Northern Irish screenwriter Colin Bateman’s first ever Irish language series, ‘Scúp’, will air on TG4 tonight.
Set in a struggling Irish language newspaper in Belfast, ‘Scúp’ centres on journalist Rob Cullan, played by Don Wycherley, who is persuaded to leave his high-flying job in England and return to the community he grew up in to rescue his ailing publication.
In fighting for the paper’s survival, Cullan takes over temporarily as editor, and soon finds he is not only up against the local economy, but also his own staff.
Cormac, played by Donncha Crowley, who expected the editor’s chair, resents Cullan’s appointment and sets about undermining him. Janine, played by Caitríona Ní Mhurchú, has a hold on both the paper’s finances and its owner, and is determined to maintain her influence over both.
The series is directed by Declan Recks (Eden) and produced by Peter Norris (Pure Mule) for Belfast-based Stirling Television and TG4 and BBC Northern Ireland.
The series was funded by Northern Ireland Screen, the Irish Language Broadcast Fund and the BAI.
‘Scúp’ is the first full TV series Bateman has written since his BBC drama ‘Murphy’s Law’, which starred James Nesbitt. Originally from Co Down in Northern Ireland, Bateman is known for the feature films ‘Wild About Harry’ and ‘Divorcing Jack’.
‘Scúp’ will air on TG4 on Wednesdays, starting tonight, February 27, at 10pm, and on BBC Two from March 3 at 10pm.
