Filming underway in Galway for new drama thriller series, North Sea Connection
Posted: 19th October 2021
Filming for new Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland supported drama thriller series, North Sea Connection, is now underway in Galway.
The brand new thriller is produced by Irish production company, Subotica and MOPAR Studios for NENT Group and co-produced by RTÉ, in association with Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, with support from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), and The Western Regional Audiovisual Producers Fund (WRAP), and distributed by A+E Networks® International. It will be broadcast on RTÉ One and streamed on RTÉ Player and NENT Group’s Viaplay streaming service in 2022.
The six-part drama series, North Sea Connection features an exciting Irish, Nordic and international cast including Lydia McGuinness (Sing Street), Dónall Ó Héalaí (Arracht), Kieran O'Reilly (Vikings), Kerr Logan (Game of Thrones), Sinéad Cusack (V for Vendetta), Alida Morberg (Black Lake), and Claes Ljungmark (Borg vs. McEnroe).
Lead character Ciara (Lydia McGuinness) confronts the dramatic consequences of her brother Aidan’s (Kerr Logan) decision to transport drugs at sea. Threatened by a cartel and with a Swedish police officer (Alida Morberg) closing in, Ciara’s plans lead her family into a world of unpredictable and dangerous events.
The new drama series will showcase Irish filmmaking talent on the international stage, including Tristan Orpen Lynch and Aoife O’Sullivan from Irish production company Subotica. The production is bringing significant investment to Ireland’s west coast and is funded by a number of Irish partners, including Screen Ireland, BAI, and the WRAP (Western Region Audiovisual Producers) fund.
Andrew Byrne, Television Project Manager at Screen Ireland said: “We are delighted that North Sea Connection is now in production with such a talented cast, crew, and team attached. It is a further regional investment for Screen Ireland and we look forward to seeing some of Ireland’s stunning west coast on screen in what will be a thrilling international drama”.
Tristan Orpen Lynch, Subotica said: “We are delighted that season one of North Sea Connection is now in production with such a great cast and crew. It is a truly original drama set in the stunning West Coast of Ireland and made possible by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, RTÉ, and BAI, along with our international partners. We look forward to bringing this story to Irish audiences and continuing growing Ireland’s output and reputation for quality drama production with International audiences.”
Filippa Wallestam, NENT Group Chief Content Officer: “The combination of high-stakes drama, top talents on both sides of the camera, and of course a Nordic twist gives this series the ingredients of a top-drawer thriller. Viaplay’s storytelling knows no borders and with its unique setting, ‘North Sea Connection’ will be a compelling addition to our fast-growing international slate.”
Jessica Pope, Creative Director, MOPAR Studios added: “North Sea Connection is an emotional and entertaining drama about a resilient, traditional west coast Irish fishing family, wrapped around an exciting thriller story. It’s about the fall and rise of the Kennys and their struggle to survive while being dragged into the world of drug running. It’s a story about organised crime coming to a small, out-of-the-way community and threatening to overwhelm it and we can’t wait to bring it to life.”
North Sea Connection is written by Mark Greig (‘Bulletproof’) and directed by Paul Murphy (‘Red Election’) and Hannah Quinn (‘The Stranger’). The series is executive produced for Viaplay and Ireland’s RTÉ by Jess Pope, Christian Alveborg, William Diskay, and Jonas Fors at MOPAR Studios, Jon Petersson at Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group), David Crean at RTÉ, Andrew Byrne at Screen Ireland, and Tristan Orpen Lynch and Aoife O’Sullivan for Subotica. Nell Green (‘You Were Never Really Here; ‘Medici’) is producing the series. International distribution is by A+E Networks® International. Funding for the series has been provided by Screen Ireland, the Broadcasting Authority Ireland (BAI), and Western Region Audiovisual Producers (WRAP) Fund.