BritBox UK has commissioned original comedy-drama series, The Dry from Normal People and The Favourite indie, Element Pictures.
Element is producing the series in association with Fís Eireann/Screen Ireland and ITV Studios, in partnership with RTÉ.
Playwright and screenwriter Nancy Harris (The Good Karma Hospital, Dates) and director Paddy Breathnach (Viva, Rosie) are behind the eight-part series set in Dublin, which began shooting on Monday, and debuts exclusively on BritBox UK in 2022.
Starring Roisin Gallagher (The Fall, Nowhere Special), Ciarán Hinds (Game of Thrones, The Terror), Pom Boyd (Vanity Fair, Frank of Ireland), Siobhán Cullen (Origin, The Limehouse Golem), Moe Dunford (The Dig, Vikings) and newcomer Adam Richardson, The Dry “celebrates the joyful chaos and dark absurdities of family life in a series that is all about recovery.”
When Shiv Sheridan (Gallagher) returns to Dublin after years of partying in London, she is sober and full of good intentions – but being back with her family makes staying on ‘the dry’ much harder than she expected. As Shiv tries to navigate this new phase of her life, so must her family…and they all have issues they don’t want to face.
Emma Norton and Michael Dawson are Exec Producing for Element alongside company founders Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe and writer Nancy Harris. The company recently brought Sally Rooney’s Normal People to the screen, and was behind Lenny Abrahamson’s films Room and The Little Stranger; as well as all of Yorgos Lanthimos’ English language films, The Favourite, The Lobster and The Killing Of A Sacred Deer, and upcoming production Poor Things.
Will Harrison, Managing Director BritBox UK said “We are delighted to be working with Element Pictures, Nancy, Paddy and the team to bring the Sheridans’ story to life, and are looking forward to sharing THE DRY with our subscribers next year.”
Andrew Byrne, Project Manager, Television, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland said “We are delighted to support this emotional and powerful Irish TV drama from Element Pictures and the talented team behind THE DRY. This is a great example of the calibre and scale of Irish story-telling and scripted series which are translating to audiences across the globe”.
Sam Atwell, Development Executive, RTÉ said “We’re very excited and proud to be collaborating with such a talented team in Element Pictures, Nancy Harris and Paddy Breathnach, and the wonderful cast of THE DRY to bring this heartfelt, mischievously funny, and emotionally impacting Irish story to the world.”
Screenwriter Nancy Harris said “I’m over the moon to be working with Element Pictures, Paddy Breathnach and this spectacular cast of insanely talented Irish actors. It’s a dream collaboration and I can’t wait to bring the BritBox audience this family comedy-drama which pivots on the oxymoron of giving up drink in Ireland.”
Director Paddy Breathnach added “I’m really delighted to be working with Element Pictures again and be part of bringing Nancy Harris’ extraordinary scripts to the screen. We have a truly brilliant cast of Irish actors on board and I can’t wait to get started.”
ITV Studios is handling global distribution for THE DRY.
Jon Creamer
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