In a recent interview, DERRY GIRLS McSweeney criticised the lack of education in England about Northern Ireland. She said, “A sitcom is teaching this country about the history of Northern Ireland, and that’s not how it should be.” She spoke to the show about what should have been an emotional ending to a sitcom, but yet proves that often the past is not quite the past.
James Nesbitt has said he does not “set out” to star in dark dramas playing the role of a policeman but over his career the opportunities have presented themselves. The Northern Irish actor, 57, will star as veteran detective Danny Frater in Channel 4’s new crime thriller SUSPECT. Nesbitt has played various characters throughout his career, with a number of them falling into the police genre, including his roles in the hit shows BLOODLANDS and LINE OF DUTY.
Apple TV+ has announced a series order for SUGAR, a new genre-bending series hailing from creator and executive producer Mark Protosevich with Colin Farrell attached to executive produce and star in the lead role. SUGAR becomes Farrell’s latest TV role following HBO anthology TRUE DETECTIVE. Exact plot details for the show remain under wraps, aside from the fact that it is described as a genre-bending contemporary take on the private detective story set in Los Angeles.
With an eclectic ensemble cast on blistering form, THE DRY is worth every moment of emotional investment audiences can spare. This masterful Dublin-set show from Normal People’s production company follows a recovering alcoholic – and it’s as dark and nourishing as a pint of Guinness! It comes from the same production team as NORMAL PEOPLE.
Jamie Dornan’s big 2022 might get even better before 2023 comes calling. The Co Down actor, who starred in Kenneth Branagh’s Oscar-winning BELFAST also made a splash this year thanks to his star turn in the lauded HBO Max series THE TOURIST which is aiming for Emmy nominations, according to a report last week in Hollywood trade bible Variety.
PEAKY BLINDERS returns to Netflix with six more episodes in the violent life of the Shelby family. After COVID-related production delays and the death of lead actress Helen McCrory, Peaky creator Steven Knight has said series 6 will be its last, with the action moving to feature-length film territory and perhaps even spinoffs. For now, Tommy Shelby is trying to keep it all together as the end of Prohibition brings new opportunity and the chance for more catastrophe.
Line of Duty producer World Productions has announced plans for a medical drama starring Irish actress Niamh Algar. MALPRACTICE will be directed by Boiling Point’s Philip Barantini and written by former doctor Grace Ofori-Attah. The five-part ITV series will follow Dr Lucinda Edwards on a nightmare shift that ends in the death of an opioid overdose victim, Edith Owusu.
On Friday night’s LATE LATE SHOW in Ireland, Jessie, 32, and her newest collaborator, British guitarist Bernard Butler, wowed the audience with their song “20 Years A-Growing.” Jessie and Bernard recorded an album, For All the Days That Tear the Heart, due for release this month, and they’ll be promoting their finished product with in-person shows including the All Together Now festival in Co. Waterford from July 29-31.