Lionsgate Boards Irish Series Northern Lights

Lionsgate Television has signed on to distribute the new series Northern Lights, produced by Deadpan Pictures and Potemkino, outside of Ireland.

The six-part drama tells the story of two grieving strangers whose worlds collide on a rainy night in Dublin. Written by Stephen Jones, it is adapted from his award-winning play of the same name.

Tom Hall (Modern Love, Trivia) is leading director, with Ruth Meehan (The Bright Side) and Anthony Schatteman (Panna/L’homme inconnu) also directing.

The Irish and Belgian co-production is made for TG4 and Streamz. It is funded by Lionsgate, Screen Ireland, Screen Flanders and TG4 with support from the Creative Europe Media Slate Funding, Government of Ireland’s Section 481 and the Belgian tax shelter.

Máire Ní Chonláin, executive producer for TG4, said, “Having worked with Stephen Jones as an actor in TG4’s The Queen vs. Patrick O’Donnell, we are delighted to work with him again to bring the adaptation of his award-winning play Northern Lights to TG4. The authenticity of voice and the warm, humorous treatment of such difficult themes set the series apart.”

“Northern Lights is a universal story, and we look forward to sharing this gripping series with a global audience,” said Marc Lorber, senior VP of international co-productions and acquisitions at Lionsgate.

Andrew Byrne, head of television at Screen Ireland, added, “Screen Ireland is delighted to support Northern Lights and Stephen Jones in his darkly funny and emotionally resonant series-writing debut. Making a connection with audiences at home and around the world is one of our aims in collaborating closely with an Irish national broadcaster like TG4, as well as international partners in Lionsgate, Screen Flanders and Creative Europe.”

“We are so excited to bring Stephen’s darkly comic yet emotionally truthful series to screen,” said Ailish McElmeel, co-founder of Deadpan Pictures. “With the support of partners Screen Ireland, Lionsgate, Potemkino and Creative Europe we look forward to bringing this series to Irish and international audiences.”