RTÉ, Acorn partner with ZDFE and TV2 Norway on dramedy

The South Westerlies

Irish pubcaster RTÉ and AMC Networks-backed Acorn Media Enterprises (AME) have partnered to commission a comedy-drama series that also has Germany’s ZDF Enterprises and TV2 Norway onboard.

The South Westerlies is from Dublin-based Deadpan Pictures and is set in a small coastal town in the south-west of Ireland that is earmarked for a Norwegian-owned wind farm.

The story follows a single mother who moves from Norway to Ireland to ensure the project goes ahead but who also must try to keep old secrets under wraps. It has been created by Catherine Maher, who writes alongside Hugh Travers, Hilary Reynolds and Michelle Duffy.

The six-part series, supported by Screen Ireland, is directed by Simon Gibney (Doctors Nowhere Fast) and Declan Recks (Drop Dead Weird, The Flag, Pure Mule). It was one of four projects announced last year as part of a comedy initiative from RTÉ and the Irish Film Board.

Acorn Media Enterprises and associated distributor Acorn Media International have secured all rights in North America, Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom, as well as secondary rights in Ireland. ZDFE will distribute in rest of world, with the show set to premiere in 2020 on RTÉ and shortly after on Acorn TV in the US as an Acorn TV Original.

The South Westerlies is series produced by Ailish McElmeel, Deadpan Pictures and produced by Candida Julian-Jones. Executive producers include Shane Murphy and Justin Healy for RTÉ, Catherine Mackin and Bea Tammer from Acorn Media Enterprises, Paul Donovan for Deadpan Pictures, Ann Kolbjørnsen and Ole Marius Araldsen for Anagram.

RTÉ  previously co-produced drama series including  Finding Joy and Striking Out with Acorn Media Enterprises.