The Last Rifleman brings together a diverse ensemble of actors led by Pierce Brosnan in a story inspired by real events. The 2023 British drama centers on a World War II veteran whose journey to commemorate D-Day forms the emotional backbone of the narrative.
Directed by Terry Loane and written by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the film features performers from across the British Isles and beyond. Several cast members bring considerable experience to their roles, while others offer fresh faces to the production.
This comprehensive guide details every actor who appears in the film, from the leading roles to the smallest supporting parts.
Who Stars in The Last Rifleman?
Pierce Brosnan
Terry Loane
2023
Drama/War
Key Cast Insights
- Pierce Brosnan portrays Artie Crawford, a WWII veteran who escapes his care home to attend the 75th D-Day anniversary in France.
- The film marked John Amos’s final acting role before his death in August 2024.
- Louis Gossett Jr. was originally cast but recast with John Amos for reasons not publicly disclosed.
- Jürgen Prochnow plays Friedrich Mueller, representing the German perspective in the story.
- Clémence Poésy brings international experience to her role as Juliette Bellamy.
- Several Northern Irish actors appear in supporting capacities, reflecting the story’s setting.
- James Keating plays the younger version of Pierce Brosnan’s character.
Cast Snapshot
| Actor | Role | Notable For |
|---|---|---|
| Pierce Brosnan | Artie Crawford | Lead; WWII veteran and protagonist |
| Clémence Poésy | Juliette Bellamy | Key supporting role |
| John Amos | Lincoln Jefferson Adams | Final film role before passing |
| Jürgen Prochnow | Friedrich Mueller | German character portrayal |
| Ian McElhinney | Tom Malcolmson | Supporting role |
| Desmond Eastwood | Tony McCann | Supporting role |
| Claire Rafferty | Vicky Tedjury | Supporting role |
Supporting Cast and Key Roles
The Northern Ireland Ensemble
The film draws heavily from talent rooted in Northern Ireland, where the story originates. Desmond Eastwood plays Tony McCann in a supporting capacity, while Claire Rafferty appears as Vicky Tedjury. Ian McElhinney portrays Tom Malcolmson, bringing his extensive experience from television and film to the production.
Samuel Bottomley takes on the role of Rory, contributing to the ensemble’s younger contingent. The supporting cast also includes Maggie Cronin as Maggie Crawford and Geraldine McAlinden as Olive Buckley.
John Amos appeared in The Last Rifleman as Lincoln Jefferson Adams. This role became his final film appearance before his death in August 2024. Originally, Louis Gossett Jr. had been cast in the same role before being recast.
Character Roles Across the Film
Sarah Naudi plays Doctor Marceau, while James Keating portrays the younger version of Artie Crawford, enabling the film to show flashbacks to the character’s WWII service. Kandy Rohmann appears as Melanie Adams, and Jonny Everett plays a Captain in the Royal Ulster Rifles.
Ewens Abid takes the role of Raphael Dubois, and Stella McCusker appears as Maggie Crawford in what may represent a duplicate casting across different scenes or sequences.
Full Cast List for The Last Rifleman
The complete cast encompasses 22 performers across lead, supporting, and minor categories. Sources show some variation in role listings, particularly for secondary characters.
Minor Supporting Roles
Several actors appear in smaller parts throughout the film. Steve Gunn plays a Dublin Bus Driver, while Dylan Craig appears as a Chef. Chris McCurry takes the role of a Laundry Van Driver, and Stephen Ball portrays a Connolly Station Official.
Joseph Loane appears as Charlie Lennon, and Céleste Kergall plays Sophie in minor capacities. The full supporting cast includes these performers alongside the more prominently billed actors.
Barry Keoghan is not listed in any official cast credits for The Last Rifleman. Multiple sources including Wikipedia, Elcinema, and Fandango confirm his absence from the production.
