Patrick Kielty has been accused of expressing “anti-English” sentiment on his late-night talk show following comments made during an interview with actress Charlene McKenna.
Ms McKenna joined fellow actresses Mischa Barton and Amybeth McNulty on the show’s famous sofa, and, inevitably, the conversation was centred on the craft of acting.
However, while a portion of the conversation was dominated by Ms McNulty’s recent stint in Netflix smash Stranger Things, the discussion widened to the current crop of Irish actors succeeding in Hollywood right now.
In particular, Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, the former of whom is currently the talk of the awards circuit thanks to her turn as William Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes, in the Golden Globe-winning film, Hamnet.
Patrick Kielty on The Late Late Show in Ireland
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RTE
Keen to hear what the panel of actresses made of Ms Buckley and Mr Mescal’s performances in Hamnet, Mr Kielty turned to Ms McKenna.
“We have to talk about Jessie and the Golden Globes. I know that you also worked with Paul,” he began as Ms. McKenna quietly applauded.
“What’s it like to see so many Irish actors up there?” the talk show host asked.
“I mean, I think it’s great,” Ms McKenna began. “I mean, you couldn’t help but…”
Charlene McKenna joked with Patrick Kielty
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RTE
Ms McKenna began to trip over her words before she commented: “Paul and Jessie playing two of the most quintessentially famous English people, it was kind of like, ‘Oops’.”
The actress then shot a smug look at Mr Kielty as chuckles emerged from the studio audience. Meanwhile, Ms McNulty began clicking her fingers and performing a celebratory shimmy in her seat.
“It was kind of great,” Ms McKenna added before Mr Kielty then chipped in with a laugh: “Get it off your chest. Go on.”
The estranged husband of Cat Deeley then shot a look down the camera as he quipped: “We all know what you’re saying.”
The Late Late Show panel shared a laugh about the Irish actors starring in Hamnet
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RTE
Ms McKenna regained her composure as she went on: “No, but it is — it’s so great. And I’ve always said this, I’ve said it before, but a rising tide lifts all boats.
“And I just think it’s great to see the talent that we think we’ve always had on such an international platform. It’s just great.”
Turning to Ms McNutly, Mr Kielty added: “And it’s that thing, Amybeth, that it really doesn’t matter where you’re from — anything is possible if you’ve got the talent and the dream.”
The Stranger Things star replied: “Totally agree. It genuinely doesn’t matter. I think it’s the beauty of Irish storytellers.
Jessie Buckley won a Golden Globe recently for her role in Hamnet
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PA
“We will always find a way to tell everybody our stories, no matter if it is miles away. We will get there. There’s no choice.”
Shortly after the discussion, clips of the interview soon found themselves at the centre of debate on social media.
Regarding Mr Kielty’s remarks and Ms McKenna’s response, one X user slammed the interview by saying: “The anglophobia on display here is rather childish and pathetic.”
And they weren’t alone. “Strange that they’re so pleased about a display of anti-English prejudice implicitly understood by the presenter and the audience,” a second weighed in.
“It’s the beauty of Irish storytellers, we will always find a way to tell everybody our stories”
Charlene McKenna and Amybeth McNulty on seeing Irish talent shine on the international stage 🇮🇪✨ pic.twitter.com/odVTDiSkZ7
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) January 17, 2026
Meanwhile, a third added: “It’s so frustrating what Paddy comes out with. All the anti Brit stuff. And if you disagree you must be a loyalist paramilitary or a Paisleyite tub thumper. He’s difficult to reach because he’s so absolutely certain about his views.” (sic)
“Some p**h from the left, left show,” a fourth sarcastically criticised, while a fifth echoed: “That show is unwatchable, and not funny. Almost every piece they have is, in some way, poking fun at us.”
And a sixth English viewer hit out: “Literally living rent-free in their head. Zero humour.”
However, Mr Kielty was fiercely defended by others. One fan hit back at the complaints: “I don’t hear any anglophobia.
Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal
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GETTY“There are pockets of that in Ireland and there’s a bit of getting one up on the big neighbour here but I don’t hear anglophobia. But we are observing a kind of golden age for our tiny country while the UK has faffed around for the past 10-15 years.” (sic)
GB News has contacted Mr Kielty’s representatives for comment on the backlash.
