In interviews with RTÉ Entertainment, writer Eithne Verling described the upcoming broadcast of her television debut as mad, extraordinary
as she prepares for the premiere of her new thriller series.
Developing the Conamara Mystery
The RTÉ One series begins when the body of a young woman is discovered on a Conamara bog. The investigation pairs visiting NYPD detective Lieutenant Nora Savage—played by Star Trek: Voyager’s Kate Mulgrew—with Detective Eddie McDonagh, portrayed by Love/Hate’s John Connors. Verling initially wrote an earlier iteration of the project set in America before rewriting the entire narrative during Covid to set it in Conamara. The twist-filled mystery also explores climate activism, Traveller culture, and grief.
From Chance Meeting to Screen
The role of Lieutenant Nora Savage was written specifically for Mulgrew after Verling met the American actor by chance in Galway. Verling noted that they bonded unexpectedly and that Mulgrew strongly encouraged her writing. The series has already been bought by ITV and also features India Mullen as Detective Inspector Martina Daly and Cillian O’Sullivan as Detective Sergeant Ger Hayes.
Creator Hopes Viewers Learn Not to Judge Others
When researching the project through conversations with serving and former gardaí, Verling was most struck by the doggedness of their investigative work. She hopes viewers take away several messages from the show, including themes concerning judgment, neoliberalism, and climate.
I have so many messages hidden in it,
Verling told RTÉ Entertainment. I suppose the most important thing is about judgment. It’s an obvious thing, but not to judge other people and to maybe show the layers between people who seem very damaged. For people to understand each other a bit more, I suppose. The humanity in everyone, that’s a big thing.
