By Yale Breslin
There’s something quietly magnetic about Kieron Moore. It’s not just his face — though it’s the kind that the camera can’t help but linger on — it’s his conviction. His ability to dig deep, to play truthfully, to make you feel. In just a few short years, the Irish-born actor has gone from indie shorts to leading roles across Netflix, Apple TV+, and ITV, earning a reputation not just as a rising star, but as one of the most emotionally intelligent performers of his generation.
When we speak, it’s clear that Moore isn’t in this for fame or validation. He’s in it for connection. For truth. For the quiet thrill of finding something real — in himself, in his work, and in the world around him.
Yale Breslin: You’ve had a pretty fast rise — from shorts like Birthday Girl to leading roles across Netflix, Apple, and ITV. When you look back, what’s been the moment that’s shifted things the most for you?
Kieron Moore: From the moment I decided to be an actor, I was all in. I approached it with conviction, passion — and, I suppose, a bit of delusion. The bigger moments don’t always feel so big; they’re ever-changing, and I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface.
If I had to name a few pivotal moments: my acting coach telling me I could truly do this — that belief from someone I respected meant everything. Landing my first series regular role as the main love interest was another — it was the first time I caught myself thinking, “Wow, I’m actually doing this.” And finally, being announced as a Star of Tomorrow. That felt like proof — credibility and trust in an industry that’s hard to win over. Now it’s about continuing to earn that.
YB: Code of Silence did record numbers and was instantly renewed — what did that response feel like?
KM: Honestly, I was in awe. From the moment I read the script, I knew it was something special — a story that felt like a leap forward for the industry. I’m so grateful to have been part of it. It’s one of my proudest achievements. Seeing it resonate with audiences was such a blessing. All you can hope for is to make people feel something — knowing I did that as Liam feels like a hug.
YB: Then came BOOTS on Netflix — a total tonal shift. The response online has been huge. Was that what you expected, or did it catch you off guard?
KM: From the first read of Greg Cope White’s The Pink Marine, I knew this story had heart and importance. So I believed in its potential from the start. But with the strikes and all the uncertainty in between, this release feels extra sweet. I’m just so proud of my friends and castmates being celebrated — and grateful that audiences took a chance on it. It’s such an important show, full of the love the world needs right now.
YB: What kind of story or character pulls you in these days? Has that changed as your career’s grown?
KM: I’m definitely drawn to flawed characters — contradictions, complexities, the messiness of being human. I love exploring what makes us who we are in different walks of life. My main desire is to play roles that are far from myself, to push my limits and surprise myself. This job teaches you about people — and I crave that. I have so much love in me; I just want to connect.
YB: You’ve moved between massive streaming productions and smaller, more intimate projects. Do you consciously try to balance both worlds?
KM: Not really. For me, it’s always about good writing. Good scripts can come from anywhere. Big productions and small ones both have their own intensity — and their own kind of intimacy.
YB: Let’s talk about KM Words. What sparked it, and what space did you want it to fill?
KM: As my poetry notepads started to pile up, I realised this was something I’d be doing forever. Supportive people around me — and my own need for others’ poetry — encouraged me to share. KM Words became a place for those pieces to live. I’ve since archived them all because it’s time to work on a full collection — a book that says Written by Kieron Moore. That’s the dream.
I’m also stepping back into spoken word — creating more visual pieces like the one I did with Shön Magazine. I want to show that poetry is for everyone.
YB: Has writing become a creative outlet separate from acting, or is it part of the same muscle?
KM: I used to think they were different — and part of me still does — but both come from the same place: this immense amount of feeling I carry and a need to create. Writing lets me stay connected to myself when acting jobs aren’t constant. It keeps me sharp, self-aware, and curious about the world.
YB: What are you reading right now — and what book or poem do you keep coming back to?
KM: Someone close to me recently gave me Bluets by Maggie Nelson — that’s my current read. Next up is I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman. I’m trying to read fewer male authors lately.
