Kathy Burke’s ITV drama Holding set to star Siobhan MacSweeney and Conleth Hill as lead actors

Kathy Burke’s ITV drama Holding set to star Siobhan MacSweeney and Conleth Hill in small screen adaptation of Graham Norton’s novel

Derry Girls’ Siobhan MacSweeney, Game of Thrones star Conleth Hill and Oscar-winner Brendan Fricker are leading the cast for ITV drama Holding.

The four-part series is being adapted by actress and director Kathy Burke from Graham Norton’s best-selling novel of the same name.

The show, set in the fictional of Duneen, County Cork in Ireland, follows police officer Sergeant PJ Collins (Conleth) who is called to solve the first serious crime of his life when the body of local legend Tommy Burke is found.

Cast: Derry Girls’ Siobhan MacSweeney (pictured), Game of Thrones star Conleth Hill and Oscar-winner Brendan Fricker are leading the cast for ITV drama Holding

Siobhan stars as the vulnerable Bríd Riordan who was due to marry Tommy before his disappearance.

Home Alone 2 star Brenda portrays Lizzie Meany, a woman in PJ’s life who has been privately battling her own demons.

The show is being filmed on location in West Cork and also stars Father Ted actress Pauline McLynn, Peaky Blinders’ Charlene McKenna and The Virtues star Helen Behan.  

Rounding out the cast are Clinton Liberty (Normal People), Amy Conroy (The South Westerlies), Olwen Fouéré (Beast), Eleanor Tiernan (Bridget and Eamon), Gary Shelford (Belgravia), Lochlann Ó’Meárain (Smother), Sky Yang (Halo), Demi Issac Oviawe (The Young Offenders), Norma Sheahan (Bridget and Eamon), and Anne Kent (Fair City).

Story: The show, set in the fictional of Duneen, County Cork in Ireland, follows police officer Sergeant PJ Collins (Conleth Hill, pictured) who is called to solve the first serious crime of his life when the body of local legend Tommy Burke is found

Story: The show, set in the fictional of Duneen, County Cork in Ireland, follows police officer Sergeant PJ Collins (Conleth Hill, pictured) who is called to solve the first serious crime of his life when the body of local legend Tommy Burke is found

Star: Brenda Fricker portrays Lizzie Meany, a woman in PJ's life who has been privately battling her own demons (pictured in 2012)

Star: Brenda Fricker portrays Lizzie Meany, a woman in PJ’s life who has been privately battling her own demons (pictured in 2012)

Calum Rea, Jane Spollen, Jim O’Donnell, Pat Kinevane, Karl Quinn, Michael Fry, Maria Connolly, Ian Brooker, Abhainn Harrington, Christopher Logan, Molly Logan, Terhas Gleeson, Ivet Corvea, Gary Murphy and Felix Brown will also star.

Speaking about joining the show, Siobhan MacSweeney said: ‘I cannot think of a better script in a better place with a better cast and crew. I’m in heaven being back in Cork.’

Brenda Fricker added: ‘I am ecstatic to be part of this wonderful production, in beautiful Skibbereen, and finally not to be playing a mother! 

Adaptation: The four-part series is being adapted by actress and director Kathy Burke from Graham Norton's best-selling novel of the same name

Adaptation: The four-part series is being adapted by actress and director Kathy Burke from Graham Norton’s best-selling novel of the same name

‘Mrs Meany is a bit of a dark horse. She has had a dreadful life but has retained her values, her friendships and most of all her sense of humour, keep a sharp eye on her.’  

The show is written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Karen Cogan for Dominic’s ITV Studios label, Happy Prince. 

Holding, released in 2016 was Graham Norton’s debut novel and won the Popular Fiction Book of the Year award at the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards.

Author: Holding, released in 2016 was Graham Norton's debut novel and won the Popular Fiction Book of the Year award at the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards (pictured in 2019)

Author: Holding, released in 2016 was Graham Norton’s debut novel and won the Popular Fiction Book of the Year award at the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards (pictured in 2019)

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