The most talked about movie of the year has an Irish connection. The cast and crew of COCAINE BEAR were in Ireland for the majority of the shoot. County Wicklow, a grassy and mountainous region of the Emerald Isle has become a favorite location for filmmakers all over the world for its proximity to Dublin and its scenic views. Apparently, County Wicklow and the Peach State of Georgia are more interchangeable than we thought.
As Dublin-set series THE DRY starts on RTÉ One March 1st, stars Roísín Gallagher and Moe Dunford tell David Roy what viewers can expect from this comedy drama centred on a dysfunctional family, which also features Belfast acting royalty Ciarán Hinds. Produced by BritBox in partnership with RTE, the eight-part series is written by Bafta-nominated playwright and screenwriter Nancy Harris and directed by Paddy Breathnach (ROSIE, I WENT DOWN).
Lisa McGee’s Northern Irish hit comedy DERRY GIRLS has been crowned champion of the Best Comedy Programme category at the Broadcast Awards 2023. The show also picked up the award for TV Moment of the Year at this year’s ceremony. “The show is comedy genius on every level,” said one judge, with another noting the consistently strong performances from the entire cast. McGee’s writing and ability to create “loveable, funny characters who you grow to love as friends” was another highlight for the judges, alongside the show’s “belly laughs with a strong political core”.
The actor and presenter on saying goodbye to DERRY GIRLS, her role in Disney’s new superhero comedy EXTRAORDINARY, and why she’s been given her own ‘infant’ table on POTTERY THROW DOWN. The Cork-born actress also discusses the possibility of a Sister Michael spin-off, the potential privatization of Channel 4 and how a feminine spirit has returned to Ireland.
THE TOMMY TIERNAN SHOW will be back for a seventh season in 2023. The brand-new series will run for 12 weeks, commencing on January 7. The popular chat show will air on RTÉ and maintains the format where Tiernan remains in the dark about who the guests are until they reach the stage. You can also catch Tommy in the epic new RTÉ documentary series EPIC WEST, which tells the story of the West of Ireland through the rich body of culture it has inspired, now on RTÉ Player.
DERRY GIRLS actress Síobhán McSweeney is recording Christmas messages for fans – and raising money for charity in the process. The Aherla native, who shot to fame for her role as Sister Michael in Derry Girls, has joined Cameo “for a limited time” ahead of Christmas Day. The actress, who is also known for her role in the telly adaption of Graham Norton’s novel HOLDING and for presenting THE GREAT POTTERY THROW DOWN, said she gets “so many requests for video messages” so she decided to join the platform for a limited time and raise money for charity in the process.
DERRY GIRLS actress Nicola Coughlan has confirmed she’s landed a role in Greta Gerwig’s BARBIE movie. The Irish actress shared the exciting news after Warner Bros. released the first teaser trailer for the film, which stars Margot Robbie as the iconic doll and Ryan Gosling as her love interest Ken. The BRIDGERTON star wrote on Instagram: “Thank you Greta Gerwig for having me as a tiny part of what I think is the greatest movie ever made.”
DERRY GIRLS creator Lisa McGee has vowed to continue to write about the “place I come from, the place I love” as she received the freedom of the city. The writer was awarded the freedom of Derry City and Strabane at a ceremony this week. Ms McGee becomes the first woman to receive the council’s highest honour. It is an “honour and a privilege” to be recognised in a city “steeped in story and full of storytellers,” she said.