| Birth Date: | 1986 1, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Newry, Northern Ireland |
| Death Place: | Dublin, Ireland |
| Occupation: | Actress |
| Father: | Barry McGuigan |
| Years Active: | 2000–2019 |
| Other Names: | Danika McGuigan |
Danika McGuigan (4 January 1986 – 23 July 2019) was a Northern Irish 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 Best Actress at the 2021 IFTA Awards for her final role in Wildfire (2020).[2] Her previous films included Philomena (2013), Mammal (2016), and The Secret Scripture (2016).[3]
McGuigan was born in Newry, Northern Ireland on 4 January 1986,[4] the second of four children and only daughter of Barry McGuigan, a former world champion boxer, and his wife Sandra. She had three brothers, including Shane.
McGuigan spent her early childhood in Clones, County Monaghan before the family settled in rural Kent, England near Whitstable.[5] 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.[6]
McGuigan was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia 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.[7] She died from bowel cancer on 23 July 2019, aged 33.[8]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Malicious Intent | Barmaid | (Debut role) | |
| 2010 | Glory | Laura | Short film | |
| 2012 | Remains | Eva | Short film | |
| 2013 | The Food Guide to Love | Maureen | ||
| Philomena | Bridie | Film nominated for 4 Oscars, including Best Picture | ||
| Stay | Deirdre McGilloway | |||
| 2015 | Lost in the Living | Grace | (Uncredited) | |
| Traders | Orla | |||
| 2016 | Mammal | Ann Marie | ||
| The Secret Scripture | Chrissie | |||
| 2020 | Wildfire | Kelly | Posthumous release Final role *WON* IFTA for Best Lead Actress in Film |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Tudors | Chambermaid | S01E03 – Episode: 'Wolsey, Wolsey, Wolsey!' | |
| 2009 | Hollyoaks: The Morning After the Night Before | Ruby | TV series | |
| Mid Life Christmas | Cranchesterford teenager | Television film | ||
| 2010 | Dani's House | Belle Charlotte | S03E12 – Episode: 'Buddy Movie' | |
| 2014 | Undeniable | Miss Maclean | Miniseries - Ep. #2 | |
| Play Next Door | Dyla | S01E02 – Episode: 'If Those Lips' | ||
| 2016–2018 | Can't Cope, Won't Cope | Danielle Mullane | Main cast 12 episodes[9] |