PI Week 10 March 2 - March 8 2013 Scúp A new eight part Irish language drama series written by novelist and screenwriter Colin Bateman
Programme Information New this week Scúp Page 3 A new eight part Irish language drama series written by novelist and screenwriter Colin Bateman The Pet Set Page 4 Anne-Marie Wallace presents a new radio series exploring our relationship with pets 2
Scúp A new eight part Irish language drama series written by novelist and screenwriter Colin Bateman Scúp starts on BBC Two NI, Sunday, March 3 at 10pm Scúp is a new eight part Irish language drama series written by novelist and screenwriter Colin Bateman. A co-production between BBC Northern Ireland and TG4, with funding through the Northern Ireland Screen Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF) and Broadcast Authority of Ireland (BAI), the drama begins on BBC Two NI on Sunday, March 3 at 10pm. Set in a struggling Irish language newspaper in Belfast, the series is built around the character of Rob Cullan (Don Wycherley), a journalist who has left a high flying job in an English newspaper under a cloud. He is persuaded to return to the community he grew up in by the wily newspaper proprietor Diarmuid Black (Denis Conway) to help rescue his ailing publication. In fighting for the paper s survival Cullan takes over as Editor and finds he is not only up against the local economy, but all too frequently his own staff - a mix of old hands, set in their ways, and inexperienced newcomers. Cormac (Donncha Crowley), who expected the editorship, resents Cullan s appointment and sets about undermining him. Janine (Caitriona Ni Mhurchu) has a hold on both the paper s finances and its owner and is determined to maintain her influence over both. Cub reporter Michael Left to right Cormac (Donncha Crowley), Alix (Kelly Gough), Sean (Patrick McBride), Rob Cullan (Don Wycherley), Michael (Tim Creed), Diarmuid Black (Denis Conway) and Janine (Caitriona Ni Mhurchu). (Tim Creed) has a lot to learn but streetwise photographer Sean (Patrick McBride) to be broadcast in the Irish Language. He Scúp is Colin Bateman s first drama series thinks he knows it all landing them both in says: I ve had a fantastic experience on Scúp a variety of scrapes. But in spite of their - I ve always wanted to film a TV series in many arguments, Cullan begins to form a Northern Ireland but this has been my first professional and personal interest in Alix opportunity. It s in the Irish language, but I (Kelly Gough) a young reporter whose think and hope it will have universal appeal. heart often rules her head. I m certainly drawing on a lot of the experiences I had as a young reporter in Bangor Throughout the series, Cullan sets about together with more recent influences living building a new, credible newspaper with and working in Northern Ireland. this dysfunctional family of characters with the action taking place within the openplan newspaper office, and at locations tions, produced by Peter Norris and direct- The series was made by Stirling Produc- around the city. Scúp reflects modern Belfast and the stories the employees chase out on TG4 on Wednesday, February 27 at ed by Declan Recks. This series will also go reflect contemporary issues as they publish a newspaper under sometimes difficult, 10pm. stressful, morally and financially challenging circumstances. 3
The Pet Set Anne-Marie Wallace presents a new radio series exploring our relationship with pets The Pet Set,BBC Radio Ulster, starts Sunday, March 3, 1.30pm. Repeated Thursdays at 7.30pm. bbc.co.uk/radioulster Anne-Marie Wallace presents the new BBC Radio Ulster series The Pet Set Giant pythons, talking parrots, The Pet Set, a new six part series starting poisonous spiders and badly-behaved cats and dogs all appear in on Sunday, March 3 at 1.30pm, sees presenter Anne-Marie Wallace travel across Northern Ireland to meet devoted owners, learn more about our furry, feathered a new BBC Radio Ulster series exploring our relationship with pets. and finned friends, and look into everything from veterinary care and cost to pet behavioural problems and alternative therapies. In the first programme of the series, Anne Marie travels to Ballyronan to meet Keith his beloved pet cockatoo, Charlie, and par- 4
Bailey the parrot features in the first programme of the new series The Pet Set on BBC Radio Ulster rot, Bailey. In Finaghy, a pet behavioural The programme also explores serious therapist teaches Anne-Marie how to deal problems that arise with pet ownership with a troublesome cat who is destroying as Anne-Marie meets abandoned and unwanted strays at the Dogs Trust in Bally- the furniture and, in Newtownards, she hears about the latest pet cancer treatment mena and visits the PDSA hospital in Belfast as Robbie the dog receives chemotherapy which cares for the sick and injured animals for benign tumours. of those who can t afford to pay for vet care. Later in the series, Anne-Marie joins the PSNI on patrol with a sniffer dog and goes In Armagh she discovers how horse-whispering can help children with autism, and to meet a rather large family of tarantulas in Twinbrook, a 14-foot TV star python in visits a pet crematorium in Moira to learn Lisburn, and an iguana named Speedy in more about dealing with the loss of a muchloved pet. Maghera. She meets a cat in Bangor having her teeth fixed, a dog in Belfast receiving acupuncture, and takes a walk on the seafront in Larne with Alfie, an anti-social Jack three dogs, the subject of pets is one very Anne-Marie Wallace says: As an owner of Russell, to learn how to curb aggressive dog close to my heart and working on The Pet behaviour. Set has been a true learning experience. I ve really enjoyed seeing first-hand the connection many people have with their beloved pets and learning about all the care and therapies that are available in Northern Ireland. I think animal lovers will really enjoy this series as we meet so many different kinds of pets with so many personalities, but the series also examines the more serious side to being a responsible pet owner and all the challenges, financial and emotional, that come with that. The Pet Set starts on BBC Radio Ulster on Sunday, March 3 at 1.30pm. 92 95FM & DAB digital radio, digital TV and available to listen and download at bbc.co.uk/radioulster 5