Major TV series are currently filming at Limerick’s Troy Studios and Wicklow’s Ashford Studios, as Ireland continues to bring high-quality shows to global audiences.
The country’s animation sector is even more buoyant, having long established itself as one of the leading TV animation hubs in the world. Recent series include Jam Media’s Jessy and Nessy for Amazon Prime and Brown Bag’s Vampirina for Disney.
Having invested further in indigenous talent, studio capacity and funding TV supports in recent years, Ireland is ready and equipped to meet a growing global demand for top-quality television production and new and original IP.
There is a determination in the industry to maintain and develop further growth in the TV and animation sectors, with Ireland well-placed to take advantage of audience demand for strong storytelling. This is supported by several funding initiatives and an abundance of talented cast, creatives, producers, storytellers and crew working across an ever-advancing spectrum of domestic and global TV projects.
Produced by Element Pictures for Hulu and BBC Three, shot on location in Dublin and Sligo and starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal, Normal People was an international ratings hit and was nominated for four Emmy Awards. The series highlights the scale and quality of work that is being created, produced and filmed in Ireland and the unique talent and expertise that is on hand to realise ambitious international TV projects.
Other TV series that are currently in production on location in Ireland include Smother, starring Dervla Kirwan and Seána Kerslake and produced by Treasure Films for BBC Studios and RTÉ.
Several forthcoming TV series have already completed production in Ireland this year, including Miss Scarlet and the Duke (Shinawil and Element 8) and series three of The Young Offenders (Vico and BBC).
The Irish screen industry is ready to take full advantage of rapid growth in the TV sector. Screen Ireland, the national agency for the TV, film and animation sectors, has demonstrated increasing commitment to TV drama and animation with increased investment in 2020 and the appointment of Andrew Byrne as TV project manager with the Production & Development team. He was previously Head of Commissioning for national broadcaster Virgin Media Television.
The success of Irish Drama and indeed Irish Animation globally helps to highlight the scale and quality of talent, creativity, stories, locations and production opportunities available in Ireland – Byrne.
“There is an array of quality television development and production relationships that are being unlocked in the country, for both local and global markets. Netflix, Apple, Disney, HBO, and Hulu along with major TV distributors, UK and international broadcasters are all working with Irish producers creating a slate of quality creative work driven by Irish talent and expertise.”
Newly announced State stimulus packages include €900,000 in support of five international TV drama series. Projects in receipt of funding include Glorious Heresies to be produced by The Film Workshop, Hidden Assets (Soho Moon), Kin (Metropolitan), Grace (Subotica) and The Dry (Element Pictures). €600,000 is also being invested in a new National Talent Development Agency for drama and scripted production to continue to evolve the production and creative talent base and ensure Ireland’s position as a centre of excellence on an International stage.
As well as Ireland’s Section 481 32% tax credit for television, animation and film productions, a 5% regional uplift (subject to EU approval) is also available, meaning the credit is now worth 37% in regional areas of Ireland. Funding is capped at €70 million per project and available on all goods and services sourced in Ireland. International cast and crew working in Ireland qualify.
Screen Skills Ireland, the screen skills development within Screen Ireland, ensures optimum levels of skills development and skills enhancement are taking place.
The WRAP (Western Region Audiovisual Producers) Fund has also been established to support projects filming in the west of Ireland. These incentives aim to propel further growth in the TV and animation sectors. The establishment of Troy Studios in the mid-western city of Limerick has already attracted international production to the region including Foundation, currently in production.
Ardmore Studios in Co. Wicklow also recently announced major expansion plays which, when complete, will house over 140,000 sq ft of sound stages and 160,000 of support buildings.
Also in Co. Wicklow, Ashford Studios comprises three stages on 500 acres of back lot totalling 57,000 sq ft.
Since being established in the mid-western region of Limerick, Troy Studios is doubling capacity to attract large-scale inward investment shoots. Troy has five sound stages totalling over 102,000 sq ft of space.
Combined with Ireland’s wealth of talented cast and crew and rapidly growing reputation for world-class programming, the increased studio capacity promises a healthy future for the industry.
To learn more about the existing talent, funding and creativity opportunities in Ireland visit www.screenireland.ie or to connect with one of 36 registered companies, visit the Ireland on Screen virtual pavilion page at this year’s MIPCOM Online+.
(sponsored post, from Screen Ireland)
