FILMING is underway in north Belfast for a new Channel 4 sitcom created by two sons of Irish Hollywood icon Brendan Gleeson.
Frank of Ireland, a six-part comedy series from the producers of 2019 C4 comedy hit This Way Up starring Kildare comedian Aisling Bea, is being shot on location in Belfast with crews filming scenes yesterday on the Crumlin Road.
Written and starring brothers Brian and Domhnall Gleeson, sons of Harry Potter and Gangs of New York star Brendan Gleeson, Frank of Ireland tells the story of a hopeless fantasist and failed musician Frank, who still lives with his mother in his 30s, and his sidekick 'Doofus'.
Set in Dublin and described as containing a "physical and ridiculous brand of humour with an original twist", the show is the latest Irish-shot sitcom aiming to secure success on Channel 4, following Derry Girls, which has went on to garner a global audience through being aired on Netflix.
The character of Frank is played by Brian Gleeson, previously nominated for an Irish Film and Television Award for his role in RTÉ crime drama Love/Hate, while Domhnall, who like his father appeared in the Harry Potter franchise, playing Bill Weasley, plays Doofus.
Filming for the sitcom began in both Belfast and Dublin earlier this year, before the coronavirus pandemic forced cameras to stop rolling.
Producer Sharon Horgan, who alongside Clelia Mountford is bringing the show to life with their production company Merman, said: "Working with the Gleeson Brothers has been like living in a very funny, existential dreamscape.
"I laughed so much making the pilot that it became annoying. So Clelia and I are very glad and relieved they still chose to make this series with us."
Frank of Ireland will begin airing at a date yet to be announced by Channel 4, and the series will reach North American audiences through Amazon Prime.