A rising actor from Northern Ireland has disclosed that he is nearing the end of his life after a four-year fight with skin cancer that has spread to his liver and lungs.
Finnian Garbutt, 28, widely recognized for portraying Police Constable Ryan Power on the BBC drama “Hope Street,” announced the heartbreaking update to his followers on social media on March 1, 2026. Recent imaging revealed that his melanoma had advanced quickly throughout his body.
Garbutt shared that he decided to make the news public instead of informing people one by one. “I hope now it’s in the open then I can enjoy the time with my amazing family and friends,” he said.
The Bangor-born actor first noticed a lump behind his ear in late 2020, thinking at first it was an ingrown hair. After lockdown eased and his barber remarked on its significant growth, Garbutt sought medical care. In December 2021, at only 25, he was diagnosed with Stage 3 malignant melanoma. The cancer later spread to his neck, leading to an exhausting 12-hour operation in February 2022 to remove 75 lymph nodes from his face and neck.
In August 2024, just two weeks before his daughter Saoirse arrived, doctors delivered the devastating news that the cancer was terminal after spreading to his lungs and liver. Still, Garbutt continued pursuing both his career and personal goals—appearing in 30 episodes of “Hope Street” between 2023 and 2025 and marrying his wife, Louise Agnew, in September 2025.
Since his diagnosis, Garbutt has reached major personal and professional milestones: 30 episodes of “Hope Street,” securing the lead in an upcoming film, purchasing his own home, marrying his best friend, and welcoming a daughter who, in his words, “never fails to make me smile.”
The show, which has run for five seasons, films in Donaghadee, County Down, and centers on life in the fictional seaside town of Port Devine. Garbutt also appeared as Raymond in the film “Housejackers,” which debuted at the 2025 Belfast Film Festival. A graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, he previously portrayed Benvolio in “Romeo and Juliet” at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast and had a role in the BBC medical drama “Casualty.”
Over the last month, Garbutt has been dealing with worsening pain in his hip and back, leading his medical team to admit him for tests and monitoring. The results confirmed his fears—the cancer had spread aggressively.
Following his announcement, Garbutt’s family created a GoFundMe campaign to support his wife and daughter after his passing. At the time of writing, the fundraiser had surpassed £55,000.
Garbutt stressed that he was not asking for pity. His only wish, he wrote, is for his wife and child to have the life they deserve—one he had hoped to provide them. Any contributions would help Louise and Saoirse manage life without him and keep them safe in their home.
Throughout his battle, Garbutt has partnered with Action Cancer and supported the charity’s Peer Mentoring Programme, encouraging men to check their skin frequently and seek medical help early. In earlier interviews, he spoke openly about the emotional toll of his diagnosis—the persistent fear of the cancer spreading after doctors warned him about its seriousness.
Despite the grim prognosis, Garbutt extended a typically warm invitation to friends and supporters: “If anyone wants to meet up for a pint, coffee or general bit of craic, please reach out and we can try and make it work.”
A spokesperson for the BBC and Long Story TV responded with a message honoring Garbutt’s work. “Finnian has been such an important part of ‘Hope Street’s’ success,” the spokesperson said. “He is very much in our thoughts.”
As Garbutt approaches his final days, he remains focused on cherishing time with his wife Louise and daughter Saoirse. His bravery in sharing his experience has resonated with people worldwide, prompting a wave of support across his social media channels.
