Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board Regrets the Passing of Irish Screenwriter Frank Deasy
Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board wishes to extend its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Frank Deasy, who passed away this week.Speaking today, James Morris, Chairman Bord Scannan na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board said: "Frank Deasy was a renowned Emmy award winning Irish screenwriter whose career has spanned over three decades across film and television, whose work has reached millions of viewers across the globe. The passing of Frank marks the loss of a major talent who will be missed by the Irish film and television industry, however he has left a lasting legacy in his written words which will be watched by audiences for years to come."
Frank Deasy's television credits include PRIME SUSPECT - THE FINAL ACT, the last in the Prime Suspect series directed by Philip Martin and starring Helen Mirren for which he won a number of awards including a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for A Miniseries and was nominated for the Best Writer award at the BAFTA Awards 2007.
Deasy was selected by the BBC to pen the script for its Easter prime time special THE PASSION, a five part drama about the last week in Christ's life directed by Michael Offer, produced for BBC One and HBO. Other credits include LOOKING AFTER JO JO, an original four part drama, directed by John Mackenzie and starring Robert Carlyle, Kevin McKidd and Jenny McCrindlle for BBC Scotland which was nominated for a Royal Television Society award for Best Drama Serial.
His cinema credits include THE GRASS ARENA, directed by Gillies Mackinnon which won the prize for Best Film at the Edinburgh Film Festival 1991 and the award for Best Film and the Jury Prize at the Dinard Festival of British Film in 1991 and PROZAC NATION adapted from the book by Elizabeth Wurtzel starring Christina Ricci, Jessica Lange and Lou Reed.
Deasy was a founding member of Cityvision with Joe Lee and Hilary McLaughlin, one of the most innovative film partnerships in 1980s Dublin. He began his career when he wrote and directed the hard-hitting short film SOMETIME CITY and then brought the same grit and determination to show the Irish urban experience in his debut feature film THE COURIER, which he co-directed with Joe Lee at the tender age of 27.
More recently Deasy wrote the script for FATHER AND SON, an original four part drama directed by Brian Kirk which was broadcast on ITV and RTE earlier this year. Originally from Artane in Dublin, Frank has lived in Glasgow since 2000.