‘EastEnders’ spin-off announces Irish cast.
BBC One has announced an all Irish cast for brand new six-part BBC One drama, Redwater.
Redwater is a tiny, picturesque Irish harbour village, a quiet rural idyll by the sea where the Kelly and Dolan families have lived for generations. When EastEnders Kat and Alfie Moon (Jessie Wallace and Shane Ritchie) arrive in search of Kat’s long-lost son, Kat’s quest for the truth uncovers secrets that the village of Redwater would rather were left buried at sea.
The cast of Irish actors include, Fionnula Flanagan (Lost), Maria Doyle Kennedy (Orphan Black), Ian McElhinney (Game Of Thrones), Angeline Ball (Shameless) Peter Campion (Brooklyn) and Stanley Townsend (The Hollow Crown),
Oisin Stack, Stephen Hogan, Susan Ateh, Ian Toner and Ebony O’Toole-Acheampong also feature.
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Executive Producer, says: “It was our intention from the start to create a new contemporary ensemble drama set in Ireland, and we are so thrilled and lucky to have such a talented team on board for Redwater. It is testament to the quality of Jesper, Matthew and the other writers, as well as Vicky’s tenacity, that we have assembled such a high calibre of cast and crew to join Shane and Jessie in such a beautiful setting. We all know that we are creating something that is going to be very special.”
Redwater will be directed by multi-award winning Danish director Jesper Nielsen (Borgen, Through A Glass Darkly) and written by EastEnders’ alumni including Life On Mars creator Matthew Graham; Julie Dixon (Casualty); Lauren Klee (EastEnders) and Matthew Barry (Banana).
Director Jesper Nielsen says: “We have a really important and fantastic story to tell. About how one woman’s search for a lost child opens a Pandora’s box, revealing the terrible lies and secrets in the little village of Redwater. A story about how the strong bonds of love in a family can hold everything together, and yet at the same time destroy everything. It has echoes of a Shakespearean drama, told in a rich cinematic style, loaded with humour and suspense. I cannot wait to start shooting and see the characters coming to life.”
Jessie Wallace says: “I walked into the drama read-through to a table full of wonderful Irish actors and it was thrilling. They all made me feel so very welcome as we started to read the first script. It’s going to be a rollercoaster!”
Redwater is made by Grafton House Productions in association with Element Pictures. Filming begins this week in Ireland, and will be broadcast on BBC One in 2017.
