RTÉ and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland unveil four new Storyland dramas for 2025
Showcasing fresh Irish storytelling and emerging talent Storyland 2025 signals a fantastic time for Irish drama
RTÉ and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland are proud to announce the launch of four brand-new Storyland dramas, premiering this December on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, this year bringing one extra drama and the first Irish language Storyland.
Showcasing fresh Irish storytelling and emerging talent, collectively, they signal a fantastic time for Irish drama. Reflecting a modern, diverse Ireland, championing new voices both in English and as Gaeilge and strengthening a creative industry that continues to punch far above its weight on the national and international stage.
These new dramas mark the latest chapter in Storyland’s mission to support and amplify Ireland’s next generation of writers, directors, producers and actors. Together, the four dramas explore how ordinary lives are upended by pressure, perception and consequence.
Storyland is part of an unprecedented slate of original Irish drama in production in 2025, which will deliver 142 hours of high-quality, homegrown storytelling across screens in Ireland and around the world, firmly placing great local Irish drama on the international stage.
Since its inception in 2009, Storyland has acted as a launch pad for Irish writing, directing, producing and acting talent throughout Ireland to develop and further their careers. This is part of RTÉ’s ongoing strategy to increase its development in drama output, by investing in and supporting the Irish creative industry.
First up is The Ick, airing Monday, 8 December on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player at 9:30pm. When an image-obsessed dater contracts a mysterious condition that causes her to embody the worst traits of her romantic rejections, she’s forced to confront her own superficiality before the “ick” consumes her, or someone else. Starring Sophie Vavasseur, Hannah Mamalis and Jack Hickey. Produced by Aaron Chalke and written and directed by Jason Branagan for Playbook Media.
Next is Dúirt Bean Liom, airing Thursday, 11 December on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. In a quiet Gaeltacht town, a Kurdish family’s attempt to seek justice following an altercation with local teens sets off a chain reaction based on fear and misunderstanding. A misread encounter becomes twisted through word of mouth into something more sinister and as rumours spread like wildfire, a town is gripped by panic, culminating in a volatile showdown. Starring Danny Mac Eachmharcaigh, Seroosh Max Salimi, Zak Moradi, Tim Creed, Megan Armitage and Gina Goda. Produced by Lia Campbell and directed and co-written by Daniel Butler, co-written by Matthew Roache for Escape Pod Media. During the development of the project, the production team worked closely with the Amharclann Theatre Ghaoth Dobhair to run various script workshops and engage with local teenagers. During this process first time actors from Gort an Choirce, Ghaoth Dobhair and An Fál Carrach were cast for the project including Rheddyn Ní Ghairbheá, Odhrán O Donnell, Fionnuala Nic Aodha Bhuí, Fachtna O Briain, Huidí Mac Ghairbheá and Zirar Ameer. Dúirt Bean Liom was filmed on location in the Gaeltacht region of Gort an Choirce and An Fál Carrach.
Grace will premiere on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Monday, 15 December. Grace, a young woman with Down Syndrome, has a boyfriend. Their quiet love story is upended as others make decisions on her behalf, forcing her to fight for her independence, her relationship and her right to be heard. Grace is a poignant coming-of-age drama centred on a woman in her late 20s with Down Syndrome, navigating the complexities of adulthood, independence and first love from within a residential support house. Filmed entirely from Grace’s perspective, conversations about her life are overheard through door cracks, over banisters, or from the next room, immersing the audience in her world. Starring Fiadhnait Canning and Luca Malocco Mulville. Grace also features Carrie Crowley, Jeanne Nicole Ní Áinle, Deirdre Morley, Ally Ní Chiaráin and others. Produced by Nuala Carr, Executive Producer is Zlata Filipovic and written and directed by Anna Rodgers for Invisible Thread.
Finally, Collision will air on Thursday, 18 December on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Two schoolmates go on the run after causing a deadly car crash. As justice edges closer, the boys confront their feelings. The project was filmed on location in Westport, Co. Mayo. Starring Cúán Hosty Blaney and Cameron Brady. Written and directed by Michael Carolan and produced by Emer Durcan and cinematographer Brian Durcan for Western Front Studios.
David Crean, Head of Drama, RTÉ said,
“It’s always so exciting to introduce a new series of Storyland dramas to audiences on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. The joy of Storyland is being able to champion fresh Irish storytelling and bring new voices with original stories to television. This year, with four brand-new dramas, including our first-ever Irish language Storyland, we’re thrilled to showcase emerging talent that reflects a modern, diverse Ireland. We’re delighted to continue our work with our partners in Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland. Together, we are ensuring a strong pipeline for talent and new entrants into the drama sector, strengthening a creative industry that continues to punch far above its weight at home and on the international stage.”
Kate McColgan Head of Television Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland said,
“Once again, we are amazed with the quality of the work produced for the Storyland initiative. These four films represent the best of new film making in Ireland today and we are incredibly proud of the talent both in front and behind the camera. As always Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland is delighted to once again work closely with our colleagues in RTÉ on this wonderful opportunity to support some of Ireland’s new film makers.”
This year’s slate spans gripping thrillers, intimate character dramas and powerful contemporary themes with one of the four told through Irish and Kurdish, highlighting the continued commitment to representing diverse voices and cultures on screen.
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