Philip Rafferty

Philip Rafferty is a Northern Irish actor and stage combat instructor, originally trained at the Lyric Drama Studio, The Rainbow Factory, The Company Youth Theatre, and the Ulster Association of Youth Drama.

His film and television credits include Upside (Dylan), The Invention (Mark), Braxton (Oliver), A Christmas Star (Coach), Sparticle Mystery (Dredd), 6 Degrees (Boylo – Series 1 and 2), and Scup (Anto).

On stage, Philip has performed with companies including the Lyric Theatre, Replay Theatre Company, Soda Bread Theatre, and The Company. Notable theatre roles include Closer (Marty), Borderland (Stranger), The Patriot Game (John Redmond), Waking the Giant (Dredmen), Julius Caesar (Brutus), Spring Awakening (Melchior), and Good Soul of Szechuan (Shu Fu).

Philip is a certified Stage Combat Instructor with the Academy of Performance Combat (APC), and the founder of Raff Combat, through which he works professionally as a Fight Director. He holds Advanced and Honours certifications across multiple weapon systems including rapier, unarmed, gladius, sai, baton, and small sword. He also serves on the committee of the APC, helping shape the future of stage combat training in the UK and Ireland. His physical skillset includes karate, football, Gaelic games, swimming, and dance (ballet, hip-hop, Argentine tango).