The A Talks Heads to Ireland

Virgin Media Television in Ireland has ordered a local adaptation of the French format The A Talks.

To be produced by Kite Entertainment (Gogglebox Ireland, Ireland’s Fittest Family, LOL: Last One Laughing), the first season will feature famous Irish personalities being interviewed by a group of neurodivergent journalists.

Created by Quad+TEN and Kiosco TV and initiated by movie directors Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano (The Intouchables), The A Talks has been airing in France since September 2022 on France 2. It has also launched in Denmark, Poland, Spain and the U.K., with Sweden next up. Two additional territories, yet to be announced, are starting production locally.

Matthieu Porte, co-founder at CAN’T STOP media, which represents the format, said: “We are delighted to work with Virgin Media Television and Kite Entertainment to bring The A Talks to Ireland. We are convinced Irish viewers will immediately fall in love with the show as in every other country, changing forever the perception many viewers still have about people on the spectrum.”

Anthony Nilan, director of programming at Virgin Media Television, said: “As a public service broadcaster, we have always ensured that inclusivity and representation is at the core of our commissioning strategy. The A Talks is a television show that empowers and celebrates its participants and challenges viewers’ perceptions in a positive way. It also gives us a chance to discuss topics and stories through a different lens that we hope will spark further conversations and debate. We’re thrilled to be backing this project from Kite Entertainment along with the Coimisiún na Méan Sound & Vision Fund, and we can’t wait for our viewers to see it.”

Kite Entertainment’s managing director, Darren Smith, added: “Every now and then, you come across a show that has both a proper entertainment punch and a real purpose. From the moment CAN’T STOP media showed us The A Talks, we knew it was one of those shows and instantly wanted to make it. So naturally, we are delighted to be now making it for Virgin with support from the Coimisiún na Meán Sound & Vision Fund. Let the casting begin!”