Best known as a comedian and presenter, the movie will see Kielty in his “first dramatic role”.
Patrick Kielty will make his debut as the host of The Late Late Show on Friday, 15 September and then a week later will be the star of a movie in cinemas.
That film is titled Ballywalter and focuses on the unexpected connection made between divorced middle-aged man, Shane (Kielty), and a younger university dropout turned taxi driver named Eileen (Seána Kerslake – A Date for Mad Mary, Bad Sisters) in the titular Northern Irish town.
The plot synopsis for the comedy-drama reads:
“Eileen (Seána Kerslake, IFTA-nominated for her role) is a caustic, unrepentant University dropout whose dreams of a successful life in London have fallen by the wayside. Back at home with her mum, she makes ends meet by working as an unlicensed driver in her ex-boyfriend’s minicab.
“Shane (Patrick Kielty) has exiled himself in Ballywalter following the break-up of his marriage, but now he’s trying to get his life back on track by enrolling in a stand-up comedy course.
“When Shane calls a taxi to get him to his classes, Eileen answers and a surprising connection is made. As the two spend time together shuttling back and forth, a beautiful friendship develops, leading both to a moment of realisation.”
Marking the directorial film debut of Prasanna Puwanarajah and written by Stacey Gregg (Here Before), Ballywalter will see Kielty – best known as a comedian and presenter – in what is being billed as his “first dramatic role”.
Also featuring amongst its cast Conor MacNeill (Industry), the comedy-drama has already received some very positive reviews on the festival circuit.
Off the strength of this glowing reception, Ballywalter will arrive in Irish and UK cinemas from 22 September. You can check out the trailer for the film right here:
And for all of this week’s other major teasers in the world of film and TV, scroll below:
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt
Starting off with movies, this American drama produced by Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) charts the growth, loves, and heartbreaks of a Black woman in Mississippi, from her childhood through her adult years.
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt does not have a release date yet but will screen at the 2023 New York Film Festival that kicks off next month.
Blackberry
Glenn Howerton and Jay Baruchel star in this already acclaimed Stateside biographical comedy-drama about the rise and fall of the BlackBerry line of mobile phones.
Blackberry lands in Irish cinemas on 6 October.
El Conde
Pablo Larraín, the director of the beloved biopics Jackie and Spencer, returns to Chile for this satire that imagines that the dictator Augusto Pinochet was a vampire.
El Conde (‘The Count’ in English) will land on Netflix on 15 September.
Equalizer 3
Out in Irish cinemas on 30 August, Denzel Washington returns as action man Robert McCall for this Italy-set final entry in his Equalizer trilogy.
Fair Play
In this erotic thriller, an unexpected promotion at a cutthroat hedge fund pushes a young couple (Alden Ehrenreich and Phoebe Dynevor) and their relationship to the brink, threatening to unravel far more than their recent engagement.
Acquired by Netflix after receiving rave reviews out at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, Fair Play will arrive on the streamer on 13 October.
Vacation Friends 2
John Cena, Lil Rel Howery, Meredith Hagner and Yvonne Orji are back for more holiday antics in this comedy sequel coming to Disney+ in Ireland on 25 August.
You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah
Adam Sandler and his two daughters Sadie and Sunny are among the cast of this comedy drama landing on Netflix on 25 August about two best friends whose bat mitzvah plans get affected by a popular boy.
The Changeling
Moving onto TV, Oscar-nominee LaKeith Stanfield (Judas and the Black Messiah) stars in this horror fantasy series as a man who goes in search of his wife (Clark Backo) after she does something horrific in the aftermath of their first child being born.
The Changeling will premiere on Apple TV+ on 8 September.
The Continental: From the World of John Wick
This three-part prequel to John Wick, focusing on the adventures of a young Winston (Colin Woodell) in ’70s New York, will premiere on Prime Video in Ireland on 22 September.
Welcome to Wrexham Season 2
Last but not least, Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ sports documentary series chronicling their ownership of Wrexham A.F.C. returns for a second season on 13 September.
Read more:
- One of the best comedy shows of recent years has just been added to Netflix
- One of the best mystery shows of recent years has returned for a second season
- Oppenheimer is difficult to hear on purpose, according to movie’s director
- First details on Stranger Things’ final season revealed
- David Spade recalls being threatened with jail for taking part of Pope photo ripped by Sinéad O’Connor
- Unseen version of Suicide Squad movie gets exciting update
- Underrated sci-fi with Cillian Murphy being praised for predicting the future
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