Complete Roster by Source
| Actor | Role | Source Confirmation |
|---|---|---|
| Pierce Brosnan | Artie Crawford | Wikipedia, Elcinema, Movie Insider |
| Clémence Poésy | Juliette Bellamy | Wikipedia, Movie Insider, Fandango |
| John Amos | Lincoln Jefferson Adams | Wikipedia, Elcinema, Movie Insider |
| Jürgen Prochnow | Friedrich Mueller | Wikipedia, Elcinema, Movie Insider |
| Desmond Eastwood | Tony McCann | Wikipedia, Elcinema, Fandango |
| Claire Rafferty | Vicky Tedjury | Elcinema, Fandango |
| Ian McElhinney | Tom Malcolmson | Wikipedia, Fandango |
| Samuel Bottomley | Rory | Wikipedia, Fandango |
| Maggie Cronin | Maggie Crawford | Fandango |
| Sarah Naudi | Doctor Marceau | Elcinema, Fandango |
| Geraldine McAlinden | Olive Buckley | Elcinema, Fandango |
Casting and Production Timeline
The casting process for The Last Rifleman unfolded over approximately three years before the film’s premiere.
- September 2020: Project announced with Pierce Brosnan confirmed as lead.
- November 2020: Louis Gossett Jr. and Jürgen Prochnow added to the cast.
- Late 2020: Louis Gossett Jr. recast; John Amos joined the production.
- 2023: Filming completed by October.
- November 5, 2023: Film premiered on Sky Cinema in the UK.
- November 8, 2023: Limited theatrical release in the United States.
Confirmed Cast Versus Rumors
The production generated considerable online speculation regarding various actors. Official casting records provide clear documentation of who actually appears in the finished film.
| Established Information | Unverified or Clarified |
|---|---|
| Pierce Brosnan leads as Artie Crawford | Barry Keoghan: NOT in the film despite online speculation |
| John Amos appears as Lincoln Jefferson Adams | Louis Gossett Jr.: originally cast but recast before filming |
| Film marked John Amos’s final role | Recast reasons for Gossett/Amos swap: not publicly disclosed |
| Jürgen Prochnow plays Friedrich Mueller | |
| Clémence Poésy stars as Juliette Bellamy |
Behind the Scenes: Crew Contributions
Director Terry Loane previously worked on Vanilla Gorilla and Sisters before helming The Last Rifleman. Kevin Fitzpatrick wrote the screenplay, drawing inspiration from the true story of D-Day veteran Bernard Jordan, whose own unauthorized trip to Normandy formed the basis for the narrative.
The production team includes producers Katy Jackson and John Leslie, with executive producers Mark Huffam, Geraldine Hughes, and Kevin Jackson among others. Stephen Warbeck composed the score, while Mark McCauley served as cinematographer and John Walters edited the film.
Michael Hooley handled casting, assembling the ensemble that brings the story to life across its 94-minute runtime. The film’s connection to actual D-Day commemorations provides historical grounding for the fictional narrative.
Summary
The Last Rifleman features Pierce Brosnan in the lead role alongside a supporting cast that includes Clémence Poésy, John Amos, Jürgen Prochnow, and several Northern Irish performers. The film represents John Amos’s final acting work and draws from Bernard Jordan’s real-life story of a WWII veteran who made an unauthorized journey to France for D-Day commemorations.
The production brings together actors from diverse backgrounds, with the Northern Irish ensemble providing strong regional representation. From the established international cast to the newer faces in supporting roles, each performer contributes to the emotional weight of the narrative.
Who plays the lead in The Last Rifleman?
Pierce Brosnan plays the lead role of Artie Crawford, a WWII veteran who escapes his Northern Ireland care home to attend the 75th D-Day anniversary.
Is Barry Keoghan in The Last Rifleman?
No, Barry Keoghan does not appear in The Last Rifleman. Multiple official sources confirm his absence from the cast.
Who was originally cast instead of John Amos?
Louis Gossett Jr. was originally cast in the role that John Amos ultimately played. The reason for the recasting has not been publicly disclosed.
What was John Amos’s role in the film?
John Amos portrayed Lincoln Jefferson Adams in The Last Rifleman, marking his final film appearance before his death in August 2024.
How many actors appear in the full cast?
The complete cast includes 22 performers, ranging from lead actors to those in minor supporting roles.
When was The Last Rifleman released?
The film premiered on Sky Cinema on November 5, 2023, with a limited US theatrical release on November 8, 2023.