BARRY & CILLIAN LEAD SCREEN IRELAND LINE-UP Bleating glimpse of 2024
New slate of film and TV dramas are hoped to have the audiences flocking
MAJOR new movies starring Barry Keoghan as a shepherd and Cillian Murphy as a coal merchant are among dozens of projects being backed by Screen Ireland in 2024.
The full new slate of movies and TV shows was announced as Screen Ireland – the agency for the Irish film industry – revealed its spend on TV production increased 16 per cent to €55million in 2023, with eight drama series on the way.
Keoghan will star in the forthcoming movie Bring Them Down, a thriller about an Irish shepherd who is drawn into a cycle of violence when his sheep are massacred by an unknown man.
The movie, set to be released later this year, also stars Colm Meaney and Nora-jane Noone.
“I can’t wait for audiences to see Bring Them Down very soon, and am delighted the film is part of the Screen Ireland slate,” said Keoghan.
PROUD
“It’s an amazing time to be telling Irish stories. Being able to shoot at home with an Irish crew – who are some of the best in the world – is always incredibly special to me.
“I’m so proud to see how many new filmmakers and actors are coming out of Ireland, ready to take on the world.”
Fresh from the success of his Oscar nomination for Oppenheimer, Cillian Murphy will next be seen on our screens in Small Things Like These. The drama – which was shot on location in Co Wexford last year – is adapted from the much-loved story by Irish author Claire Keegan, whose other tale Foster was made into the movie The Quiet Girl.
Set in the year 1984, Small Things Like These revolves around the weeks leading up to Christmas, as a coal merchant makes a discovery while delivering to the local convent.
“I’m delighted for Small Things Like These to be part of the Screen Ireland Slate for 2024,” said Murphy, who also worked as a producer on the film.
“Working on this film with director Tim Mielants and screenwriter Enda Walsh – as well as the film’s outstanding cast and crew in Wexford, Wicklow and Dublin – was an incredible experience.
“It’s a wonderful time for Irish filmmaking, and I’m proud to be part of putting Irish stories on the screen that tell us about ourselves: our past and present.”
Other movies on the way include Kneecap, which features the Belfast rappers and was critically acclaimed following its world premiere at Sundance last week.
Spilt Milk, which stars Irish actress Danielle Galligan – best known for the Netflix series Shadow and Bone – will also
Being able to shoot at home with an Irish crew is always incredibly special to me
BARRY KEOGHAN ON MAKING NEW FILM ‘BRING THEM DOWN’
be coming to Irish screens.
It tells the story of a boy who dreams of becoming a detective like his hero Kojak.
And Irish-language thriller Fréamhacha will tell the tale of a care worker who’s sent to a remote village to look after an agoraphobic woman.
Kin star Claire Dunne, Peter Coonan and Hazel Doupe will all star in Kathleen is Here, a thriller revolving around a teenager who is fresh out of foster care.
Irish TV drama will see eight Screen Irelandsupported series this year working with RTE, Virgin Media, TG4 and a range of international broadcasters.
These include The Boy That Never Was, a thriller directed by Hannah Quinn, adapted from Karen Perry’s novel by crime author and
I’m proud to part of putting Irish stories on the screen that tell us about ourselves
CILLIAN MURPHY ON HIS NEW FILM ‘SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE’
Housewife of the Year to true crime investigation from Charlie Bird, Ransom ’79.
Screen Ireland figures show that, in 2023, there was a total screen industry production spend in the Irish economy across local goods and services of €322million – despite international disruption due to industry strikes. The total spend on TV production increased by 16 per cent to €55million.
And 38 per cent of productions were directed or written by new filmmakers.
Susan Bergin, Chair of Fis Eireann/screen Ireland, said: “On behalf of the Board and staff of Screen Ireland, we’re delighted to launch our 2024 Production Slate, as well as a look back at what a phenomenal achievement 2023 was in terms of the Irish industry’s global reputation and acclaim.
“Our priorities remain to support skills development nationwide, the nurturing of new talent and voices, and funding Irish screen stories across film, television and animation.”