The series is the first fully RTÉ funded comedy to air in the UK on UKTV’s comedy channel Gold.
‘Bridget & Eamon’ debuted on RTÉ 2 in February of this year and was renewed for a second season last July.
The concept originated in a comedy sketch on RTÉ 2’s satirical ‘Republic of Telly’ and was commissioned by RTÉ 2 in response to its popularity on television and social media. The series is written by Bernard O'Shea, Jennifer Zamparelli and Jason Butler.
It centres on unhappily married couple Bridget and Eamon O’Shea, who live somewhere in the Irish Midlands with an indeterminate number of children. Chain-smoking Bridget has “notions.” She wants the lifestyle from the pages of Woman’s Way, but times are tight and among Eamon’s many annoying habits is his inability to make money.
The show features the cream of Irish comedy and acting talent, including Norma Sheahan, Eleanor Tiernan and Sharon Mannion as Bridget's neighbours, Colum McDonnell as Eamon's mate Fierce Handy Frank and Edwin Sammon as the local parish priest.
RTÉ Head of Comedy, Eddie Doyle, said:
“This is a real breakthrough for Irish comedy in Britain. Building on the success of Mrs Browns Boys, Bridget & Eamon shows how Irish writers, performers and producers can compete in one of the biggest, most creative comedy marketplaces in the world.”
The deal was brokered by Edel Edwards, head of international programme sales for RTÉ, and Daniel Thomas, acquisitions executive for UKTV. Edwards has stated:
“Bridget & Eamon is just very, very funny. It has great jokes, great characters and has delivered great audiences for RTÉ2. We’re confident that Gold’s viewers will laugh as loudly to Bridget and Eamon’s 1980s-inspired antics as RTÉ2’s — especially anybody who remembers those days of Dallas, Dynasty and massive shoulder pads. And with a second season due to launch in October, the even better news is that there’s more hilarity to come.”
Thomas added: "We’re very excited to bring Bridget and Eamon to British TV screens. The series is absolutely hilarious and is the perfect addition to Gold’s existing slate of high quality comedy. We’re sure our audience will love the witty one liners and brilliantly executed 80s nostalgia as much as RTÉ’s audience did in Ireland."
