New series about a 'misanthropic, narcissistic, fantasist'

Channel 4 has ordered a new comedy series from actor brothers Brian and Domhnall Gleeson.

In Frank of Ireland, Peaky Blinders star Brian will play a 32-year-old misanthropic, narcissistic, fantasist who lives  in Dublin with his mother, and believes the world owes him something. 

He describes himself as a musician but hasn’t written a song or played a gig in more than seven years and five months.

Meanwhile Domhnall, who plays  General Hux in Star Wars, will be Frank’s ‘wingman’ Doofus.

The pair have written the six-part series with Michael Moloney, and it will be directed by MJ Delaney.

Frank of Ireland is being made by Sharon Horgan and Clelia Mountford’s production company Merman, the outfit behind This Way Up and Motherland, among others. 

Horgan said: ‘Working with the Gleeson brothers has been like living in a very funny, existential dreamscape.  

‘I laughed so much making the pilot that it became annoying.  So Clelia and I are very glad and relieved they still chose to make this series with us.’

In a statement, the writers said: ‘We’re so excited to work with MJ, Sharon, and Clelia on this, our first and, we’ve been told, last television series.’

Fiona McDermott, head of comedy at Channel 4, added: ‘We’re delighted to welcome Domhnall and Brian to Channel 4 for their comedy debut. They are talented in ways Frank and his wildest dreams could only hope to emulate.

‘We can’t wait for viewers to see the unashamedly ridiculous and hilarious new show they’ve created.’

The comedy will be filmed Dublin and Belfast and will also be released on Amazon Prime Video in the US, Canada and Australia.

Co-stars include Pom Boyd, who plays Frank’s mum, Sarah Greene who plays his ex and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, her new partner.

Published: 28 Feb 2020