Irish actor Barry Ward, known for roles in Bad Sisters and The End of the F***ing World, recently participated in the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. He joined to introduce his film Everybody Digs Bill Evans, a co-production involving the U.S., U.K., and Ireland. Ward, who has attended the festival for multiple years, shared insights about his career during a chat with THR.
Ward’s involvement in the festival extended beyond this project. In 2023, he served as a jury member alongside Slovenian director Olmo Omerzu, who later cast him in his film Ungrateful Beings. The two completed the film just over a year after their initial meeting at the festival, which premiered at San Sebastian.
This year, Ward attended the festival with Everybody Digs Bill Evans, a documentary fiction film directed by Grant Gee. The cast includes Norwegian actor Anders Danielsen Lie, Laurie Metcalf, Bill Pullman, and Ward himself. He portrayed Bill Evans’ older brother, Harry, in a supporting role. During a screening at the festival, Ward discussed the film and his upcoming ventures.
Courtesy of Shane O’Connor/Cowtown Pictures Limited/Hot Property
Ward described his experience auditioning for the role as intense. He received a one-page treatment outlining the film’s premise and setting, which he found compelling. “I worked harder on that audition than I have on many others,” he said. His character, Harry Evans, is portrayed as emotionally conflicted, torn between protecting his younger brother and making a difficult decision to send him away. Ward emphasized the character’s internal struggle, noting the complexity of their bond and the challenges of depicting mental health issues authentically.
To prepare for the role, Ward utilized a biographical pamphlet written by Harry Evans’ wife, which detailed their relationship and shared passions for jazz and golf. He also studied a YouTube clip of a black-and-white TV episode featuring Harry and Bill Evans discussing music. While the footage provided some inspiration, Ward and the director chose to create a more original interpretation, focusing on the characters’ emotional dynamics rather than strict biographical accuracy.
Courtesy of Film Servis Festival Karlovy Vary
Ward’s role in Everybody Digs Bill Evans was a brief but meaningful experience. He highlighted the film’s focus on jazz legend Bill Evans and the challenges of balancing biographical elements with creative freedom. “It had the best of both worlds,” he remarked.
In addition to film, Ward is involved in the Netflix series Grown Ups, an Irish family drama based on a novel by Marian Keyes. He plays one of the brothers in a dysfunctional family, alongside actors like Robert Sheehan, Aisling Bea, and Sarah Greene. The series explores complex family dynamics and is being edited for release.
Ward also discussed his current film project, The Flying Mountain, directed by Nicolas Steiner. The story follows two Irish brothers traveling to Tibet to find a mythical location. Shot in Nepal and Switzerland, the film features a strong creative team and stunning visuals. Ward emphasized the physical demands of the producción, including extensive climbing sequences.
Reflecting on Ireland’s growing film industry, Ward noted the expansion of production infrastructure. “We are in a golden age,” he said, acknowledging the rise of international talent and the evolution of Irish cinema from a limited industry to a thriving one.