Ferdia Shaw is an Irish actor who gained international attention when he stepped into the title role of Disney’s fantasy adventure Artemis Fowl. Taking on such a major character at a young age introduced him to audiences far beyond Ireland and placed him alongside established actors in a large-scale production directed by Kenneth Branagh.
However, there is more to Ferdia Shaw than one Disney movie. He grew up surrounded by a remarkable acting legacy, developed an early interest in filmmaking, and participated in local theatre before his major breakthrough. Despite gaining worldwide recognition as a teenager, Ferdia has maintained a relatively private public profile while continuing to explore acting and film.
Ferdia Shaw Profile Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ferdia Shaw |
| Date of Birth | June 29, 2004 |
| Age | 22 years old |
| Birthplace | Dublin, Ireland |
| Raised In | Kilkenny, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Profession | Actor |
| Father | Colin Shaw |
| Mother | Lucy Glendinning |
| Brother | Tiernan Shaw |
| Sister | Maeve Shaw |
| Grandfather | Robert Shaw |
| Grandmother | Mary Ure |
| Famous Role | Artemis Fowl II |
| Known For | Artemis Fowl |
| Film Training | Young Irish Film Makers |
Ferdia Shaw’s Early Life
Ferdia Shaw was born on June 29, 2004, in Dublin, Ireland, and grew up in Kilkenny. His interest in storytelling developed while he was young, and he became involved in creative activities rather than waiting until adulthood to explore filmmaking.
Ferdia attended an Irish-language school and became involved with Young Irish Film Makers, an organization that helps young people learn about filmmaking. He also gained performance experience through local theatre, including work connected with the Barnstorm Theatre Company. These early experiences gave him a useful introduction to acting before his first major movie role.
Ferdia Shaw Comes From an Acting Family
Acting has deep roots in Ferdia’s family. His parents are Colin Shaw and Lucy Glendinning, while his grandfather was acclaimed actor Robert Shaw. Robert remains widely remembered for playing Quint in Steven Spielberg’s classic film Jaws.
His grandmother, Mary Ure, was also an accomplished actress. In addition, actor Ian Shaw is Ferdia’s uncle. Growing up with such a strong connection to film and theatre gave Ferdia an unusual family background, although he still had to establish his own career when he began auditioning professionally.
Does Ferdia Shaw Have Siblings?
Ferdia grew up with two older siblings, Tiernan Shaw and Maeve Shaw. Unlike Ferdia, they have not developed the same level of international recognition through a major Disney production.
The Shaw family has generally maintained a relatively private life. Consequently, reliable information focuses much more heavily on Ferdia’s acting and famous family connections than on the everyday lives of his siblings.
Becoming Artemis Fowl
Ferdia’s career changed dramatically when he auditioned for Disney’s adaptation of Artemis Fowl. He reportedly competed against more than 1,000 young performers before securing the title role.
One advantage Ferdia brought to the audition was his familiarity with Eoin Colfer’s books. He had already read the series and understood the personality and background of Artemis. Director Kenneth Branagh eventually selected him to portray the highly intelligent young criminal mastermind at the centre of the story.
Ferdia Shaw in Artemis Fowl
Disney released Artemis Fowl in 2020, with Ferdia playing Artemis Fowl II. The fantasy adventure follows the young protagonist as he becomes involved with a hidden world of fairies while attempting to deal with the disappearance of his father.
The film placed Ferdia alongside experienced performers including Colin Farrell, Judi Dench and Josh Gad. Although the movie received a mixed-to-negative critical response, it gave Ferdia something few young actors receive so early in their careers: the opportunity to lead a major international studio production.
His Acting Career After Artemis Fowl
While Artemis Fowl remains Ferdia’s most recognizable project, it is not his only screen credit. His filmography also includes Poster Boys, released in 2020.
More recently, Ferdia appeared in the 2025 short film Wellness. His continued involvement in smaller projects shows that his acting story did not simply end after his Disney debut. However, his filmography remains relatively selective compared with young actors who move immediately from one major franchise into another.
Ferdia Shaw’s Age
Born on June 29, 2004, Ferdia Shaw is 22 years old in 2026. He was still a teenager when Artemis Fowl introduced him to an international audience.
Because he entered the public eye while young, some older online profiles contain details that no longer accurately describe him today. This is particularly important when looking at physical information such as his height, since measurements published during his teenage years cannot automatically be treated as his current adult height.
Ferdia Shaw’s Height
There is no sufficiently reliable current measurement for Ferdia Shaw’s adult height. Older online sources provide different figures, but many of those measurements were published while he was still growing.
For that reason, giving one exact height as a confirmed current measurement would be misleading. Recent photographs can show his appearance, but they cannot reliably establish his height.
Personal Life and Lifestyle
Ferdia has kept much of his personal life outside the spotlight. Reliable current sources do not provide enough information to identify a girlfriend or romantic partner, and he has not developed a highly public celebrity lifestyle.
Earlier profiles highlighted interests beyond acting, including filmmaking, reading and environmental issues. His involvement with Young Irish Film Makers also showed that his interest in cinema extended beyond simply appearing in front of the camera.
Ferdia Shaw’s Net Worth
There is no reliable public figure confirming Ferdia Shaw’s net worth. Some celebrity biography websites publish estimates, but they do not provide sufficient financial evidence to establish his actual wealth.
Appearing as the lead in a Disney production certainly represents a major professional achievement, but an acting credit alone cannot reveal someone’s personal finances. Therefore, unsupported estimates should not be presented as confirmed information about Ferdia.
Ferdia Shaw on Social Media
Ferdia has maintained an online presence, with @ferdiashaw associated with his Instagram presence in public entertainment directories.
However, he does not appear to use social media as aggressively as many young entertainment personalities. His public identity remains primarily connected with acting, filmmaking and his role in Artemis Fowl rather than influencer-style content.
Final Thoughts
Ferdia Shaw experienced an unusual introduction to international cinema. After developing his interest in acting and filmmaking in Ireland, he competed against a large group of young performers and ultimately became the face of Disney’s Artemis Fowl.
His family history connects him to respected performers such as Robert Shaw and Mary Ure, but Ferdia has begun building a career under his own name. Although he remains best known as Artemis Fowl, his later work and interest in filmmaking suggest that the Disney role represents one chapter in his developing career rather than his entire story.
Read More: Sacha Parkinson: Her Life and Acting Career
FAQs
How old is Ferdia Shaw?
Ferdia Shaw was born on June 29, 2004, making him 22 years old in 2026.
What is Ferdia Shaw famous for?
Ferdia Shaw is best known for playing Artemis Fowl II in Disney’s 2020 fantasy film Artemis Fowl, directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Who are Ferdia Shaw’s parents?
Ferdia Shaw’s parents are Colin Shaw and Lucy Glendinning. He also comes from a well-known acting family and is the grandson of Jaws actor Robert Shaw and actress Mary Ure.
Does Ferdia Shaw have siblings?
Yes. Ferdia Shaw has two older siblings, a brother named Tiernan Shaw and a sister named Maeve Shaw.
What is Ferdia Shaw doing now?
Ferdia has maintained a relatively private profile since Artemis Fowl. His more recent acting work includes the 2025 short film Wellness, showing that he has continued working in film.
