Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Justine Mitchell and Jason O’Mara
RTÉ, in association with Banijay Rights and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland join forces on "These Sacred Vows", a new comedy-drama series written and directed by award-winning Irish screenwriter John Butler. The series is about an Irish wedding in Spain; a week of day-drinking and chaotic nights where secret fears, jealousy and desire bubble to the surface.
With a stellar Irish cast including Tom Vaughan-Lawlor ("Love/Hate"), Justine Mitchell ("Derry Girls"), Jason O’Mara ("Agents of SHIELD") and India Mullen ("Normal People"), the show starts production on location in Tenerife on Monday 7 April.
Banijay Rights will handle the global distribution of the series. The show will be produced by Rob Walpole and Rebecca O’Flanagan from Award-winning Irish independent production company Treasure Entertainment. "These Sacred Vows" was commissioned by David Crean, Acting Head of Drama, RTÉ.
David Crean, Acting Head of Drama RTÉ said: “David Crean, Acting Head of Drama RTÉ said: “John Butler’s amazing drama leaps off the page with life and fun and naughtiness. These Sacred Vows showcases the very best of Irish talent to Irish and international audiences.”
A PARTICULAR WEEDING
"These Sacred Vows" series (6x60min) opens the morning after the wedding, when the body of a priest is found floating face-down in the swimming pool of the young guests’ villa. Over the course of six episodes, the action jumps back in time to revisit the key events of a wild previous week, each from the perspective of a different character.
John Butler, added: “I love the idea of six films of the same style, all set in the same place on successive days, with each of those characters experiencing the madness of an Irish wedding very differently. Irish weddings are unique - and uniquely mad - and can be related to by everyone because (as with vermin) you’re never too far away from the looming spectre of Someone’s Big Day.”
Rebecca O’Flanagan and Rob Walpole for Treasure “We are so happy to working with our collaborator and friend John Butler on this bitingly funny yet moving project. John is a master at combining the sublime with the ridiculous and never more so than in these beautifully crafted scripts. RTE have been enthusiastic supporters of this project from the very first verbal pitch; Screen Ireland have been long time supporters of our work with John; and to have Banijay on board across global distribution rounds out the finance beautifully. In front of the camera we have assembled our dream team of established talent and exciting fresh faces. We are so excited for this one”.
Simon Cox, EVP Content & Acquisitions, Banijay Rights: said: “With a stand-out script, acting line-up and creative team, These Sacred Vows is set to be the latest in a long line of hit TV dramas to hail from Ireland. We’re excited to build on our long term relationship with RTÉ as the international partner on this returnable drama, which we are presenting to the market later this year.”
Kate McColgan, Head of Television, Fís Éireann/ Screen Ireland said: “Screen Ireland is delighted to support the production of These Scared Vows. I would like to congratulate John Butler and the entire team at Treasure for creating a very clever, funny and compelling television series that will be destination viewing, not just for Irish audiences, but for those who love great TV around the world. Screen Ireland is very proud to have supported John Butler throughout his career and we look forward to Irish audiences seeing this major TV series on RTÉ next year.”