09/09/2009

Irish Student Drama On Location

A TV drama, Seacht, which first hit TV screens in 2008, is now back on location in Northern Ireland.

The 'edgy' Irish language drama's third series is due to be aired on TG4 and BBC NI in January 2010.

Filming is under way in Belfast at present on the drama which is being compared to Channel 4's fast-paced, soap Skins.

The programme is being shot at the campus at Queen's University in south Belfast and is being funded by Northern Ireland Screen's Irish Language Broadcast Fund.

Seacht depicts the lives and loves of a group of talented teens as they attend a Belfast performing arts college.

Among the cast starring in the drama are Northern Irish actors Alana Henderson and Tony Devlin.

Law student Alana, from Dungannon, is about to embark on her final year at Queen's, so is no stranger to the campus. A gifted musician and part-time model she plays willowy cellist Caroline in Seacht.

Tony, who comes from west Belfast, takes centre stage as villain lecturer Steve.

Tony has previously acted with Colin Farrell and Bruce Willis and is also director of Belfast theatre group, Brassneck Theatre Company.

The drama also stars Donegal actress Aoife Nic Ardghail as 'lipstick lesbian' Linda and former Miss Galway Linda Bhreathnach as the feisty and troubled Eithne.

A spokeswoman for NI Screen said: "With a young, dynamic and fiercely independent team working behind the scenes, Seacht proves that Irish language drama can be brave, bold and compete with the mainstream."

It is produced by Stirling Film and TV Productions. John Carlin and Paul Riordan are directing, Colin O'Donnell is producing and Brian Martin is director of photography.

(BMcC/GK)

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