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The Young Offenders (TV series)

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The Young Offenders
GenreSitcom
Created byPeter Foott
Based onThe Young Offenders
by Peter Foott
Written byPeter Foott
Directed byPeter Foott
Tom Lister
StarringAlex Murphy
Chris Walley
Hilary Rose
Dominic MacHale
Jennifer Barry
Demi Isaac Oviawe
P. J. Gallagher
Orla Fitzgerald
Shane Casey
Narrated byAlex Murphy
Music byRay Harman
Country of originIreland
Original languageEnglish
No. of series4
No. of episodes25 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersLotte Beasley
Cormac Fox
Abby Singer
Eddie Doyle
Justin Healy
Peter Foott
ProducerMartina Niland
CinematographyPatrick Jordan
EditorsHugh Chaloner
Anna Maria O'Flanagan
Running time30 minutes
Production companiesVico Films
BBC
Original release
NetworkRTÉ2
BBC Three
RTÉ One
BBC One
Release1 February 2018 (2018-02-01) –
present

The Young Offenders is an Irish coming-of-age television sitcom, developed by Peter Foott, for RTÉ and BBC Three. Based on the IFTA-winning 2016 film of the same name, the first series began broadcasting on 1 February 2018, to generally favourable reviews.[1] The series follows the lives of Conor MacSweeney and Jock O'Keeffe, lovable rogues from Cork.

The show stars Alex Murphy and Chris Walley as the main characters, reprising their roles of Conor MacSweeney and Jock O'Keeffe from the film, respectively, with supporting roles from Hilary Rose as Mairead MacSweeney, Dominic MacHale as Sergeant Tony Healy, P. J. Gallagher as Principal Barry Walsh, Jennifer Barry as Siobhan Walsh, Demi Isaac Oviawe as Linda Walsh, Orla Fitzgerald as Orla Walsh and Shane Casey as Billy Murphy.[2]

Prior to the six-episode first series coming to an end, the programme was recommissioned for a second series,[3] which was broadcast between 3 November and 8 December 2019,[4] after a Christmas special was released on 14 December 2018, starring Irish actor Robert Sheehan.[5] A third series was broadcast between July and August 2020.[6]

On 3 March 2023, it was confirmed that a fourth series had been commissioned by RTÉ and the BBC, also that the show would move to BBC One in the United Kingdom.[7] Several months later, RTÉ announced that the release date would be postponed until 2025 as part of €10m worth of RTÉ cost cuts,[8] however the fourth series aired on 10 May 2024 on BBC One & BBC iPlayer.[9]

Series overview

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The series follows the adventurous and delinquent lives of Cork-based teenagers Conor MacSweeney (Alex Murphy) and Jock O'Keeffe (Chris Walley). Although delinquents, the boys both have deep feelings about certain topics, and these views are explained by Conor in his narration at the end of each episode.

The first series reviews Conor and Jock's feud with their school principal, Barry Walsh (P. J. Gallagher), and their relationships with his daughters, Linda (Demi Isaac Oviawe) and Siobhan (Jennifer Barry), respectively. It also sees Conor try to overcome his fear of his first kiss with Linda, or as Jock calls "shifting", as well as seeing Conor's mother Mairéad (Hilary Rose) begin a relationship with Jock and Connor's enemy, Sergeant Tony Healy (Dominic MacHale), the local police officer. Jock's abusive home life with his alcoholic father (Michael Sands) is addressed further, which results in him moving in with the MacSweeneys.

In the second series, Siobhan is heavily pregnant, and Jock and Conor attempt to earn money in many different ways. Conor and Linda are preparing to go to the next stage of their relationship by having sex. However, their plans are affected when Jock's old best friend Gavin, now Conor's arch-enemy, dares Linda to kiss him. Siobhan's mother Orla (Orla Fitzgerald) and Mairéad attempt to build up a friendship between themselves and the two families for the sake of Siobhan’s baby. Principal Walsh tries to show that Jock is not a worthy father by giving him challenges.

