Aisling Bea has spent 2026 back on the road with her stand-up tour Older Than Jesus, playing theatres across the UK and Ireland, from Glasgow's King's Theatre to Dublin's Vicar Street. In her home county she was also honoured at the 2026 Spirit of Kildare Awards for her contribution to the arts.
Comedian, actor and award-winning writer, Bea has become one of the best-loved faces on British and Irish screens. Here is her story so far. Browse our tribute designs in the Aisling Bea collection.
Aisling Bea Fact File
| Full name | Aisling Clíodhnadh O'Sullivan |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 16 March 1984 (age 42) |
| Place of birth | Kildare, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation | Comedian, actor, screenwriter |
| Years active | 2009-present |
| Education | Trinity College Dublin; London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) |
| Known for | This Way Up, Living with Yourself, 8 Out of 10 Cats, QI |
| Breakthrough award | So You Think You're Funny (2012) |
| Current status | Touring Older Than Jesus (2026) |
Career History
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Fair City (RTÉ) | Early TV role |
| 2016-2017 | 8 Out of 10 Cats | Team captain |
| 2017 | Taskmaster (series 5) | Contestant |
| 2018 | Hard Sun | Cast member |
| 2019 | Living with Yourself (Netflix) | Kate Elliott |
| 2019-2021 | This Way Up (Channel 4) | Áine, also creator and writer |
| 2021 | Home Sweet Home Alone | Carol Mercer |
| 2023 | Greatest Days | Rachel |
| 2024 | Alice & Jack (Channel 4) | Cast member |
A selection of her TV and film work; she has also been a regular panellist on QI since 2015.
Early Years in Kildare
Born Aisling O'Sullivan in 1984 and raised in Kildare, she went to school in Kildare Town before studying French and philosophy at Trinity College Dublin. She then trained as an actor at LAMDA in London, adopting the stage name Aisling Bea.
An early screen role came in RTÉ's long-running soap Fair City in 2009.
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Breakthrough: Stand-Up Success
Bea turned to stand-up and quickly made her mark, winning the prestigious So You Think You're Funny award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2012. The following year her show C'est La Bea was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards.
Panel shows followed. She became a regular on QI and in 2016 became the first female team captain on 8 Out of 10 Cats, before a memorable run on series 5 of Taskmaster.
Keep it light in the Aisling Bea Men's T-Shirt.
This Way Up and Award Wins
In 2019 she created, wrote and starred in the Channel 4 comedy-drama This Way Up, playing Áine alongside Sharon Horgan. The show won widespread praise and earned her the BAFTA TV Craft Award for Breakthrough Talent in 2020, plus a BAFTA nomination for Female Performance in a Comedy in 2022. The same year she starred opposite Paul Rudd in Netflix's Living with Yourself.
Recent Work
Bea has kept busy on screen with Quiz, Doctor Who, Avoidance and Alice & Jack, plus films including Greatest Days and Swede Caroline. In 2025 she explored her family history on Who Do You Think You Are?, and in 2026 she returned to stand-up with Older Than Jesus.
Awards
Comedy
- So You Think You're Funny winner (2012)
- Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer nominee (2013)
Television
- BAFTA TV Craft Award, Breakthrough Talent (2020) for This Way Up
- BAFTA TV nomination, Female Performance in a Comedy (2022)
- NME Award for Best TV Actor (2022)
Other
- Spirit of Kildare Award for Contribution to the Arts (2026)
Away From the Spotlight
Bea is proud of her Kildare roots, which were celebrated with a Spirit of Kildare Award in 2026, and her Irish upbringing is a regular source of material in her stand-up. Her 2025 episode of Who Do You Think You Are? saw her trace her family history on screen.
FAQs
How old is Aisling Bea?
Aisling Bea was born on 16 March 1984, so she is 42 years old as of November 2026.
What is Aisling Bea's real name?
Her birth name is Aisling Clíodhnadh O'Sullivan. Bea is her stage name.
Where is Aisling Bea from?
She was born and raised in Kildare, Ireland.
What is Aisling Bea best known for?
She is best known for creating and starring in This Way Up, her stand-up and her panel show appearances on QI, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Taskmaster.
Has Aisling Bea won a BAFTA?
Yes. She won the BAFTA TV Craft Award for Breakthrough Talent in 2020 for her writing on This Way Up.
Is Aisling Bea touring in 2026?
Yes. Her stand-up tour Older Than Jesus has been playing venues across the UK and Ireland in 2026.
Shop the Aisling Bea Collection
Celebrate one of comedy's brightest talents with our made-to-order Aisling Bea tribute designs.
Aisling Bea Men's Hoodie
£39.99
See every design in the Aisling Bea collection, or discover more stars of stand-up in our comedians collection. Want something personal? Design your own custom name hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Jack Whitehall Career Story and Michael McIntyre Career Story.
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