Monday 12th April 2021: Virgin Media Television and ITV’s brand new drama series ‘Redemption’, in association with Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, will start filming today in Ireland.
Acclaimed Irish actress Paula Malcomson (The Hunger Games trilogy, Ray Donovan, Deadwood) will take the lead role alongside other key Irish cast including
Siobhan McSweeney (Derry Girls), Keith McErlean (Black ’47 and Sing Street), Thaddea Graham (The Letter for the King and The Irregulars) and Ian Lloyd Anderson (Blood S2 and Love/Hate).
Created by Sean Cook (The Last Ship, The Code, Holby City) and executive produced by Tall Story Pictures’ Creative Director Catherine Oldfield (The Bay, Sticks and Stones, Trauma) and Executive Producer Patrick Schweitzer (Bancroft, Save Me, SSGB), the drama introduces plain speaking, no nonsense DI Colette Cunningham, whose fearless approach to policing has earned her the respect of her Merseyside Police Serious Crime Squad colleagues.
Career driven and dedicated, Colette is unflappable and an absolute force of nature. Until she takes a call from Garda Sergeant Luke Byrne from the Gardaí in Dublin. The body of a young woman has been found and Colette is listed as the next of kin.
The name of the victim means nothing to Colette so she continues to efficiently go about her day job. Persisting with his enquiry, the young officer calls again and begins to describe the young woman rendering Colette speechless. She takes the next ferry to Dublin to identify the body of her missing daughter, Kate.
She’s experienced this exact situation a million times, but never from this side. Kate left home 20 years ago aged 16, and clearly didn’t want to be found. Always a police woman and with 30 years of experience kicking in, Colette has some searching questions. But is she prepared for what she finds? With her life turned upside down, and grief consuming her every thought, Colette resolves to stay in Ireland to work for the Garda. But what will she unearth about the events leading up to Kate’s death, and the life that her daughter chose to build for herself? Consumed by feelings she may have failed Kate in life, Colette is determined to do right by her now.
The six part series will be produced by leading independent production company, Tall Story Pictures, part of ITV Studios and producers of successful returning ITV drama The Bay. The project is being co-produced by Metropolitan Films, one of Ireland’s leading film and television production companies.
Supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland.
Bill Malone, Director of Content, Virgin Media Television: “Supporting and developing Irish content with global ambition has been a key pillar of VMTV’s strategy and we are delighted to partner with ITV for what promises to be a thrilling new Irish drama in Redemption. The quality of the scripts had me gripped from the off and I can’t wait to see it on screen.”
Catherine Oldfield and Patrick Schweitzer, from Tall Story Pictures: “Redemption is a wonderfully emotional story about one woman trying to come to terms with the mistakes of the past and also about second chances. In Colette, Sean has created a richly-drawn heroine who we can’t wait to bring to the screen.”
Andrew Byrne, Television Project Manager, Screen Ireland: “We are delighted to support quality international stories with Irish talent which will reach global audiences. Redemption is a powerful and emotional piece that will leave audiences wanting more, utilising the best of Irish locations, creativity, talent and crew.”
James Flynn, Metropolitan Films said; “We are proud to have facilitated the production of this powerful television drama in Ireland, and to partner with Tall Stories Pictures and with the broadcasters and funders backing the project, including the Irish Government’s Section 481 production investment tax incentive”.