He was brought up in the rough working-class East End Barrowfield area of Glasgow.
Both of his parents were long-term drug addicts and much of his youth was spent amidst gang violence and petty crime.
Brannigan was originally cast in a one-off appearance in the BBC Scotland soap opera River City, but in spring 2013 returned for a recurring role as Gareth O'Connor.
[6] Brannigan had parts in the movies Under the Skin and Sunshine on Leith, and in 2014 appeared as Scotty in the fifth series of Irish crime drama Love/Hate and as Michael in the UK thriller Beyond.
He appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court where he was charged with assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement.