Ireland has taken over the world stage thanks to talented actors and filmmakers making their mark in the industry. All we have to do is sit back, relax and watch …
The last few years has been nothing short of exceptional for Irish talent taking Hollywood by storm. From Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan in Banshees of Inisherin (not to mention Barry’s lead role in Saltburn), Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer and Small Things Like These, Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott in All of Us Strangers (and Mescal leading the charge in Aftersun and Gladiator II), Saoirse Ronan in The Outrun and Blitz, Alisha Weir in Matilda and Abigail, and An Cailin Ciúin and Kneecap enthralling audiences from every end of the spectrum – there’s no stopping us.
On the small screen, Sharon Horgan’s Bad Sisters created a unique space for a mostly-female cast, Nicola Coughlan takes centre stage at last in Bridgerton, and who could forget Derry Girls?
On an island of storytellers, should we expect anything less? Read all about the nominations at this year’s awards season, below.
Based on the rap group of the same name (leading a movement to save the Irish language), this film defied all odds to tie with Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet, with six BAFTA nominations and it positively dominates the IFTAs with an outstanding 17 nominations. It’s even set for Oscar recognition.
Saoirse Ronan co-produced this film with her husband, Jack Lowden (our Slow Horses favourite), which is also pipped for an Oscar. Ronan never disappoints, earning 2 BAFTA and 2 IFTA nominations, including Leading Actress for both.
Blitz
Speaking of Saoirse, legendary British director Steve McQueen’s Blitz (starring Ronan) garnered 3 BAFTA nominations. She can do no wrong, in our opinion (Louis Vuitton agrees as she recently debutted as an ambassador for the house).
Paul Mescal had big shoes to fill in this sequel to Gladiator, which was one of director Ridley Scott’s most critically acclaimed films and one of Russell Crowe’s most iconic roles. While the film received 3 BAFTA nominations, Mescal was rightfully nominated for Best Actor at the IFTAs; however, he’s up against a host of other talented Irish actors. Watch this space …
Irish production company Tailored Films co-produced The Apprentice and, no matter what happens on awards night, it certainly Trumps all others for relevance with 3 BAFTA and 2 IFTA nominations.
Conclave
Sweeping the boards with 11 BAFTA nominatons, along with leading man Ralph Fiennes up for Best International Actor, Sligo native Brian F. Byrne is nominated for Supporting Actor and First Time Acting at the IFTAs.
Small Things Like These
This dark tale based on Claire Keegan’s novel and set against the backdrop of the Magdalene Laundries in 1980s Ireland, understandably does not fall short at the IFTAs, with nominations for Best Film, Lead Actor Cillian Murphy, Lead Actress Eileen Walsh and Screenwriter Enda Walsh.
The Love/Hate star Peter Coonan made his directional debut and starred in King Frankie, with well-deserved IFTA nominations for Best Film and Lead Actor. Fran would be proud!
Kathleen Is Here
Peter Coonan and Clare Dunne also star in this heart-wrenching story, competing with King Frankie for Best Film at the IFTAs. Hazel Doupe also received a nomination for Lead Actress and Eva Birthistle for Directing.
Spilt Milk
This beautiful film of love and hardship is also nominated for Best Film, Best Director for Brian Durnin and Best Script for Cara Loftus. Look out for rising star Danielle Galligan, who’s tipped to go far.
We are delighted to see Jessie Buckley nominated for Lead Actress at the IFTAs in this razor-sharp stranger-than-fiction true story, holding her own opposite the multi award-winning Olivia Colman.
Cork native John Crowley – who also directed Brooklyn, starring Saoirise Ronan, and Intermission, starring Colin Farrell – perfectly captures the chemistry between Florence Pugh and Andrew Garlfield in this tear-jerker.
TV DRAMAS
This Obama-produced mini-series set in West Cork is topping IFTA nominations this year, up for Best Drama, Lead Actress (Siobhan Cullen), Supporting Actor (Chris Walley) and Supprting Actor (David Wilmot).
Bad Sisters
Season 2 of this gripping and equally hilarious series topped IFTA charts, surprising no-one. Sharon Horgan deserves all the flowers for her work in front of and behind the camera. She’s nominated for Lead Actress, with Supporting Actress nominations for Eve Hewson and Fiona Shaw, Supporting Actor (Micheal Smiley), Directing (Dearbhla Walsh) and the all-important Best Drama.
Unsurprisingly, Andrew Scott landed the nomination for Lead Actor at the IFTAs for breathing new life into Ripley, which is based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 crime novel The Talented Mr Ripley. Also starring the talented Dakota Fanning.
Nicola Coughlan shone in her starring role for Bridgerton season 3. As lead heroine, she makes a case for those of us who find comfort in the pages of books, but still enjoy a good gossip! We’re glad to see her Lead Actress nomination at the IFTAs. We’d love to see what Lady Whistledown had to say about it!
This limited series saw Colin Farrell transform (after three hours of prosthetics) into the famous Gotham gangster. As one of the most screened series last year and having already won a Golden Globe for Best Actor, Farrell’s a shoo-in for Lead Actor at the IFTAs. Another actor who rarely puts a foot wrong, we wish him luck.
Say Nothing
This stranger-than-fiction true story rose to the top of this year’s IFTA nominations and deservedly so. It’s up for Best Drama, Lead Actress (Lola Petticrew), Lead Actor and First Time Acting (Anthony Boyle), and Director (Micheal Lennox).
This famous tale based on Frederick Forsyth’s novel is one of the most iconic political thrillers to grace the screen. We have to shout out Brian Kirk – who also directed episodes of Game of Thrones and The Tudors – who’s up for a director nod at the IFTAs.
Based on the book trilogy Remembrance of Earth’s Past by Liu Cixin, Liam Cunningham – a triumph in this sci-fi thriller who gets to speak in his Dublin accent, which makes a nice change – has earned a Supporting Actor nomination at the IFTAs.
This limited-series, based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s famous novel, was certainly all anyone could talk about last year and it’s already been renewed for a second season. Starring the talented David Tennant, Katherine Parkinson, and our very own Victoria Smurfit and Aidan Turner, nominated for Supporting Actress and Lead Actor at the IFTAs, respectively.
The Dry
Season 2 saw a serious spike in interest this year, with a stellar cast that includes Kin’s Sam Keeley and Bodkin’s Siobhán Cullen. Ciarán Hinds is nominated as Lead Actor and Roisin Gallaher as Lead Actress at the IFTAs.
We’re blown away by the level of representation. Which shows will you be watching come awards time?
SEE MORE: From Comedy And Romance To Horror – It’s Cinema Time
