Eight shows are in production, but only three will hit TV.
RTÉ’s Storyland is back, and there’s a strong chance we’ll see something we’ve never seen before.
The program, in conjunction with Screen Ireland, has been responsible for getting several films and shows off the ground and on the air, perhaps most notably The Hardy Bucks.
Over 200 applicants tried their chance at being the next big homegrown drama, with only eight being selected for development.
But the drama (see what we did there?) doesn’t end there.
Of the eight shows that are being developed, only three will be commissioned for production and premiere on both RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player.
‘It’s brilliant to bring commissioned drama back to RTÉ2 in the shape of a new supe-rsized Storyland with three new single dramas for the autumn,” said David Crean, Acting Head of Drama at RTÉ.
“It was an extremely hard decision to select the eight teams to go into development, but we are very excited by the unique voices and the wide range of stories coming through this year.”
Andrew Byrne, Television Project Manager at Screen Ireland, said he was “thrilled with the calibre of talent and stories received through the submission process”.
The winners will receive 25-minute episodes that will broadcast later this year.
Here’s the synopsis of the eight different shows being developed at the moment:
BALOR HALL by Rioghnach Ni Ghrioghair
Producer: Deirdre Levins, Fantastic Films
You are cordially invited to Balor Hall… Murder is on the menu. This is a Knives Out/Succession whodunnit around a family land grab set in a large country house.
BLOOD AND WATER by Nessa Wrafter
Producer: Rebecca O’Flanagan, Treasure Entertainment
A woman’s peaceful life is disrupted by the return of her long lost sister, and everyone expects her to be happy about it.
Joy and pain come hand in hand as the siblings try to rebuild their relationship.
EVERY FIVE MILES by Sinéad Collopy
Producers: Colmán Mac Cionnaith & Cormac Fox, Vico Films
In sight but out of mind; a young petrol station attendant is drawn into the harsh world of a trafficked immigrant car washer, torn between speaking out at the risk of losing everything.
FIXATION by Joy Buckle
Producer: Stephen McCormack, Reflektor Media
A woman is cyber-stalked and is terrified. The stalker ends up being her new partner.
A story about surveillance, stalking and entrapment.
GOODNIGHT GIRL by Hiram Harrington
Producer: Maggie Ryan, Escape Pod Media
Four queer friends attend the funeral of their trans friend, only to find her conservative family is burying her under her dead name and denying her true gender.
The friends band together to carry out her last wishes – steal her ashes, and have their own funeral for her.
MUSTARD by Eva O’Connor
Producer: Jason Forde, Four Quadrant Films
Eilis is addicted to mustard. When she falls madly in love, she’s sure her demons are finally banished, but when the relationship breaks down her shameful addiction to the yellow stuff returns with a vengeance.
SMALL FISH by Simon Delaney
Producer: Owen McCardle, Oddboy Media
A self-employed everyman is on the brink, as he struggles with the loss of his father, his family home and the love and respect of those close to him.
As he continues to run out of options, one looms large, but could the death of a local politician provide a way out?
WARD-7 by Jonathan Hughes
Producers: Ali Doyle & Trish Ryan for Savage Productions
The Ward family are in a race against time to get to hospital as one of their youngest is about to give birth.
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