Hope Street Star Finnian Garbutt Passes Away at 28 Following Cancer Struggle
Finnian Garbutt, the talented actor celebrated for his portrayal of PC Ryan Power in the BBC drama Hope Street, has died at the age of 28. His family confirmed the heartbreaking news on Instagram on Friday, 17 April 2026, revealing that he passed away after a sudden decline in his condition.
A Peaceful Farewell at Home
In a poignant statement, his loved ones shared that Garbutt died peacefully at home, as he had wished, surrounded by his family. They expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support received during this immensely difficult period.
The family wrote: "He passed peacefully at home, as he wished, surrounded by his family. We want to thank everyone for their support, their kind words, and for being with us during this really difficult time."
They also extended thanks to all who contributed to a GoFundMe page, noting that the donations provided significant peace of mind for Garbutt in his final days, making his passing easier to bear.
Balancing Career and Personal Milestones Amid Illness
Hailing from County Down in Northern Ireland, Garbutt spent his last years navigating a budding acting career while living with cancer. During this challenging time, he celebrated profound personal milestones, including getting married and becoming a father.
The family's statement continued: "We will always love and miss you, Finn. You were the greatest husband, father, son, brother, and friend we could ever ask for, and knowing that you’re no longer in pain gives us all comfort, despite our own immense pain at losing you."
They announced that funeral details would be shared soon and requested privacy as they grieve.
A Rising Star in Hope Street and Beyond
Garbutt's acting credits prominently feature Hope Street, a crime drama filmed near his childhood home. He joined the cast as PC Ryan Power in April 2023 and appeared in 30 episodes, earning recognition for his performance.
Just months before his death, he attended the premiere of his big-screen debut, the indie film Heartjackers, which he described to The Independent as a chaotic, fun, and dark comedy-drama.
Advocacy and Raising Awareness About Skin Cancer
While pursuing his career, Garbutt openly shared his experiences with cancer to raise awareness. He particularly encouraged young men to seek medical advice if they notice symptoms, challenging stigmas around health concerns.
He told The Independent: "I was always ashamed of going to a doctor or whatever, you know, and I think a lot of young people feel that way. So I wanted people to know that you should just go and speak to somebody if you feel like something’s wrong."
Garbutt emphasized that skin cancer, especially melanoma, can affect anyone and is not merely a minor issue. He stated: "Most people associate [skin cancer] with older people, but it can affect anybody. A lot of people have this preconception of, 'Oh, it’s just skin cancer, you just cut it off and you’re fine.' But melanoma, it’s deadly and it’s going to be the reason that I die."
Final Stages and Community Support
In August 2024, two weeks before the birth of his daughter Saoirse, Garbutt received the devastating news that his cancer was incurable. By March 2026, scans revealed rapid progression, leading him to enter the final stages of his life.
At this point, his loved ones launched a GoFundMe to support his wife Louise and their young daughter. Garbutt expressed his desire to care for his family, saying: "I’ve just always wanted to be the person that looks after my family, and the last thing I want is my wife having to move house with a one-year-old and being financially stressed."
He urged people to only donate if they could afford it, otherwise asking them to share the campaign. The fundraiser quickly surpassed £50,000, demonstrating immense community solidarity.
In one of his last updates in late March, Garbutt announced he had entered hospice care and thanked his followers for their incredible support, which alleviated a tremendous weight from his shoulders.
Finnian Garbutt is survived by his wife Louise and daughter Saoirse. His legacy includes not only his acting contributions but also his courageous advocacy for cancer awareness.
