From 2001 to 2002 he narrated the TV series Horrible Histories. Rea starred in the 2011 television mini-series The Shadow Line as Gatehouse. In 2013 he starred as Letts in the series Utopia. He has starred in many films including Angel, The Company of Wolves, Loose Connections, Life is Sweet, The Crying Game, Bad Behaviour, Angie, Princess Caraboo, Interview with the Vampire, Michael Collins, Fever Pitch, Hacks, This Is My Father, The Musketeer, On the Edge, Feardotcom, The Halo Effect, Breakfast on Pluto, The Good Shepherd, V for Vendetta, Nothing Personal, Underworld: Awakening, and Utopia. Rea has been nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. He serves as an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Stephen was previously married to Dolours Price and the couple had two sons together.