RT reveals line-up of new Entertainment, Drama & Factual Shows #rtenewseason
RT revealed a huge line-up of brand new homegrown entertainment, drama and factual programming across RT One and RT 2, at the Bord G is Energy Theatre today.
More than 65 new home-produced programmes ranging from major documentary series to brand new dramas, lifestyle and entertainment shows will air on RT this season including family entertainment show Dancing with the Stars and drama Striking Out.
Channel controller for RT One and RT 2, Adrian Lynch said: 2016 has already been a huge year for RT television, as we celebrated and commemorated the centenary of 1916, followed by the General Election, the Euros and the Olympics. This new season will continue to deliver distinctly Irish programming - everything from high quality homegrown drama to groundbreaking documentaries alongside unparalleled news, current affairs and sports coverage. With 35 new factual programmes in this year's line-up, RT Television will cast an unflinching eye on a broad range of themes affecting Irish life.
This year RT Television is making its biggest investment in drama in more than six years with three exciting new series in production this autumn.
Acting managing director of RT Television, Dermot Horan said: We know that Irish people want to see their stories on screen and that's why this year we are making our biggest investment in drama for more than six years with three new series in production in the coming months. Our role as the national broadcaster is to deliver programming that captivates and inspires the broader population and I believe this new line-up delivers on that promise.
FACTUAL
This year RT continues its proud tradition of delivering high quality factual programming that goes right to the heart of Irish society, defining who we are as a nation. Highlights across both channels include:
Kenny, a landmark two-part documentary charting the rise, fall and rise again of Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
Keeping Ireland Alive: The health service in a day, with 75 cameras following frontline staff over a 24-hour period to give viewers an unprecedented, groundbreaking insight into a service that affects all our lives.
Rural Addiction, tackling the growing problem of addiction sweeping rural Ireland.
Generation Jinxed Generation F'D, a three part documentary revealing life for Ireland's 25-35-year-olds, struggling to kickstart their adult lives.
RT One will feature documentaries bringing in-depth coverage of a broad range of subjects. Highlights include authored documentaries from: Dr Eva Orsmond on prescription pill addiction in Ireland in Medication Nation with Dr Eva; John Connors on the history of the Travellers in John Connors: The Travellers; Ian Kehoe on How Ireland was Bought and Sold and hurling star Henry Shefflin on the psychology of success in Henry Shefflin: Winning.
RT s firm commitment to investigative journalism continues this season with more RT Investigates programmes and reports from the unit that brought to light the mismanagement at leading Irish charity Console, and put the spotlight on standards in public office for politicians. In addition to its flagship programmes, RT News and Current Affairs will deliver comprehensive coverage of Budget 2017 and extensive election coverage of the most hotly debated US presidential race in years.
Building on the strong performance of the Reality Bites strand last year, RT 2 continues to hold up a mirror to Generation Y with documentaries reflecting the issues that matter to them. Highlights include: Generation What? a two-part documentary delivering a definitive picture of what makes Millennials tick based on the results of a landmark RT 2 survey of 18-34-year-olds. Vogue Williams investigates the growth in body dysmorphia, drugs culture, online bullying and transgenderism in four-parter Vogue Williams On the Edge and author Louise O'Neill tackles the issue of consent in Reality Bites: Asking for It.
DRAMA
Homegrown drama remains a key priority for RT with three brand new shows in production this autumn. Acceptable Risk, a six-part thriller starring Elaine Cassidy and Resistance, a War of Independence drama from the makers of Rebellion, go into production in the coming months. New to RT this season are:
Striking Out, Neil Morrissey joins Amy Huberman and Rory Keenan in the cast of this four-part drama about love, family and friendship in the world of Ireland's legal system.
Can't Cope, Won't Cope, RT 2's six-part darkly comic drama penned by TV newcomer Stefanie Preissner and starring up-and-coming talents Se na Kerslake and Nika McGuigan.
Viewers can also look forward to great Irish-based drama produced by the BBC in association with RT including EastEnders spin-off drama Redwater starring Jessie Wallace, Shane Richie, Fionnula Flanagan and Maria Doyle Kennedy; and My Mother and Other Strangers starring Hattie Morahan, Owen McDonnell and Aaron Staton; as well as The Fall, starring Jamie Dornan and Gillian Anderson, produced by Artists Studio in association with RT .
ENTERTAINMENT & COMEDY
The hugely popular family-entertainment series Dancing with the Stars debuts in January putting 11 celebrities through their paces, joining a stellar line-up of new home-produced shows and returning favourites including:
The Tommy Tiernan Show, a six-part chatshow with a difference Tommy has no idea who he'll be interviewing before they appear on stage.
The Nathan Carter Show, four-part music-entertainment show hosted by Ireland's favourite country star.
First Dates, the massively popular dating show returns with a supersized 12 episode series.
Daniel and Majella's B&B Road Trip, the much-loved duo hit the road again with 12 new B&B owners serving up unforgettable experien
