First look at upcoming drama Northern Lights coming to TG4 next month
Posted: 13th October 2023
Deadpan Pictures in association with Screen Ireland today released a series of official first-look images of homegrown stars Stephen Jones, Elva Trill and Jay Duffy in their lead roles in the new Irish original series Northern Lights. The six-part series from Lionsgate and Screen Ireland is set to premiere on TG4 next month.
Northern Lights is Stephen Jones’s (Love/Hate, KIN, Red Rock) screenwriting debut, with the Dubliner taking up a starring role as haplessly optimistic Lloyd, whose life has been turned upside down by a tragic event which has threatened to unravel his otherwise happy life.
Talking about the series, Stephen said:
As a proud Dubliner, I’ve always wanted to tell stories of this beautiful city and everyday characters living extraordinary lives. We meet Lloyd at a point in his life where everything seems to be spiralling and he is looking for a light in the darkness; something he finds in his unlikely friendship with Áine. It is a truly hopeful series, and I am absolutely delighted with how it turned out, it is a dream come true!”
Award-winning and Silgo native, Elva Trill (Line of Duty, Ripper Street, Jurassic World: Dominion, Starstruck) stars alongside Stephen in the series as strongminded Áine, who seeks solitude as she struggles to navigate her grief and cope with her own feelings of loss.
Elva Trill said:
Northern Lights is such an emotionally powerful tale which I think is captured beautifully in this first look. The series is a wonderful rollercoaster of complex feelings as we learn how Aine and Lloyd cope with their own struggles and discover that not everyone’s journey through grief is the same. It was a real privilege to work on something so character driven and I’m really proud to be representing Ireland in this series.”
Rising Irish star Jay Duffy (Derry Girls, The Wheel of Time) rounds out the leading lineup by taking up the role of Seán, a young man suffering from his own mental health issues while trying to balance his relationship with Áine.
Reflecting on his character, Jay said:
It has been an honour to deep dive into such a complex character with Seán. We took great care to present a nuanced and realistic portrayal of his mental health struggles and I hope audiences appreciate the show’s emotional depth while finding an uplifting message of hope in the series.”
Northern Lights also features a strong supporting cast lineup including emerging talent Jennifer Heylen (The Pod Generation, Noise) who plays Lloyd’s estranged partner Denise, who moved from Belgium to Ireland before falling in love with Lloyd. Denise McCormack (The Black Guelph, Kin, Deadly Cuts) takes up the role of Sandra, Don Wycherley (Father Ted, Wild Mountain Thyme, Flora and Son) plays Paul, Kevin McGahern (Clear History, Hardy Bucks) is Tony and Eoin Duffy (The Dry, Pixie, Big Boys, Deadly Cuts) plays Liam.
Set in Dublin North City Centre’s Capel Street and Northside Quays, Northern Lights tells the story of two grieving strangers, Lloyd (Stephen Jones) and Áine (Elva Trill), whose worlds collide when Lloyd notices Áine standing on Grattan bridge. Fearing the worst, he decides to intervene. A series of revelations, confessions, secrets and lies follow leading to Lloyd and Áine becoming beacons of light for one another when they need it most, negotiating the obvious gender politics and initial awkwardness of meeting in such unusual circumstances.
As Lloyd and Aíne’s friendship develops, the show deals with the stories of their respective partners, Seán (Jay Duffy) and Denise (Jennifer Heylen). It soon becomes apparent that both are dealing with major grief and tragedy. Honest and heartfelt with moments of disarming humour and joy, Northern Lights explores how resilient people can be in the face of tragedy and is ultimately a story about hope.
Northern Lights is adapted from the original stage play by Stephen Jones and produced by Deadpan Pictures in Association with Lionsgate and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland. In co-production with ZDF & TG4. With the Support of Investment Incentives for the Irish Film Industry provided by the Government of Ireland, the Tax Shelter of the Belgian Federal Government, the Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF) of the Government of Flanders and Screen Flanders.
Northern Lights will premiere exclusively on TG4 next month. Take a look at the exclusive first look images below. (2023 Northern Lights © Deadpan Pictures / TG4 / Screen Ireland)