Cast and characters

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Main

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Conor is the son of Mairéad MacSweeney (Hilary Rose) and the best friend and subsequent foster brother of Jock O'Keeffe (Chris Walley). Conor's father was killed in an accident at work. Conor is the follower of Jock, and takes part in regular petty criminal acts alongside him.
  • Chris Walley as Jock O'Keeffe (Main; Film, Season 1-3 Recurring; 4):
Jock is the best friend and subsequent foster brother of Conor MacSweeney (Alex Murphy). Jock is also known as 'fake Billy', as he purchased a mask from an online shop, and commits many crimes, to which he brings Conor's involvement into – mainly stealing bikes and regular various thefts.
Máiréad is the mother of Conor MacSweeney (Alex Murphy), and the widow of Conor's father. Máiréad gave birth to Conor at the age of 16, which Conor says is "old for their neighbourhood". She works at the English Market as a fishmonger. She is fiercely assertive and very protective of her son, often being called on to get him out of trouble.
Healy is a local Garda and the long-term enemy of Jock O'Keeffe (Chris Walley) and Conor MacSweeney (Alex Murphy). Healy has the major ambition to expose the identity of "fake Billy" (who is Jock in disguise throughout his crimes), and he has a "cat and mouse chase" with Jock.
  • Jennifer Barry as Siobhan Walsh:
Siobhan is the daughter of Barry (P. J. Gallagher) and Orla Walsh (Orla Fitzgerald), the sister of Linda Walsh (Demi Isaac Oviawe) and the girlfriend of Jock O'Keeffe (Chris Walley). Siobhan and Linda both receive regular bullying from other students at their school, due to their father's strictness as the principal.
Linda is the daughter of Barry (P. J. Gallagher) and Orla Walsh (Orla Fitzgerald), the sister of Siobhan Walsh (Jennifer Barry) and the girlfriend of Conor MacSweeney (Alex Murphy). It is clear that she is not biologically related to her family, as she is black whereas her family are all white.
Barry Walsh is the principal of St. Finan's Community School, where Conor MacSweeney (Alex Murphy) and Jock O'Keeffe (Chris Walley) attend, as well as his two daughters Siobhan (Jennifer Barry) and Linda (Demi Isaac Oviawe). It is clear that all students hate Principal Walsh, which sees Siobhan and Linda receive regular bullying for their father's strictness.
Orla is the wife of Principal Barry Walsh (P. J. Gallagher) and the mother of Siobhan (Jennifer Barry) and Linda Walsh (Demi Isaac Oviawe).
Billy is the local "nut-job", who carries around a knife and regularly mugs locals, including Conor MacSweeney (Alex Murphy).
The young daughter of Jock and Siobhan, born at the end of season 2.

Recurring

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  • Chris Kent as Conor's Dad:
Conor's dad is the deceased husband of Mairead MacSweeney (Hilary Rose) and the father of Conor (Alex Murphy).
  • Cora Fenton as Fiona O'Keeffe:
Jock's mum died years ago when she drowned. The police never found her body, but found her car on the roadside of a lake.
  • Michael Sands as Jock's Dad:
Jock's dad is the widower of Jock's mum (Cora Fenton).

Guest

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Robert Sheehan
Roy Keane
Actor Robert Sheehan (left) and footballer Roy Keane (right) both made cameo appearances in the Christmas special and second series, resepectively
Irish actor, who is filming for a new film in Cork, where he meets Conor and Jock.
He is seen briefly when he tries to order fish and chips from Mairead, Conor and Jock.

Production

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Development

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The film, The Young Offenders, was released in 2016 and was generally well-reviewed, winning an Irish Film & Television Award. With the popularity of the film, it was confirmed on 9 May 2017 that a six-episode television programme, based on the film with the same name, had been ordered by RTÉ, to be broadcast in 2018.[12] Creator, Peter Foott commented, "It's incredibly exciting to be able to work with the BBC and with RTÉ to bring these characters back to the screen, they have been so supportive of the project and will be a wonderful home for it. The public response to the film, and specifically the characters themselves, was just so overwhelming that we really felt there were a lot more stories to tell".[12] This series began broadcasting on 1 February 2018, through the online television service BBC Three, and was later broadcast on RTÉ2 in Ireland on 8 February 2018.[13][14] With a popular and high reception, the series was recommissioned for a second series, although the projected release date was not disclosed for over a year.[3]

