Commissioned by RTÉ Young Peoples Programming, and produced by Accomplice Television, new Irish production ‘The Importance of Being Whatever’ updates Oscar Wilde’s classic play ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ into a modern serialised drama.
Directed by Ronan and Rob Burke (Aisling’s Diary, Runners) and written by Iseult Golden and David Horan (Belonging to Laura), the 30 x 3 minute series follows mixed race teen Tobi Okocha, the dutiful and hard-working son of struggling single mother Kathy, who is determined that her son will get a good leaving cert and a place in university. Tobi lives a grey life of school, work and homework, until the day he meets beautiful Emma. He follows her into a drama class where they are rehearsing ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. Inspired by the plot of the play, Tobi adopts an alter ego: the ultra-cool Harry. But can Tobi keep up the balancing act?
Cast are TBC as casting is currently underway with casting director Maureen Hughes.
Accomplice Television are currently prepping for filming in late July ahead of broadcast in late 2011. Three episodes will be broadcast per week in mid-week slots with an omnibus shown every weekend on RTÉ. The series will also be packaged into a 90 minute special to be shown during the Christmas holidays.
The series is financed by the RTÉ, the BAI and Section 481.