As for poetry, The Sun Rising by John Donne is one I always return to. It’s perfect — a love poem to the sun, written in frustration for waking you from your lover’s arms. How incredible is that?
YB: You often explore identity, vulnerability, and masculinity through your work. Is that intentional?
KM: It’s just what naturally seeps out of me. Those are the things that burden and fascinate me most — humanness, vulnerability, masculinity, shame, lust. I don’t think they’re discussed with enough honesty, and I want to help change that.
YB: When you think about what’s next — as an artist and as a person — what excites you most right now?
KM: All of it. The potential. The fact that there’s no ceiling. As long as I don’t get complacent, why can’t I be great? I’m learning to believe in myself — and that’s the real treasure. The journey is everything. I’ve already done more than I ever thought I would, but not as much as I want to. It’s all a bonus now — and that’s so exciting.
HIS CAST — AND DIRECTOR — WEIGH IN ON WORKING WITH MR. MOORE
DOMINIC GOODMAN
“There’s a real emotional honesty in his work — did you feel that energy while filming with him?”
Kieron always leads with truth first. That’s something I really relate to, and it’s why we worked so well together. We never tried to plan our performances — we just knew we’d both play from the most honest perspective of each character, and that was truly special. It’s not always the case that you get a scene that feels alive and ever-changing, but that’s the beauty of working with Kieron. Every scene, every take could be different. He’s such a generous scene partner, and he pushed me as an actor in the best way possible.
“There are so many special moments between Nash and Slovacek, but one that stands out is the scene where he’s begging to stay in the Marines. We’d run it a couple of times and it was great, but Kieron knew we could dig deeper. He asked me to really bring it to him on that final take, and it showed just how committed he is to the craft. It ended up being such a powerful moment for both of us — and being able to trust each other to go there was special. I’d work with Kieron any day of the week. Love you, brother!”
Three words: Committed. Selfless. Loving.
MILES HEIZER
“What was your first impression of Kieron when you met him on set?”
Kieron was quite famous to us before we met him. He was the last cast member to arrive in New Orleans, and there was a lot of “when Kieron arrives” talk. So, I was a bit starstruck initially — but I quickly realized we were going to be very good friends. I could tell right away that he was up for a laugh, which is the best possible quality in a person, to me.
“There’s a scene at the end where we have this really sincere, honest moment — and then immediately shift to ‘now let’s get fucked up!’ That’s very representative of Kieron’s approach. He takes the work seriously, but he’s also there to have fun and appreciate what an incredible experience we were having. Most of our scenes together were confrontational, but we were always laughing as soon as they called cut.”
“When you watch BOOTS back now, there’s no easy way to say this — but the boy has star quality. He just pops on screen.”
Three words: Hot. Funny. Hot.
PETER HOAR
“As the director of episode one, you were one of the first to shape Kieron’s tone in the series. What did you see in him early on that made him right for the role?”
As a director from the UK, I know the city where Kieron comes from — Manchester. So I knew how it made him who he is and how suitable it was for him playing Slovacek — tough, masculine, uncompromising. But what is always hard to find is someone who also understands the vulnerability that is required to commit to some of the toughest roles. Kieron had that in spades. He has the softest heart and the kindest soul, and to have found that after living a pretty tough life is a great credit to him.
“We bonded immediately. He’s a lover, not a fighter (even though an ex-boxer, haha). It’s Kieron’s compassion and love that I saw first of all. For me, playing strong men depends on that. You can’t play strength without understanding fragility.”
“He’s all of those things — confident but aware of the work, never arrogant. He works hard, asks questions, has fun. Perfect combination. Some days I wanted him to know just how good he is, how unique an actor — but if he did, it would go to his head, and it wouldn’t make him such a great performer. So please don’t tell him.”
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Credits:
Talent KIERON MOORE
Photographer RAMON CHRISTIAN
Stylist BAILEY MOON
Shot at HOTEL AKA NOMAD