Production is set to begin on Stephen Burke’s debut feature film ‘Happy Ever Afters’ in Bray and Wicklow next week. Brit actors Sally Hawkins (Happy Go Lucky, Layer Cake) and Tom Riley (I Want Candy) lead the cast with Irish talent Eamonn Hunt (The Running Mate), Simon Delaney (Bachelors Walk) and Tina Kellegher (Showbands, The Snapper) among the supporting roles.
‘Happy Ever Afters’ follows the story of Freddie (Riley) and Maura (Hawkins) - both are getting married – but not to each other. Maura is set to marry a Nigerian immigrant (to be played by ‘Doctors’ star Aryon Bakare) and Freddie will wed his girlfriend Sophie for the second time. Both weddings collide when they arrive at the same hotel for their receptions.
Irish actress Jade Yourell, best known for playing Jasmine in ‘Fair City’, will tackle the role of uptight Sophie with other Irish actors including Kellegher, Hunt, Delaney, Sinead Maguire (New Boy), Michael McElhatton (Spin the Bottle) and Tomas O’Suilleabhain (Studs) landing roles among the supporting cast.
The five week production will being in Bray on 14 July with DOP Jonathan Kovel (Twelve Disciples of Nelson Mandela, Anner House) shooting on HD. Production Design is by John Hand (Song for a Raggy Boy) with Costume Design by Aisling Byrne (Murphy’s Law, Single Handed, Killinaskully).
The Irish/German co-production is produced by Lesley McKimm of Newgrange Pictures (the company behind the mulit-award winning ‘Kings’) and Christine Rupert of Germany’s Tatfilm. Jane Doolan is exec producer. Post production will take place in Germany. Films Distribution are handling sales.
