The new Rory on Mrs Brown’s Boys is here.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without Agnes Brown and her boys  - but there’ll be one familiar face who will be missing this year. Following Rory Cowan’s departure from the show this past summer, it was announced that another actor would be taking on the role of Rory Brown. And while there’s been previous sneak peeks at the Christmas special - which involved Rory wrapped up in bandages - we haven’t gotten a proper look at who will be stepping into the part. Until now, that is. At the start of the Christmas episode, Rory, the episode’s titular Mammy’s Mummy, appears to have undergone plastic surgery - and Agnes is fretting over his condition. And after spending the majority of the seasonal special wrapped up in bandages, he was gradually unveiled - introducing fans to the actor who would be taking over the role. According to the show's credits, Damien McKiernan was the one to take on the mantle of Rory Brown. The character was previously played by Rory Cowan until he exited Mrs Brown’s Boys earlier this year. He said at the time that he had been “unhappy” touring and filming the television show for 18 months. He told the Irish Daily Mail:

“I feel that 26 years is enough so I decided it was time to go. “I told Brendan on June 16 about my decision to leave. That’s when I handed in my notice.”

Pat Shields, who plays Mark on the television series, stepped in to cover the role while on tour. Photo via the RTÉ One player.