Irish actor Emmett J Scanlan is back on Irish soil this week filming Channel 4 soap ‘Hollyoaks’ in Grogan’s Pub in Dublin.
The Dublin-born actor is shooting scenes in the well-known city centre pub as well as a number of locations around Dublin along with ‘Hollyoaks’ co-star Kieron Richardson, who plays Ste Hay, a former love interest of Scanlan’s character Brendan Brady.
Shooting began yesterday, with approximately 25 cast and crew from the Chester-based soap arriving to the capital.
Irish locations manager John Paul le Bon has assisted ‘Hollyoaks’ locations manager Mark O’Hanlon in the project, scouting areas from South Wall in Dublin Bay, to the Ha’penny Bridge and Cow’s Lane in Dublin.
O’Hanlon visited Dublin four weeks earlier to scout locations with le Bon, and was impressed by the county’s accessibility. “It’s simple to walk around, you’re not travelling around for ages looking for one place, everything is close by,” he said.
It is expected the Dublin scenes will mark the return of former ‘Emmerdale’ actor James Sutton, who played John Paul McQueen in ‘Hollyoaks’ until his character moved to Dublin in 2008.
Filming is taking place in Grogan’s today, with cast getting stuck into pints of Guinness for the scene. Shooting will then move to Cow’s Lane, just off Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, before the cast and crew return to Liverpool tomorrow.
Other locations used for filming include the Ha’penny Bridge and Middle Abbey Street. O’Hanlon said the crew took as many shots of Dublin city as possible to ensure the city was recognisable to audiences as soon as they watched.
He added his first working experience in Ireland has been “very enjoyable”: “Even walking around has been great. There has not been one bit of negativity, not one issue. The Irish Film Board and John Paul have been so helpful.”
The Irish Film Board tells IFTN it has been in talks with Lime Pictures for over three years about bringing ‘Hollyoaks’ to Ireland. “We’re delighted that they have finally included a new Irish storyline and characters. The IFB has been providing advice and assistance to Lime Pictures over the last two months during prep for the Dublin shoot,” said Naoise Barry, Film Commissioner at the Irish Film Board.
Cine Electric equipment supplies provided the ‘Hollyoaks’ crew with a generator and worked closely with the lighting team during the shoot.
Scanlan has been in ‘Hollyoaks’ since 2010, and has been involved in history-making storylines for the soap; tackling subjects of domestic violence, homosexuality and abuse. He plays the half-sibling of Northern Irish actress Bronagh Waugh, who plays Cheryl Brady.
His portrayal of Brendan Brady has gained him a number of soap award nominations, with him taking home the prizes for Best Actor and Best Bad Boy at the Inside Soap Awards last month.
The Dublin scenes will air on Channel 4 around Christmas time in December.