In November 2018, it was confirmed that a Christmas special had been produced to conclude the first series with the episode becoming available for streaming via BBC iPlayer from 14 December onwards, whereas television screen broadcasting occurred on Christmas Day.[15][16] In October 2019, with lack of news over past months except cast member Shane Casey posting the front cover of an episode script on his Instagram account, it was reported that the second series would begin broadcasting in November.[17] Days later, the BBC confirmed that the second series would commence on 3 November.[18] It was later confirmed that all six episodes would be available to be streamed through the BBC iPlayer service from the second series' premiere date.[4] The second series was well-acclaimed by critics, which resulted in the BBC recommissioning the programme for a third series, to be broadcast in 2020, shortly after the second series concluded.[19]

In July 2020 it was confirmed that, shortly after a short trailer was released by the BBC promoting the third series' forthcoming release, the third series' entire episode list would be released on 19 July 2020.[6] It was also announced that the programme would be broadcast on a weekly basis on BBC One.[6]

Casting

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Upon the confirmation that the programme had been ordered, it was announced that Alex Murphy and Chris Walley would reprise their roles as lead characters Conor MacSweeney and Jock O'Keeffe, respectively.[12] However, through viewing the third episode of the first series, it was shown that Walley's character had officially been renamed for the television series: in the film, the character was nicknamed "Jock", due to him only having one piece of underwear, and his surname was Murphy; whereas in the television programme the character was actually named Jock, with his surname changing from Murphy to O'Keeffe.[20] Furthermore, it was confirmed that Hilary Rose would also be reprising her role from the film, portraying Mairead MacSweeney, the mother of Murphy's character.[12] P. J. Gallagher also returned from the film, though he began portraying the role of Principal Barry Walsh, having portrayed the role of drug dealer Ray in the film,[21] whereas Dominic MacHale and Shane Casey reprised their roles as Sergeant Tony Healy and Billy Murphy from the film, respectively.[2]

New additions to the cast included Jennifer Barry and Demi Isaac Oviawe, who portray the roles of Siobhan and Linda Walsh, the daughters of Principal Walsh; the characters are introduced as love interests for Jock and Connor, respectively.[2] Orla Fitzgerald also joined the cast, portraying the role of Orla Walsh, the wife of Principal Walsh and mother of Siobhan and Linda; she was introduced as a secondary character in the first series though was promoted as a series regular during the second series.[2]

Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy was suggested by show producers to Peter Foott as an actor to try and sign on for the second series, and Murphy later told the media that he would be willing to appear in the show if "he was given a good part".[22] In October 2018, it was confirmed that former Love/Hate actor Robert Sheehan had joined the cast in an undisclosed role, after the news was confirmed by Walley during an interview; he portrayed himself in the Christmas special.[5] On 24 November 2018, it was confirmed that a one-off Christmas episode would be broadcast, featuring Sheehan, with the official news that he would only be making a guest appearance in that singular episode.[15] The tradition of celebrities making cameo appearances in the programme continued in the second series, when Irish footballing legend Roy Keane made a brief cameo where the characters attend a Cork City Football Club match as caterers.[23]

Filming

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The majority of the first series was filmed at various locations in Cork.[24] It showed the crew filming at numerous historical locations across the city, including the view from Shandon, the English Market, North Mall & the Franciscan Abbey, Kyrl's Quay & Medieval Cork and Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral.[24] The view from Shandon is a scene from both the television programme and film, in which the majority of the programme's scenes are filmed, usually at the beginning and conclusion of episodes.[24]

In September 2018, the cast were seen filming around Cork in costume, with these events being captured on camera by a fan of the show, who in turn uploaded this image to social media.[25] It was initially believed to be filming for the second series, though this proved not to be the case, with it being the Christmas special being filmed in preparation for a December release date.[25]

Principal photography for the second series began in June 2019, with the BBC confirming that production had begun, with them uploading a promotional image of Murphy and Walley in character.[26] Despite the programme's distributors not publicly announcing its recommissioning for a third series, the third series was filmed back-to-back alongside the second series.[27]

Marketing

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Scenes from the programme became available on YouTube, which were distributed by BBC Three.[28] The trailer for the second series was released in October 2019.[29]

