Navan director’s TG4 teen drama begins this week

Saol Ella, a new TG4 teen comedy drama, directed by Navan man Eamonn Norris, will begin airing this Thursday, 20th April, at 5pm. The show tells the story of Connemara teenager, Ella who is looking forward to the summer hanging out with her friends when her father decides to take in Irish college students for the first time. These Gaeilgóirí turn Ella’s house and life upside down as she must now deal with the chaos that comes with nine teenage girls living in her home.

The six-episode series, which was commissioned by TG4, was funded by TG4 along with Coimisiún na Meán Sound and Vision Fund and S481 Tax Incentive. The project was developed through a scheme funded by TG4, WRAP fund and Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland. Produced by Danú Media and written by Ailbhe Nic Giolla Bhríghde and Gemma Breathnach, the show filmed around Spiddal, Co Galway last summer.

“We were very lucky to get such great weather when filming as a lot of the show is set outdoors,” Eamonn Norris, who is originally from Commons Lane, Navan, says.

“I really loved the scripts. I went to Irish college myself as a teenager and they brought me back to that time. My family also had German and French students stay with us in Navan.”

Ella is played by Ciara Cox who is a series regular on TG4’s hit show, Ros na Rún.

“Ciara and I worked together before on Ros na Rún. She is a very talented actor and had to work very hard in the lead up to filming Saol Ella, having spent two months learning the guitar to play in the show. She also sings the theme song”.

Music is a major part of the show with Ella aspiring to be in a rock band. The original score is composed by Karima Dillon El-Toukhy. Other actors who appear in the show include Seán McDonagh (Das Boot), Siobhán O’Kelly (An Klondike) and Máire Ni Mháille (Foscadh).

“I am very grateful to TG4 and to producers Siobhán Ní Ghadhra and John Brady for giving me the opportunity to direct Saol Ella. Filming is always a collaboration and I was lucky that I got to work with such a great cast and crew having worked very closely with line producer, Louise Richardson and Director of Photography, Eoin Collins," Eamonn adds.

Saol Ella is a fun and light hearted series for young people as Gaeilge, which will also be a massive nostalgia buzz for anyone who ever went to Irish college or remembers a fun teenage summer. Saol Ella will be broadcast on TG4 from 20th April for six weeks on Thursdays at 5pm.