Danika McGuigan

Danika "Nika" McGuigan (4 January 1986 – 23 July 2019) was an actress born in Northern Ireland and raised in England.[1] She was known for her role as Danielle Mullane in Can't Cope, Won't Cope (2016–2018). She was posthumously awarded at the 2021 IFTA Awards for her final role in Cathy Brady's film Wildfire.[2][3]

Danika McGuigan
McGuigan at the 2016 Dublin International Film Festival
Born(1986-01-04)4 January 1986
Newry, Northern Ireland
Died (aged 33)
Dublin, Ireland
Other namesNika McGuigan
CitizenshipIrish
OccupationActress
Years active2000–2019
Parents
FamilyShane McGuigan (brother)
Pat McGuigan (grandfather)

Her previous films included The Secret Scripture (2016) alongside Rooney Mara and Jack Reynor.[4]

Early life and education

McGuigan was born in Newry, Northern Ireland in 1986,[5] the second of four children and only daughter of Barry McGuigan, a former world champion boxer and his wife Sandra. Her brothers were Blain, Jack, and Shane.[2]

McGuigan spent her early childhood in Clones, County Monaghan before the family settled in rural Kent, England near Whitstable.[6] She attended St Edmund's School Canterbury and then boarded at Benenden School. She trained in Dublin, graduating from the Gaiety School of Acting in 2006, and The Factory (now Bow Street) in 2013 before moving to London.[7]

Death

McGuigan was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 11 in 1997, but recovered from the illness after two years. She was pulled out of school at the time for her treatment at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London.[8] However, she died on 23 July 2019, aged 33, after a short battle with colon cancer as an adult.[9]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2000 Malicious Intent Barmaid Debut
2010 Glory Laura Short film
2012 Remains Eva Short film
2013 Stay Deirdre McGilloway
2013 The Food Guide to Love Maureen
2013 Philomena Bridie
2015 Traders Orla
2016 Mammal Ann Marie
2016 The Secret Scripture Chrissie
2020 Wildfire Kelly Posthumous release
Final role

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2007 The Tudors Chambermaid Episode: 'Wolsey, Wolsey, Wolsey!'
2009 Hollyoaks: The Morning After the Night Before Ruby
2009 Mid Life Christmas Cranchesterford teenager Television film
2010 Dani's House Belle Charlotte Episode: 'Buddy Movie'
2014 Undeniable Miss Maclean Miniseries
2014 Play Next Door Dyla Episode: 'If Those Lips'
2016–2018 Can't Cope, Won't Cope Danielle Mullane Main cast
12 episodes[2]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result Ref
2021 IFTA Awards Lead Actress in a Film Wildfire Won [3]

References
  1. "Actress Danika McGuigan dies aged 33". BBC News. 24 July 2019.
  2. "Can't Cope, Won't Cope actor Danika McGuigan dies aged 33". The Irish Times.
  3. "Nika McGuigan posthumously honoured at IFTAs for Wildfire role". RTÉ. 4 July 2021.
  4. "Actress Nika McGuigan dies aged 33". 24 July 2019 – via rte.ie. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. "How old was Danika McGuigan, what was her cause of death and what was she in?". 24 July 2019.
  6. Notaro, Vicki (24 September 2016). "'I always play little scallywags so this is a big change'". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  7. "Danika McGuigan obituary: accomplished stage and screen actor". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  8. Needham, Lucy (24 July 2019). "Barry McGuigan's daughter Danika's cause of death confirmed by her family". mirror.co.uk.
  9. "Barry McGuigan's daughter Danika dies at 33 after battle with cancer". Evening Standard. 24 July 2019.


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