Laytown actor joins star-studded cast of new RTÉ crime drama

Laytown actor Clinton Liberty is set to appear in a new RTÉ crime drama alongside some of Ireland’s best-known acting talent, with the first trailer for The Galway Bay Murders now released.

The six-part series will premiere on Sunday, 8th November at 9.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, with Liberty joining an ensemble cast led by Star Trek: Voyager and Orange Is the New Black star Kate Mulgrew.

The drama also features acclaimed Irish actors Colm Meaney, John Connors, India Mullen, Cillian O’Sullivan, Jack Rowan and Dervla Kirwan.

Filmed in Conamara, the series follows seasoned New York detective Nora Savage, played by Mulgrew, who takes a career break following a traumatic event and returns to her family home in Galway through an exchange programme with An Garda Síochána.

Hoping for a change of pace, Nora soon finds herself drawn into a murder investigation involving a female climate activist. As the case develops, she comes up against a ruthless environmental magnate, putting those closest to her at risk and forcing her to confront her own personal demons.

Written by Eithne Verling, The Galway Bay Murders marks her first television drama script. The story was written specifically for Mulgrew following a chance meeting between the pair while the actress was holidaying in Galway.

The series explores themes of power, control, fanaticism and deception, while also highlighting Traveller culture.

Liberty, who grew up in Laytown and attended Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh before going on to Coláiste na hInse in Bettystown, has built an increasingly high-profile career since graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting from The Lir Academy at Trinity College Dublin.

He made his on-screen debut in the 2016 coming-of-age film Handsome Devil before gaining wider recognition for his role in the television adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Normal People.

More recently, he has become known internationally for playing Addam of Hull in HBO’s fantasy series House of the Dragon.

Speaking to the Meath Chronicle earlier this year, Liberty reflected on how his journey to the international production began in his home town of Laytown, describing how he auditioned for House of the Dragon while still living there.

He said the experience showed that success was possible regardless of where someone came from, provided they remained consistent and followed their dreams.

With The Galway Bay Murders, the Meath actor adds another major television production to his growing list of credits.

The Galway Bay Murders begins on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Sunday, November 8, at 9.30pm.