New Netflix drama series produced by Barack and Michelle Obama set to be filmed in Cork

Netflix, Higher Ground, and independent wiip studio announced the cast of Bodkin, their first drama series today, which will start production in Cork next week. The seven episode, darkly comedic thriller will star American comedy actor Will Forte (Extra Ordinary) and Siobhan Cullen (Paula) alongside Robyn Cara (We Die Young), David Wilmot (The Guard) and Chris Walley (The Young Offenders).

Under direction by Nash Edgerton (Gringo), Bodkin, the shows working title, features a crew of podcasters who set out to investigate the mysterious disappearance of three strangers in an idyllic, coastal Irish town. But once they start pulling at threads, they discover a story much bigger and weirder than they could have ever imagined. As our heroes try to discern fact from fiction — about the case, about their colleagues, and, most painfully, themselves, with the series set to challenge our perception of truth and exposes the stories we tell ourselves to justify our beliefs or validate our fears.

“We are ecstatic to partner with wiip for this wickedly wry thriller which questions truth, narrative, and the very purpose of each,” said Higher Ground Head of Film and Television, Tonia Davis. “This entire creative team - Jez, Alex, Nash, and the phenomenal cast led by Will Forte and Siobhan Cullen - will bring to life something very special and we can’t wait to share it with audiences around the world.”

Will Forte plays the lead character of Gilbert Power, an American podcaster whose family emigrated from Cork, who travels to Ireland hoping to discover his Irish roots and in pursuit of material for his next podcast. Robyn Cara plays the researcher for Gilbert's podcast who is struggling to find her voice and is pulled between Gilbert and Dove, played by Siobhan Cullen, a hard nosed investigative journalist who is facing the biggest crisis of her career.

David Wilmot plays charming character Seamus Gallagher who is prone to outbursts of violence when
feeling threatened and Chris Walley who plays Sean O'Shea, is a typical Irish country lad and a local from the village of Bodkin who is wrapped up in some pretty shady business where he quickly comes to learn he is out of his depth.