Sons of Anarchy is a show that follows an outlaw motorcycle club. The club is known for its love of vengeance and violence, so it’s no surprise that many of the characters end up with bruises, cuts, and long-lasting scars.
Some of these injuries have clear origins, either shown in the episodes or mentioned later in the series. But one character’s scars remain a mystery for a long time: Chibs, played by Tommy Flanagan.
Chibs stands out for two main reasons: his thick Scottish accent and the distinctive scars on his cheeks. These scars have been visible since the very first episode, yet the show never explains where they come from.
The interesting thing is that these scars are not fictional—they are real scars that Tommy Flanagan himself has. The origins of these scars are part of Tommy’s real-life story, and the actor has shared the shocking and painful experience that led to them.
How Tommy Flanagan Got His Scars
Before he became a fan favorite in Sons of Anarchy, Tommy Flanagan had a very different life. He wasn’t acting in films or TV shows—he was a DJ in Glasgow. However, his life took a drastic turn when he was 25 years old. At that age, Tommy was working as a DJ at a club in Glasgow when he experienced a violent event that would change his life forever.
In an interview on Michael Rosenbaum’s podcast, Tommy revealed the details of the attack. He shared that he was confronted by a group of men who told him that they had killed his brother. This shocking statement made Tommy very angry, and in his rage, he decided to confront them. Armed only with a Heineken bottle, he met the attackers in an alley behind the club.
As Tommy himself put it, “I went to a knife fight without a knife.” The fight was brutal. Tommy was injured badly, suffering many deep cuts, including the scars on his face. He also suffered a long gash on his palm when he tried to grab a knife during the fight.
In his conversation on the podcast, Tommy spoke about how he still remembers the intense pain when the knife entered his body. He could feel the pain coursing through his body as he was left for dead in the alley. This life-changing experience left Tommy with scars that would serve as constant reminders of his near-death encounter.
Tommy Flanagan’s Recovery and the Start of His Acting Career
After the attack, Tommy found himself in the hospital, recovering from the injuries. It was a tough time, but during this period, Tommy’s friend Bobby came to visit him. Bobby had an idea that would change Tommy’s life forever. He suggested that Tommy join him at a local theater company.
Bobby believed that acting could be a safer and more stable career for Tommy, away from the violence and danger of his past life.
At first, Tommy had never thought about acting. He had no interest in being on stage, and the idea of performing seemed terrifying to him. Tommy admitted in an interview with The Herald that he was “petrified” of going up on stage. He had never acted before, and the thought of it scared him.
But the attack made him think more about his life and the chances he should take. He realized that he didn’t want to live with regrets, so he decided to give acting a try.
Tommy joined Bobby at the Raindog Theatre Company and quickly found himself in the acting world. Though he was initially afraid, he found that acting was something he could connect with. Soon, he started booking roles in several notable films. He appeared in Braveheart, Face/Off, and Gladiator.
These roles were important milestones in Tommy’s career. But it wasn’t until 2008 that he landed the role that would make him a household name: Chibs in Sons of Anarchy.
How Sons of Anarchy Incorporated Tommy Flanagan’s Real-Life Story
In Sons of Anarchy, Tommy played Chibs, a tough, scarred member of the SAMCRO club. While Chibs is a fictional character, the show’s creator, Kurt Sutter, decided to incorporate elements of Tommy’s real-life experiences into the character. Tommy’s accent was one of the first things that made Chibs stand out.
Tommy was very clear from the beginning that he would only do his own Glasgow accent. He wasn’t interested in using an American accent or pretending to be from somewhere else. As he said in an interview with Vulture, “I’m doing a Glasgow accent. I ain’t going to fuck around, I ain’t going to play games, but no one’s going to understand me.”
The show’s producers loved Tommy’s authentic accent, and they decided to keep it for the character of Chibs. The character also bore similarities to Tommy’s own life. Kurt Sutter chose the nickname “Chibs” for Tommy’s character after researching Scottish slang.
“Chibs” is slang for a knife in Scotland, and this nickname was particularly personal for Tommy. It reminded him of the violent attack he had suffered years earlier.
Tommy was initially unsure about the nickname. He didn’t realize just how personal it would be until he started playing the character. “Sutter obviously Googled it somewhere, way back during the pilot,” Tommy explained. “He said, ‘Do you mind if I call you Chibs?’ At the time, I didn’t give it much thought. Then I thought, why the fuck did I agree to that name? It’s just too personal.”
Despite the initial difficulty in bringing his personal experience into the character, Tommy eventually saw the benefits of it. He explained that it gave Chibs a level of authenticity that other characters didn’t have. Tommy said that even though Chibs was often on the sidelines of the show, the personal connection to the character made it all worth it.
The Impact of Tommy Flanagan’s Real-Life Scars on Chibs’ Character
Tommy’s real-life scars became an important part of Chibs’ character in Sons of Anarchy. The connection between Tommy’s life and the character of Chibs added a depth to the role. Even though Chibs was often not the main focus of the show, the personal elements helped make him one of the most memorable characters.
Tommy shared that, although his character was often in the background, it was still rewarding when Chibs finally got more attention in the later seasons.
Tommy was proud of the way his character had evolved. In an interview, he said, “I’ve been impressed with this season. I’m happy he’s finally bringing characters like mine to life.” It was a long journey for Tommy, from being a DJ in Glasgow to becoming an actor with a role that brought both his past and present together in a way that felt genuine.
Final Thoughts on Tommy Flanagan and Chibs
Tommy Flanagan’s journey from DJ to actor and his role as Chibs in Sons of Anarchy is an inspiring story. His real-life scars became an important part of Chibs’ identity on the show, giving the character a layer of authenticity that couldn’t be faked.
The personal connection between Tommy’s past and Chibs’ role made it a unique and memorable part of the show, showing how the lines between reality and fiction can sometimes blur in the most meaningful ways.
