We are looking for original dramas for RTÉ One and RTÉ 2 for 2023 and onwards to entertain and open up a view of contemporary life. They must be Irish stories, but can include the Irish diaspora. We want to increase the returnability of series on a rolling annual basis as well as developing national statement pieces.
RTÉ One
Dramas for RTÉ One must have broad appeal and these slots are all post-watershed. Sunday night dramas speak to the nation and should provoke, challenge and entertain: TV for drama lovers of all ages. Eg. KIN, HIDDEN ASSETS, SMOTHER, TAKEN DOWN.
Returnability of a show is something to be considered at an early stage while acknowledging that some stories, particularly those drawing on real life events, will not extend beyond one serial event, we are open to discussing short and single run standalone series.
The ambition for 2023 is to have 32 hours of commissioned drama on RTÉ One and 10 hours on RTÉ 2. We want to show 12 hours on Sunday nights from Q3 onwards in 2023 and 12 hours in Q1 2024. So ideally, two series of 2x6 hours in the Winter and two series of 2x6 hours in the Spring. If the dramas suit, the remaining hours would play on Wednesdays at 9.30.
RTÉ 2
RTÉ 2 drama kicks off this year with a supersized Storyland, moving to RTÉ television for the first time. We will have three single 30 minute dramas ready for transmission in the autumn of 2022. The ambition is to expand this in 2023 so we will have Storyland plus 10 hours of new commissioned drama ready from September 2023.
Drama on RTÉ 2 should really stand out and be challenging, opinionated and irreverential. This is where new and emerging talent can showcase their stories. We’re looking for strongly authored voices that can see the world from a stimulating and provocative viewpoint.
Series must be distinctive and tonally differentiate from RTÉ One drama in the first instance. We’re actively seeking cost-effective series which will be a vehicle for emerging talent on either side of the camera as well as appealing to their peers. These shows can be for 60’ or 30’ slots
RTÉ actively develops projects that will meet the objectives of the various funding bodies on the Island of Ireland: BAI Sound and Vision Fund, Screen Ireland, the WRAP fund, Northern Ireland Screen as well as projects that are suited to international co-funding, pre-sales and co-production.
If helpful, RTÉ will work closely with producers in attaching financing partners. Co-production and co-financing is a high priority for RTÉ and we suggest producers talk to us early about projects they have in mind.
Should you wish to submit an idea for development investment you will need to register and submit on RTÉ's e-commissioning. Drama staff members are available to discuss ideas in advance of formal submission. A brief pitch from the writer and producer is useful at an early stage.
Some key points to keep in mind when submitting ideas to RTÉ Drama:
- All submissions need to be submitted by an independent production company and / or individuals or partnerships with previous production related experience;
- Keep pitches concise. Make sure that they are well thought through and have a considered point and purpose;
- Avoid following trends or mimicking what others have done; we always look for something we haven't seen before. RTÉ dramas should create their own trend;
- We’re not actively seeking period drama at the moment. Our audiences are responding more to drama with a contemporaneous resonance, stories that capture the essence of modern Ireland and what it’s like to be living in Ireland today;
- Co-production and co-financing are a high priority - be prepared to discuss financing options when you pitch though we don’t expect you to have a fixed plan.
