Ward, who landed his first role at just 13 almost entirely by chance. As a pupil in St Declan’s College in Cabra, Ward was called out of class by BBC casting directors who were looking for, well, gregarious, types.
After rounds of auditions and improv sessions, the then-teenager eventually found himself cast opposite stalwarts like Ger Ryan and Seán McGinley on the BBC drama Family in 1994, which was written by Roddy Doyle..
