Finnian Garbutt, the 28-year-old actor best known for his role as Police Constable Ryan Power in the BBC Northern Ireland drama Hope Street, has shared the heartbreaking news that he is entering the last stages of his life after a four-year battle with cancer. The announcement, made on social media on March 1, 2026, has prompted an outpouring of support from fans, colleagues, and the wider television community, as many reflect on Garbutt’s personal and professional achievements during his courageous fight.
Garbutt, who hails from Bangor, County Down, first noticed a lump behind his right ear toward the end of 2020. At the time, he dismissed it as an ingrown hair. It wasn’t until lockdown restrictions eased and his barber pointed out that the lump had grown substantially that he sought medical advice. In December 2021, at just 25 years old, Garbutt was diagnosed with Stage 3 malignant melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. According to BBC News, further tests revealed that the cancer had spread into his neck, leading to a grueling 12-hour surgery in February 2022. Surgeons removed the primary tumor and 75 lymph nodes from his face and neck, using skin from his left thigh to patch his skull.
Despite these intensive treatments, Garbutt’s battle with cancer was far from over. By August 2024, the disease had progressed to Stage IV, just two weeks before the birth of his daughter, Saoirse. In his candid Instagram post, Garbutt shared, “Over the last month or so I’ve been having quite a bit of pain in my back and hip. My cancer team admitted me the other day for observations and to do a few scans. Unfortunately the scans have shown that the cancer has progressed rapidly in my body and I am now entering the last stages of life.”
The actor explained his decision to go public, saying, “I’m putting this out there as it is really difficult to tell people individually and I hope now it’s in the open then I can enjoy the time with my amazing family and friends.” He expressed deep gratitude for the support he has received, adding, “Thank you to all that have reached out over the years and supported me and my family. If anyone wants to meet up for a pint, coffee or general bit of craic, please reach out and we can try to make it work.”
Garbutt’s journey with acting began long before his television career. He fell in love with the stage at age 14, inspired by the drama department at Bangor Grammar School. As he recalled to the Belfast Telegraph, “The drama department in Bangor Grammar school was so inspiring. They were bringing me to see plays, which is something I had never done before, and I remember being in the Lyric as a schoolboy, the feeling I had after the play, and thinking: ‘Flip, I would love to be up there.’ But it seemed so alien, just a dream.”
Garbutt nurtured his passion for performance through summer schemes at the Lyric Theatre and formal training at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where he graduated in July 2019. During his studies, he received the Emma Style Award and FinTru Theatre Bursary, accolades that recognized his talent and dedication. His stage credits include playing Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast and appearing in Youth Without God at The Coronet Theatre in London.
On screen, Garbutt’s star quickly rose. After a stint in the BBC medical drama Casualty, he joined the cast of Hope Street in 2023. The series, filmed in Donaghadee, County Down, follows the police department and residents of the fictional Port Devine. Garbutt’s character, the young and earnest Ryan Power, became a fan favorite, with his storylines often placing him at the heart of the show’s drama. According to Metro, Garbutt has appeared in 30 episodes across five seasons, making him one of the longest-serving cast members amid several changes in the ensemble.
His impact on the show has not gone unnoticed. A BBC spokesperson told BBC News, “Finnian has been such an important part of Hope Street’s success. He is very much in our thoughts.” Fellow cast members, such as Ciaran McMenamin, have also paid tribute, with McMenamin writing, “That is how I will remember you kid.”
Beyond television, Garbutt took on the lead role of Raymond in the film Housejackers, which premiered at the Belfast Film Festival in 2025. His ability to balance a flourishing career with personal milestones is all the more remarkable given the challenges he faced. As he reflected in his statement, “Since being diagnosed four years ago I have achieved so many of my life goals – 30 episodes on a TV show, being the lead in a movie that should be out soon, buying my own house, marrying my best friend and becoming a father to the most incredible baby girl who never fails to make me smile.”
Garbutt’s personal life has been a source of strength throughout his illness. He married his partner, Louise Agnew, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Saoirse, in August 2024, shortly after his Stage IV diagnosis. The joy of fatherhood and family is evident in his words, as he described his daughter as “the most incredible baby girl who never fails to make me smile.”
In addition to his artistic achievements, Garbutt has become a passionate advocate for cancer awareness and early detection. He has worked with Action Cancer and promoted the charity’s Peer Mentoring Programme, describing it as a “complete gamechanger” in navigating his own journey. He has consistently urged men to check their skin regularly and not to “bury your head in the sand.” Garbutt’s openness about his diagnosis and treatment has helped destigmatize discussions around cancer, especially for young men, and encouraged others to seek help early.
Even as he faces unimaginable challenges, Garbutt’s message remains one of gratitude, hope, and a determination to make the most of the time he has left. His story has resonated deeply with fans and colleagues alike, serving as a reminder of the strength that can emerge in the face of adversity. As the curtain falls on this chapter of his life, Finnian Garbutt’s legacy as an actor, advocate, and beloved friend will endure, both on screen and off.