RTÉ has announced the production of a new drama series, ‘Rebellion’, which will be filmed in the Dublin area over the coming months.
‘Rebellion’ is a five-part serial drama which charts the violent birth of modern Ireland.
Irish actors, Charlie Murphy, Brian Gleeson and Sarah Greene will star in the drama which is set over three weeks in Easter 1916.
‘Rebellion’ is produced by Zodiak Media Ireland and Touchpaper Television in association with Element Pictures, and is written by Colin Teevan, directed by Aku Louhimies, and produced by Catherine Magee.
The serial begins in 1914. Europe is at war and Britain is preoccupied with the German threat. But by 1916 in Dublin, the Easter Rising explodes into life and announces the beginning of a campaign for independence that will take another seven years to resolve.
According to Jane Gogan, Head of Drama, RTÉ Television said: ‘Rebellion’ will tell personal stories which are intertwined with the political events of the time. However, it is a drama, not a history lesson, and our story is told from the perspectives of a group of fictional characters who live through the political events of 1916. Men, women and children from Belfast, Dublin and London - people whose lives were irrevocably changed by this extraordinary period.’
Commenting on the announcement, Glen Killane, Managing Director, RTÉ Television, said: ‘Quality Irish drama is the cornerstone of RTÉ television and is something the Irish public has come to expect from us. It is important that we continue to bring leading writing, directing, producing and acting talent together to tell great Irish stories and create great Irish drama. ‘Rebellion’ will form an important part of what is a significant investment by RTÉ in engaging the Irish public around 1916 and television drama achieves this engagement like no other medium.’
Executive Producers, Rob Pursey and Colin Teevan, added: ‘We are very excited to have the opportunity to dramatise the events that would define the shape of modern Ireland and modern Britain.’
Zodiak Rights will be distributing the programme internationally. ‘The excellent scripts written by Colin Teevan bring the characters and the drama to life, and we have no doubt that this ambitious and returnable series will find many fans internationally’, Caroline Torrance of Zodiak Rights said.
‘Rebellion’ will be broadcast on RTÉ One in 2016.
