New Deasy TV Drama

IFTN reports that RTÉ and ITV have co-commissioned a new four-part drama, written by Frank Deasy (Prime Suspect: The Final Act; The Passion), called Father & Son. The story centers on an Irish ex-criminal Michael O'Connor who returns to Manchester from a quiet life in Ireland to save his teenage son from prison, but also to redeem his own troubled past.

The series will be directed by Brian Kirk (The Tudors), and will star Dougray Scott (Enigma), Stephen Rea (Breakfast on Pluto), Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda) and Ian Hart (Finding Neverland).

Jane Gogan, Commissioning Editor, RTÉ TV Drama, said: "This is a ground-breaking moment in the relationship between RTÉ and ITV, it being our first drama co-production venture. With an exceptional gathering of talent from Ireland and the UK, this is an exciting opportunity and lays down a good marker for the future. Frank Deasy, Brian Kirk, Michael Casey and Andy Harries across one project is an audacious and impressive gathering. With the Irish Film Board and Section 481 joining RTÉ, we have been able bring together a package of Irish finance to make RTÉ and Ireland a competitive presence in the television co-production world".

ITV's Director of Drama Commissioning, Laura Mackie, is delighted with the project: "Father & Son is a compelling, multi-layered thriller that will engage and entertain with every plot twist and turn. The scripts are undeniably gripping and the drama also has a very impressive cast."

Executive Producer Andy Harries (The Queen, Prime Suspect), said: "Frank Deasy has created an amazing portrait of urban life which is researched meticulously. It's a surprising and stunningly original piece of writing - exactly what I hoped it would be. Brian Kirk is a director I have admired for a long time and he has a really brilliant partnership with fellow Belfast born producer, Michael Casey. It's a unique collaboration between ITV and RTÉ and will be the first production for ITV to be shot on the Red Camera."