The Real Reason Why These Actors Left Mrs. Brown’s Boys: Behind the Laughter, Tension, and Heartbreak

Mrs. Brown’s Boys—the wild, chaotic sitcom that became a beloved part of British and Irish television—has been making audiences laugh for over a decade. Brendan O’Carroll’s creation brought the outrageous matriarch Agnes Brown to life, alongside her dysfunctional yet lovable family. Behind the scenes, however, the show’s family dynamic began to crack as several key actors walked away, leaving fans to wonder why.

In this behind-the-scenes story, we uncover the real reasons why Rory Cowan, Gary Hollywood, Fiona O’Carroll, Martin Delaney, and Damian McKieran quietly left the show. From creative burnout to pay disputes and personal struggles, their exits reveal the difficult truths behind the laughter.

The Birth of Mrs. Brown’s Boys: A Family Built on Love… and Tension

In the early 1990s, Brendan O’Carroll created a stage play about Agnes Brown, a sharp-tongued, foul-mouthed Irish matriarch. When the actress initially hired to play the role failed to show up for a live performance, O’Carroll decided to step into the role himself. This decision would change his life and the course of comedy history.

Mrs. Brown’s Boys quickly became a stage phenomenon, and by 2011, it was brought to television. The show’s unpredictable energy, breaking the fourth wall, and leaving bloopers in the final cut, made it a unique hit. But as the show grew in success, so did the pressure on its cast and crew.

What started as a small family affair quickly morphed into a massive comedy empire, with arena tours, Christmas specials, books, and a movie. With all this success came expectations—and as the years went on, those expectations began to take a toll on the core cast.

Rory Cowan: The First Crack in the Family

For many fans, Rory Cowan was the heart of Mrs. Brown’s Boys. His portrayal of Rory Brown, the flamboyant, witty son of Agnes, brought charm and humor to the show. Rory had been a part of Brendan O’Carroll’s world for decades, even before the show made it to television.

Originally, Rory had started as O’Carroll’s publicist, but when an actor dropped out of a tour, O’Carroll asked Rory to step in. He never left, becoming an integral part of the Mrs. Brown’s Boys family for 26 years.

However, by 2017, Rory had reached a breaking point. Despite his success on stage and screen, the endless touring, rehearsals, and travel had taken a toll. He confided in O’Carroll, “I hadn’t been happy for the last 18 months to 2 years.” The emotional strain, coupled with his mother’s failing health, led him to a difficult decision: he quietly walked away after finishing a performance at the O2 Arena.

When his departure was announced, fans were stunned. O’Carroll publicly praised Rory, calling him a “legend” and comparing his exit to Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Manchester United. But for Rory, the decision was about more than legacy—it was about peace. After 26 years of constant laughter, he was ready for silence.

Gary Hollywood: The Pay Dispute That Shattered the Illusion

If Rory Cowan’s departure was quiet, Gary Hollywood’s exit was loud, public, and painful. For nearly two decades, Gary had played Dino Doyle, the sharp-tongued, stylish hairdresser and partner of Rory Brown. Together, they became one of the show’s most beloved duos, portraying a same-sex couple on mainstream British television with warmth and humor.

But in 2020, everything changed. A pay dispute erupted between Gary Hollywood and Damian McKieran (who replaced Rory Cowan as Rory Brown). Both actors discovered they were being paid less than other cast members, including Brendan O’Carroll and Jennifer Gibney. When Gary raised his concerns, he was informed that his role in the Christmas specials would be reduced to just one episode.

Feeling disrespected, Gary decided to quit. The 2020 Christmas and New Year specials were filmed without him or McKieran, and the absence of Dino and Rory left fans confused and disappointed. It wasn’t just a casting change; it felt like the heart of the show was missing.

Gary’s departure wasn’t just about money—it was about feeling undervalued after years of loyalty. The “family” dynamic that had been so central to Mrs. Brown’s Boys was shattered in the public eye.

Fiona O’Carroll: When Family Isn’t Enough

If Gary Hollywood’s departure exposed the business cracks, Fiona O’Carroll’s exit revealed something even deeper—the emotional toll of living in her father’s shadow. As Brendan O’Carroll’s real-life daughter, Fiona had grown up with Agnes Brown, playing the role of Maria Brown, Dermot’s wife, for years.

Fiona had been part of Mrs. Brown’s Boys since its early stage days, and for her, the show wasn’t just a job—it was home. However, by 2022, Fiona reached a breaking point. She announced she would not be joining the live stage tour, shocking fans who had assumed she would always be there.

In interviews, Fiona explained that after years of playing the same role, she wasn’t growing. She felt like she was living someone else’s story and needed to write her own. The show that once felt like family had become a cage—comfortable, but confining.

Her personal life also contributed to her decision. Fiona’s divorce from Martin Delaney, her on-screen husband, had added to the emotional strain. The contradiction of playing a loving couple on screen while navigating a painful divorce off-screen became unbearable.

Despite fan speculation, Fiona made it clear that there was no falling out with her father, Brendan. He publicly supported her decision, but her absence left a void in the show. Maria Brown had always been the steady presence that balanced the chaos, and without her, the show felt a little less real.

Martin Delaney: The Price of Professionalism

For Martin Delaney, who played Dermot Brown, the emotional weight of Mrs. Brown’s Boys grew too heavy. Martin’s real-life marriage to Fiona O’Carroll meant that their on-screen chemistry as a married couple felt authentic, but their personal relationship was unraveling. Despite their divorce, they continued to work together, but the emotional toll was evident in every scene they filmed.

Martin, deeply professional, continued to portray Dermot with the same charm and awkward humor. But as the years wore on, he began to fade out. By the early 2020s, Martin made the decision to step back. His departure wasn’t met with fanfare or controversy—it simply happened. A slow fade out from the show, leaving fans to wonder where the beloved character of Dermot had gone.

For Brendan O’Carroll, losing Martin meant more than just losing a colleague—it was a loss of a son-in-law and a close friend. But Martin’s decision to leave was a reminder that family and fame don’t always mix. Sometimes, peace must come before performance.

Damian McKieran: The Silent Goodbye

When Rory Cowan left Mrs. Brown’s Boys in 2017, Damian McKieran stepped in to fill his shoes. However, the pressure was immense. Fans compared every gesture, every line, every expression to Cowan’s portrayal of Rory Brown. Damian’s version was quieter, more grounded, and less flamboyant, but he did his best to make the role his own.

But as 2020 approached, reports emerged that Damian, like Gary Hollywood, had been underpaid compared to other long-serving cast members. When he raised concerns, things turned sour, and soon, Damian found himself written out of the show, his character of Rory Brown simply disappearing.

His exit was a quiet one, but it symbolized the growing tensions behind the scenes. Fans were left confused, wondering what had happened to one of the core characters of the show.

Conclusion: The Price of Family and Fame

Mrs. Brown’s Boys began as a family project, with Brendan O’Carroll at the helm, surrounded by his loved ones. But as the show grew into a global success, the pressure of maintaining that image took its toll. Rory Cowan, Gary Hollywood, Fiona O’Carroll, Martin Delaney, and Damian McKieran all walked away for different reasons—burnout, pay disputes, and the emotional strain of working in a family dynamic.

Their departures shattered the illusion of the “big happy family” that the show had built, leaving behind a reminder that even the biggest comedies carry private heartbreaks. While the show continues to air and maintain a loyal fanbase, the magic of the family that once felt so real has faded.

Which departure surprised you the most? Rory Cowan, Gary Hollywood, Fiona O’Carroll, Martin Delaney, or Damian McKieran? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. And don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more untold stories from your favorite TV shows!