Irish pubcaster RTÉ has started production on a new crime mystery series called Blackshore, created by Smother writer Kate O’Riordan.
Dermot Horan
Coproduced by Dublin-based prodco Treasure Entertainment and BBC Studios, the 6×60’ series is currently in production and scheduled to be broadcast in the first quarter of 2024.
Blackshore tells the story of a detective, played by Lisa Dwan (Top Boy, Bloodlands), who must return to her hometown when a local woman disappears.
It was created by O’Riordan, who previously wrote three seasons of thriller drama Smother for the Irish pubcaster, and is directed by Daithi Keane. Shooting is currently underway in Killaloe, County Clare and Ballina, County Tipperary.
“It’s a potentially returnable series which is human drama meets crime mystery,” said Dermot Horan, director of coproductions and acquisitions at RTÉ. “Hopefully it will be as successful as Smother, which is shown in around 160 territories now.”
The project is part of RTÉ’s strategy to concentrate on developing local content for its audiences on RTÉ One, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, with over 63 hours of original Irish content scheduled this year.
Programming includes season two of crime thriller Hidden Assets, a copro between RTÉ and Acorn; the second season of dramedy The Dry, from RTÉ in association with ITVX; and thriller Clean Sweep, made by Dublin’s ShinAwiL.
“All our research has shown that Irish viewers want to view Irish home-grown drama, set in Ireland, written by Irish writers,” said Jim Jennings, director content at RTÉ.
“The expansion of our drama slate, developed and supported by RTÉ, with the help of our domestic and international partners, is fulfilling this need and also bringing the best of Irish drama to the stage.”