Variety is reporting that production is underway on new Irish comedy-drama The South Westerlies, which is being produced by Deadpan Pictures after being commissioned by RTÉ and Acorn Media Enterprises, alongside ZDF Enterprises, TV2 Norway and in association with Screen Ireland.
Filming began in mid-September and the ten-week shoot will continue until mid-November. Locations include Wicklow town, Cork, and Oslo. Anagram Norway are providing production services in Oslo.
When a small coastal town in the south-west of Ireland is earmarked for a Norwegian-owned wind farm, it’s not just the spectacular scenery that’s under pressure. For a single working mother, tasked with going undercover to bring the project home, her eco-battle is compounded by the return of a crinkly-eyed surfer with an unmistakable resemblance to her teenage son.
Based in Dublin, Kate Ryan is working as an Environmental Compliance consultant for Norwegian energy giant Noreg Oil, she’s on the verge of a lucrative promotion and transfer to HQ in Oslo. But there’s a caveat; a final assignment for NorskVentus (Noreg Oil’s new wind-power subsidiary).
Despite getting planning permission for their wind farm, offshore from the West Cork town of Carrigeen, ongoing local protests are creating a PR nightmare. Kate must go undercover to Carrigeen, quash objections before the six-week Appeals deadline and smooth the path for imminent turbine installation, or her promotion is off the table. She’s furious, and her son Conor’s not pleased either. Six weeks with his mother in West Cork wasn’t on his summer agenda. But uppermost in Kate’s mind is keeping old secrets firmly under wraps.
The South Westerlies is created by Catherine Maher and written by Catherine Maher, Hugh Travers, Hilary Reynolds, and Michelle Duffy. The six part series is directed by Simon Gibney (Doctors Nowhere Fast) and Declan Recks (Drop Dead Weird, The Flag, Pure Mule).
Acorn Media Enterprises with its distributor Acorn Media International, has secured all rights in North America, Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom; and secondary rights in Ireland. ZDF Enterprises will distribute the series in the rest of the world. The South Westerlies will premiere in 2020 on RTÉ in Ireland and shortly thereafter on AMC Networks’ streaming service Acorn TV in the United States as an Acorn TV Original.
The South Westerlies boasts an impressive ensemble of acclaimed actors including, Orla Brady (American Horror Story, Mistresses,) as Kate, Eileen Walsh (Catastrophe, Women on the Verge, Can’t Cope Won’t Cope) as Breege, Ger Ryan (Little Dog, Rialto, Raw) as Noreen, Sam Barrett as Conor, Lily Nichol (MJ, Handymen) as Poppy, Steve Wall (Vikings, An Klondike, Rebellion) as Baz and Patrick Bergin (Sleeping with the Enemy, Patriot Games, EastEnders, Red Rock) as Michael.
As a public service media organisation, creating and delivering original Irish drama and comedy in partnership with the independent production sector is an important part of RTÉ’s role. We’re very proud to support and develop this exciting project with such a talented cast. It’s been great working together with Deadpan Pictures, Acorn, Screen Ireland and ZDF Enterprises to bring this new homegrown six-part drama from script to screen for our viewers on RTÉ One.
Shane Murphy, Group Head of Drama and Comedy – RTÉ
With an impressive ensemble cast led by Orla Brady, a picturesque setting, and first-rate writing, The South Westerlies will definitely interest Acorn TV’s subscribers and audiences worldwide. Acorn is excited to be working with our friends at RTÉ, Deadpan Pictures, Screen Ireland, and ZDF Enterprises to produce another high-quality drama.
Catherine Mackin, Managing Director – Acorn Media Enterprises
The South Westerlies is very much a series for our climate-changing-times, an ensemble comedy drama set in a picturesque seaside town divided. It’s warm and funny, while also shot through with darker shenanigans. Alongside our brilliant cast and crew, it’s great to be partnering again with Acorn, RTÉ, ZDF Enterprises and Screen Ireland to bring The South Westerlies to both Irish and international audiences alike.
Ailish McElmeel, Co-founder, Deadpan Pictures
We are thrilled to add this exciting drama series to our slate. It combines entertainment, suspense and ‘something for the soul’. The compelling mix of Irish and Norwegian elements in the series will be a must have for every channel in 2020.
Robert Franke, VP ZDFE.drama – ZDF Enterprises
We are delighted to support the development and production of The South Westerlies as part of Screen Ireland’s new focus on episodic TV drama. Deadpan Pictures is a dynamic Irish company going from strength to strength, with a growing slate of high-end comedy and drama TV shows. With The South Westerlies, Catherine Maher has created an unapologetically warm and funny piece of Sunday night entertainment. The show will bring Irish talent and images of Ireland to audiences across the US and worldwide.
Teresa McGrane, Deputy Chief Executive – Screen Ireland
The South Westerlies is series produced by Ailish McElmeel for Deadpan Pictures and produced by Candida Julian-Jones. Executive producers include Shane Murphy and Justin Healy for RTÉ, Catherine Mackin and Bea Tammer from Acorn Media Enterprises, Paul Donovan for Deadpan Pictures, Ann Kolbjørnsen and Ole Marius Araldsen for Anagram.
The South Westerlies is produced by Deadpan Pictures (Ireland) in association with RTÉ, Acorn TV with its UK-based development division Acorn Media Enterprises, ZDF Enterprises and Screen Ireland.
The South Westerlies comes on the heels of recent RTÉ co-production drama series’ including Taken Down, Finding Joy, Women on the Verge and Striking Out. Acorn Media Enterprises co-produced Striking Out and Finding Joy and also premiered Taken Down in the U.S.