Hollywood calling for new wave of Irish stars

Lenny Abrahamson (pictured above)
Excuse us, we mean “Oscar nominee Lenny Abrahamson.” (We love saying that.) Every year is a great one for Abrahamson, who has rapidly become one of the greatest directors to ever have emerged from our fair Isle. The director of Adam & Paul, Garage, What Richard Did and Frank has just received his first Oscar nomination for his stunning adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s novel Room. Donoghue also received a nomination for her screenplay, as did lead actress Brie Larson for her stunning performance. The film has thus not only brought Abrahamson international acclaim, but marks a change in the entire Irish film industry, marking a new standard of filmmaking. But never content to rest on his laurels, Abrahamson has several other projects in the works, including an adaptation of Sarah Water’s ghostly novel The Little Stranger, a biopic of the gay Black boxer Emilie Griffith, and a possible TV series. We could not be more thrilled for the charming director – and will throw things at our TV should he not win on Oscar night.

Michael Yare
Dublin-born actor and model Michael Yare (aka Yare Jegbefume) may be known for his role as the no-nonsense social worker Felix Jones in Fair City, but this charismatic star already has some impressive film work under his belt. He appeared in the IFTA-nominated short Moore Street Masala, as well as Jim Sheridan’s Get Rich or Die Trying opposite 50 Cent (rumour has it they had a swagger-off). He also acted alongside Damien Dempsey in the Irish gangster movie Between The Canals, while The Other Side, starring John Rhys Davis, will air on American television in May. But 2016 is set to be the year of Yare, with the actor having landed a starring role in an as-yet unnamed Ridley Scott project.

Louise O’Neill
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ll have heard of writer Louise O’Neill – and she’s about to make her name known in the world of film as well as literature. O’Neill has racked up awards and acritical acclaim for her novel about rape culture, Asking For It, but it’s a previous work, her debut Only Ever Yours, which is being adapted for the big screen. The Margaret Atwood-style dystopian YA novel is about a world where women are bred for beauty, and their social status depends on their ability to remain slim, desirable and, above all, obedient. Killer Content, the company behind Todd Haynes’ Oscar nominated Carol, have acquired the rights to the disquieting book, which we’re sure will make a stunning cinematic experience.

Charlie Kelly
Charlie Kelly got off to a running start in 2016, playing Fusilier O’Hanlon in the critically acclaimed 1916 show Rebellion. His role in the mini-series, which was packed with the best and brightest Irish actors, was just the beginning of a year of intriguing parts, as the actor will also be appearing in Jim Sheridan’s upcoming drama The Secret Scripture, starring Rooney Mara, Aidan Turner, Eric Bana and Jack Reynor. Based on Sebastian Barry’s novel, the film is about a woman who keeps a diary of her experiences at a mental health facility, and is set to be a critical favourite. Kelly will also be starring opposite 50 Shades of Grey Star Jamie Dornan in the Netflix historical drama Jadotville. Richie Smyth’s picture tells the true story of the 150 Irish UN soldiers caught up in the Congo’s 1960 Katanga disturbances, where they fought against 3,000 Belgian and French mercenaries. Dornan plays their leader Pat Quinlan, while Kelly plays a young sergeant.