Commissioned by RTÉ and Northern Ireland Screen, the new series of Storyland is scheduled to be published on RTÉ Player Thursday, 19th October.
‘On the Hemline’ is one of the Storyland dramas debuting this week on RTÉ. Set in Cork, ‘On the Hemline’ sees long-term unemployed northsider Martha’s need to support her daughter Dawn's acceptance into a STEM programme in secondary school. Through the charity Hemline she meets recently widowed southsider called Sheenagh. Their different worlds collide, but together they embark on a journey of self-development that prepares Martha for her first job interview in years.
‘On the Hemline’ is produced by Tyrella Films, set up by Cork lady Oonagh Kearney to create high end film and television work with a particular interest in female-led stories and experiences. Recent work includes award winning ‘Oíche Nollaig na mBan/ Women’s Christmas Night’, commissioned by TG4 as part of their Splanc Season to celebrate a centenary of Irish Art in 2016.
The core team for On the Hemline features three Cork women: Oonagh Kearney is writer/director, Barbara Healy is Producer, and Sinéad Barry is Production Manager.
The cast includes Eileen Walsh (‘Pure Mule’, ‘The Magdalene Sisters’) and Cathy Belton (‘Red Rock’). The local cast includes Conor and Louis Lovett, along with emerging Cork talent Emma Willis, with 11 year old, Cork schoolgirl, Kaci Power O’Driscoll making her screen debut as Martha’s lively daughter, Dawn.