A new eight-part Irish language drama series, with the working title ‘Féith’ is now shooting in Belfast. The series, aimed at teenagers and young adults, follows the highs and lows of seven first year budding stars at a fictional ‘Fame’-style performing arts school in Belfast.
The cast of ‘Féith’ includes IFTA winning actress Charlotte Bradley (About Adam, Proof), Tom Ó Súilleabháin (The Clinic, Intermission), Brid Ní Neachtain (Pure Mule, Love is the Drug), Brendan Murray (Trí Sceal) and former Ros Na Rún star Linda Bhreathnach.
The seven young students are played by Irish-speaking actors that were chosen after a nationwide talent search in May of this year.
The plot revolves around the fiery Eithne (Bhreathnach), whose turbulent love affair with charismatic DJ Pete (Eoghan McDermott) provides the series with its main dramatic storyline. Neasa Ni Chuanaigh plays nasty drama-queen Joanne, who is involved in an affair with a lecturer. Linda, played by Aoife Nic Ardghail, joins the school to escape her strict father, while Decko, played by Andrew Kavanagh is a talented student held back by his lack of self-belief. Decko falls head over heels for fellow student Caroline, played by Alana Nic Aindreasa, while Diarmaid Murtagh plays womanizer Brian
‘Féith’ is directed by Robert Quinn, who helmed the IFTA-award winning ‘Dead Bodies’, Irish language feature ‘Cré na Cille’ and RTE series ‘The Clinic’.
The series is produced by novelist and screenwriter Ferdia Mac Anna (author of novel ‘Last of the High Kings’), who also produced BAFTA award winning comedy series ‘Custer’s Last Stand Up’.
The production began with a series of writer’s workshops with six young Irish language and Scots Gaelic writers, and MnE Productions intend to film and broadcast a Scottish Language version of the series in 2008.
The series was devised by Anne Learmont, with script development executive Dearbhla Regan and storylined by Anne and Aibhe Nic Giolla Bhrighde. Other writers on the series are Louise Ni Fhiannachta, Gemma Breathnach, Collen Ni Bhraonain, Sean de Gallai and Edel Ní Dhrisceoil. Tim Fleming, whose work includes award-winning feature ‘Once’, is director of photography.
‘Féith’ is the result of a collaboration between Northern Ireland’s Stirling Film and Television Productions, Scotland’s MnE Productions, EO Teilifis and Dublin’s Tyrone Productions, who formed a partnership in September 2006 with the aim of producing new TV drama projects.
The series is funded by Northern Ireland Screen Commission/Irish Language Broadcasting Fund, Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, TG4 and the Irish Film Board. ‘Féith’ is due to screen on TG4 early next year.
