Irish actress and model Nadia Forde (Once Upon a Time in London, Republic of Telly) has created The Lido; a Dublin-set comedy series for RTÉ.
Based on Forde’s own family history, the series centres on an Italian-run fish and chip shop in 1980s Dublin, as well as family relationships and rivalries in the Italian-Irish community.
The series will deal with themes of immigration, equality, and family loyalty, with the broadcaster describing it as heart-warming and charming.
Rioghnach Ni Ghrioghair (Neon) has been attached as the lead writer, while Eamann Westland is also part of the writers’ room. The Lido is a co-production between Reflektor Media and Play Human. The series will be made in collaboration with Northern Ireland Screen for RTÉ.
"I've been enjoying every single step of this journey with Nadia and the team and can't wait to bring The Lido further to life,” lead writer, Rioghnach Ní Ghrioghair told IFTN.
“The Italian chipper has been such a big part of Dublin life, and it deserves to be honoured signficantly. Dublin today is changing at a rate so fast that writing about it in the 1980s, the ‘Old Town’ Dublin, makes you realise how much it's lost in character since then,” Ní Ghrioghair continued. “In an ever-evolving city, Dublin in the 80s also deserves its place on the screen."
The series will be produced by Stephen McCormack for Reflektor Media and Matt Scott for Play Human. RTÉ Comedy Commissioner Justin Healy will executive produce the project with Ursula Devine representing Northern Ireland Screen on the project.