RT ANNOUNCE NEW DRAMA THE MURDER OF MR. MOONLIGHT BASED ON THE DISAPPEARANCE AND MURDER OF BOBBY RYAN

RT ANNOUNCE NEW DRAMA THE MURDER OF MR. MOONLIGHT

BASED ON THE DISAPPEARANCE AND MURDER OF BOBBY RYAN

CAST INCLUDES BRENDAN COYLE, SIN AD KEENAN, OWEN McDONNELL AND HAZEL DOUPE

THE MURDER OF MR. MOONLIGHT will air on RT in 2027

RT has commissioned The Murder of Mr. Moonlight in association with the BBC and Screen Ireland and Banijay Rights. Adapted for television by award-winning screenwriter Malcolm Campbell (What Richard Did, 500 Miles), the new drama is produced by Conker Pictures, part of Banijay UK, and Samson Films. The BBC has acquired the series for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

This new RT series falls within a record-breaking 160 hours of Irish drama announced earlier this year. An increase on last year's 142 hours, this biggest-ever drama offering underlines RT 's commitment to Ireland's creative sector and to homegrown storytelling for Irish audiences in Ireland.

The series brings to screen one of the most compelling and talked-about cases in modern Irish history, exploring the disappearance and murder of Bobby Ryan, known locally as Mr. Moonlight , and the events that would ultimately lead to one of Ireland's longest-ever murder trials.

Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey, Toxic Town, Hit Point) stars as Bobby Ryan alongside Sin ad Keenan (Unforgotten, Little Boy Blue) as Mary Lowry and Owen McDonnell (Killing Eve, Bad Sisters, Single-Handed) as Patrick Quirke.

They are joined by Hazel Doupe (Say Nothing, Kathleen Is Here, Smother) as Bobby's daughter, Michelle Ryan, Carolyn Bracken (Oddity, The Gone) as Pat's wife, Imelda Quirke and Ian Lloyd Anderson (The Long Shadow, Blood, Love/Hate).

Additional cast includes Danny Power (The Young Offenders), Helena Browne (Leonard and Hungry Paul), Muiris Crowley (Foundation), Aidan O'Hare (Bad Sisters), Emmet Byrne (Alex Rider, Striking Out) and Pom Boyd (The Dry, Frank of Ireland).

Set within a close-knit rural community, The Murder of Mr. Moonlight explores the relationships, secrets and tensions that lay behind a case which captivated Ireland for more than a decade. Through the perspectives of those closest to the events, the series examines the devastating impact of loss, the search for justice and the far-reaching consequences of a tragedy that changed lives forever.

The series is based on Catherine Fegan's book The Murder of Mr Moonlight alongside extensive research and interviews. It moves beyond the headlines to explore the human story behind one of the most remarkable criminal investigations in modern Irish history. The series marks the first chapter in a potential strand of dramas exploring extraordinary true stories from modern Ireland.

Writer Malcolm Campbell said: I was drawn to this story because of the people caught up in it, the human factor, the cost of it all. At its heart are real people whose lives were profoundly affected by these events. Our responsibility has been to approach the process with care, sensitivity and rigorous research, while exploring the relationships and circumstances that made this case so compelling.

Kim Varvell and Tommy Bulfin, executive producers, Conker Pictures, said: The Murder of Mr. Moonlight is one of the most significant crime stories in recent Irish history. Our ambition has always been to move beyond the headlines and explore the human story behind the case. At the heart of the story is Bobby Ryan, whose life was tragically cut short. However even after his death his story was overshadowed by the media's fascination with Pat Quirke and his former lover Mary Lowry. This drama intends to give a voice back to Bobby and his family.

Through extensive research and engagement with those connected to the events, we have sought to create a drama that is thoughtful, balanced and respectful to everyone portrayed. We hope the series honours his memory by ensuring he is remembered not simply as the victim of an extraordinary case, but as a father, grandfather, friend and much-loved member of his community.

David Collins, Executive Producer, Samson Films said: The case surrounding the real-life murder of Bobby Ryan gripped the nation due to its shocking courtroom revelations and intense media scrutiny. The Murder of Mr. Moonlight does not aim merely to re-enact these events but to interpret them with psychological depth and emotional sensitivity. The series prioritises a respectful tone that, above all, seeks to honour Bobby and all who were affected by these extraordinary events.

David Crean, Head of Drama, RT said: Malcolm Campbell has written a compelling story about the tragedy of Bobby Ryan. This moving human story is brought to life with the help of an amazing cast, and directed with real sensitivity by Datha Keane and Rachel Carey.

Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Scripted Pre-Buy Acquisitions, said: This case has gripped Ireland for many years, but remains relatively unknown in the UK. I cannot think of a better team to bring this extraordinary and heartbreaking story to a wider audience.

Kate McColgan, Head of Television, Screen Ireland added: The Murder of Mr. Moonlight approaches deeply complex real-life events with huge care and sensitivity, all led by an incredibly strong Irish cast and creative team. Screen Ireland is proud to back screen storytelling like this and we hope audiences at home and internationally will find the story as compelling and powerful as we have.

The Murder of Mr. Moonlight (5 60') is produced by Conker Pictures and Samson Films for RT , in association with the BBC, F s ireann/Screen Ireland and Coimisi n na Me n, with Banijay Rights handling international distribution.

The executive producers are Kim Varvell and Tommy Bulfin for Conker Pictures, David Collins for Samson Films, and Malcolm Campbell. David Crean is executive producer for RT , Kate McColgan and Sarah Dillon are executive producer

LINK:	https://about.rte.ie/2026/09/04/rte-announce-new-drama-the-murder-of-m...
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