Grey's Anatomy actor Kevin McKidd opens up on 'love-hate' dynamic with older brother

EXCLUSIVE: Grey's Anatomy star Kevin McKidd wasn't always deemed the super star of the family growing up.

22:07, Tue, Apr 4, 2023 | UPDATED: 22:07, Tue, Apr 4, 2023

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Scottish actor Kevin McKidd has been starring in ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy for 15 years as the charming Dr Owen Hunt. He has been at the heart of some unforgettable storylines during this time from his whirlwind romance with Dr Teddy Altman (played by Kim Raver), to suffering with PTSD, having been honorably discharged from the army after the death of his entire platoon. McKidd is now taking a temporary step back from Grey's Anatomy to pursue a series a lot closer to home.

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Six Four.

Set in the heart of Glasgow, Six Four focuses on DC Chris O'Neill (Kevin McKidd) whose life is turned upside down when his daughter goes missing.

At the same time, he is instructed to look into a cold case involving a girl who disappeared which leads him to see all of the mistakes that were made at the time and could have contributed to her not being found.

As Chris' life is taking a turn for the worst, growing more complicated and distressing by the day, his older brother Philip's (Andrew Whipp) is reaching new heights in his career.

Now working as the assistant chief constable, Philip is a senior rank to Chris but is still keen to go even further and receives pressure from all sides in doing so.

Grey's Anatomy: kevin mckidd owen hunt

Grey's Anatomy's Kevin McKidd talks 'love-hate' relationship with brother. (Image: ABC/GETTY)

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While talking to the press, including Express.co.uk, McKidd explained how he felt connected to the role of Chris because of his own real-life sibling dynamic.

"I was really drawn to the character of Chris, very much", McKidd explained.

"I think because probably I have a big brother, he's about five years senior to me, who in our childhood, was the star, the prodigal son.

"And I was kind of 'what is this guy doing? Why's he doing plays at school?'"

Grey's Anatomy: owen hunt actor kevin mckidd

Grey's Anatomy's Owen Hunt is played by actor Kevin McKidd. (Image: ABC)

Grey's Anatomy: kevin mckidd drama six four

Kevin McKidd's Six Four is available to watch on ITVX. (Image: ITV)

McKidd continued: "And my brother was this very talented football player actually so he was always going to be the one who rose up.

"I wasn't the black sheep but I think people couldn't quite get a handle of what I was about so I would quietly be in the background doing my own thing.

"I just really liked that dynamic, it felt very familiar to me, because it was what I grew up with, with Scottish brothers there's a love-hate thing, like with many brothers.

"They can get quite toxic sometimes but there's love there too so it's quite a complicated relationship and I love how Gregory [Burke, writer] brought that."

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McKidd's older brother has managed to stay out of the spotlight despite his connection to the Grey's Anatomy actor.

While talking to Elgin Scotland, the star once explained that, unlike his sibling, he wasn't very good at sports growing up.

He stated: "I couldn't play football because I was really fat. I was a big beefer.

"When I was 14, I shot up and lost it, but before that, I was very short and dumpy.

"Ask my mum if you don't believe me. The first time I went on stage was during a school play and everyone laughed, either because I was fat, or because I was being funny.

"I wasn't sure. Anyway, it was a good buzz and I just knew that's what I wanted to do."