Channel 4 & Amazon Studios Align for Frank of Ireland

Channel 4 and Amazon Studios have teamed up to commission Frank of Ireland, a brand-new comedy series from Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe) and Clelia Mountford’s Merman.

Starring Brian Gleeson (Peaky Blinders, The Bisexual), who penned the series with his brother Domhnall Gleeson (The Revenant, Ex-Machina) and Michael Moloney, Frank of Ireland follows the “misanthropic, narcissistic, fantasist” 32-year-old Frank Marron. Living in Dublin with his mother Mary, he’s a single, struggling musician finding it as difficult to get over his ex-girlfriend (Sarah Greene) as getting a paying gig. At his side through it all is his wingman Doofus (Domhnall Gleeson).

A co-production between Channel 4 and Amazon Studios, Frank of Ireland is filming in Dublin and Belfast, with the transmission date on Channel 4 to be announced. The series will be available on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S., Canada and Australia.

Brian, Domhnall and Michael Moloney said: “We’re so excited to work with MJ, Sharon and Clelia on this, our first and (we’ve been told) last television series.”

Merman co-founder Horgan added: “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.”

Fiona McDermott, head of comedy at Channel 4, said: “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.”

Brad Beale, VP of worldwide content licensing at Amazon Studios, said: “Frank of Ireland is smart, wholly original and incredibly funny. We’re thrilled to work with Brian and Domhnall to bring our Prime Video customers this terrific new comedy.”