Michael Patrick, pioneering actor who starred in Blue Lights and Game of Thrones, dies aged 35 after motor neurone disease diagnosis

Actor and writer Michael Patrick has died at the age of 35, it has been confirmed.

The performer, who appeared on TV in the likes of Game of Thrones and Blue Lights, died on Tuesday (7 April) at NI Hospice. He had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2023.

Sharing the tragic news on Instagram, his wife Naomi Sheehan wrote: "Words can’t describe how broken-hearted we are.

"It’s been said more than once that Mick was an inspiration to everyone who was privileged enough to come into contact with him, not just in the past few years during his illness but in every day of his life.

"He lived a life as full as any human can live. Joy, abundance of spirit, infectious laughter. A titan of a ginger haired man."

On screen, Patrick appeared as a wildling rioter in the sixth season of HBO's hit fantasy series Game of Thrones. He also featured in Blue Lights, This Town and the BBC series My Left Nut, which he co-wrote alongside Oisín Kearney.

On stage, he appeared in numerous plays for the Royal Shakespeare Company including Measure for Measure and The Taming of the Shrew.

In 2024, he reimagined Richard III with Kearney, adapting the work with his own illness in mind.

He played the leading part in the Lyric Theatre Belfast production, which went on to earn him the prestigious Judges’ Award at The Stage Awards 2025.

Speaking to BBC News at the time about the adaptation, he said: "In Shakespeare’s version Richard III is deformed from birth. They found his skeleton in a car park and it looked like he had scoliosis.

"We changed it so that at the start of the play Richard gets news that he’s got a terminal illness, something like MND that’s going to get worse."

Lyric Theatre Belfast's executive producer Jimmy Fay paid tribute to Patrick following the news of his passing, writing in a statement: "These islands have lost a great artist, and the sky is brighter tonight with his star."

Fay said that Patrick, who was from Belfast, had been part of the Lyric family for many years.

"Mick showed great strength and dignity in light of his diagnosis MND," Fay added."He remained resilient and focused, creating dynamic work throughout his struggles.

"We at the Lyric pay tribute to his remarkable talent and send our deepest condolences to his wife Naomi, his mother and sisters, and all his friends, family and colleagues at this sad time."