Episodes

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Main article: List of The Young Offenders episodes
SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired (Ireland)
First airedLast airedNetwork
171 February 201814 December 2018RTÉ2
2611 November 201916 December 2019
3624 July 202028 August 2020RTÉ One
SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired (United Kingdom)
First airedLast airedNetwork
4610 May 20247 June 2024BBC One

Broadcast

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Region/Country Release title Broadcaster First broadcast date
Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland The Young Offenders RTÉ Two 1 February 2018
United Kingdom United Kingdom BBC Three
BBC Two
BBC One 		1 February 2018 (online)
9 February 2018 (television)

Reception

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Critical response

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Aoife Kelly of the Irish Independent released a positive review of the programme after the broadcast of the first episode, commenting, "It takes the best of the movie and builds on it".[30] Bruce Dessau stated that the programme was a brilliant show to watch, and that he believed that it had a similar reputation to Channel 4 series Derry Girls, set in Northern Ireland, with other journalists calling for a crossover to be produced of the two programmes for the future.[31] Some articles reported the show as "heart-warming", with the third episode of the first series receiving generally favourable reviews from fans and critics alike.[32]

Accolades

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Year Ceremony Nominee(s) Award Result
2018 Rose d'Or The Young Offenders Best Sitcom Nominated
2018 Irish Film & Television Academy Chris Walley Best Male Performance – Television Won
2018 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Breakthrough Brit Won

References

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  1. ^ Guerin, Harry (10 February 2018). "Behind the scenes with The Young Offenders". RTÉ.ie.
  2. ^ a b c d "The Young Offenders (TV Series, 2018– 2020) - Full Cast & Crew". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 1 November 2018. [unreliable source?]
  3. ^ a b Moore, Paul (8 February 2018). "OFFICIAL: Brilliant news because The Young Offenders will be getting a second season". Joe.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  4. ^ a b "The Young Offenders". BBC. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  5. ^ a b Cashin, Rory (30 October 2018). "Love/Hate star is joining cast of The Young Offenders for Season 2". Joe.ie. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  6. ^ a b c "The Young Offenders season 3 release date and cast from BBC series". TellyMix. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Hit comedy the Young Offenders to return for a fourth series on BBC One & BBC iPlayer".
  8. ^ Shortiss, Eoin (30 November 2023). "RTE defer The Young Offenders fourth season until 2025 as part of huge cutbacks". Cork Beo.
  9. ^ "The Young Offenders". www.bbc.co.uk.
  10. ^ Ganatra, Shilpa. "The Young Offenders: 'A Cork accent is a bizarre noise to come out of a mouth'". The Irish Times.
  11. ^ "Meet Cork's youngest Young Offenders". Irish Examiner. 31 July 2020.
  12. ^ a b c d Clarke, Donald (9 May 2018). "The Young Offenders is to become a TV series". The Irish Times.
  13. ^ "The Young Offenders, Series 1: Episode 1". BBC iPlayer. 1 February 2018.
  14. ^ "New Irish Sitcom Tipped To Be EVEN BIGGER Than Derry Girls". Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  15. ^ a b "Top Irish actor to guest star in Young Offenders Christmas special". MSN News. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  16. ^ "Young Offenders Christmas Special Air Date Revealed". 98FM.com. 11 December 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  17. ^ We FINALLY have a release date for season 2 of The Young Offenders, Buzz.ie, 20 October 2019, retrieved 27 October 2019[permanent dead link]
  18. ^ BBC confirms The Young Offenders season 2 return date, MSN.com, 25 October 2019, retrieved 27 October 2019
  19. ^ "The Young Offenders series 3 is confirmed - potential start date, cast and changes". HITC. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  20. ^ "The Young Offenders – Series 1, Episode 3". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 16 February 2018. [unreliable source?]
  21. ^ "Gallagher delighted with Young Offenders switch-up". RTE. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  22. ^ Moore, Paul. "Cillian Murphy's cameo in The Young Offenders might actually happen". Joe.ie. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  23. ^ Barry, Stephen (4 November 2019). "'F*** off': Roy Keane makes cameo appearance on The Young Offenders". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  24. ^ a b c "7. Cork Locations, The Young Offenders TV Show, 2018". Cork Heritage. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  25. ^ a b "OFFICIAL: Season 2 of The Young Offenders is now filming". JOE.ie.
  26. ^ "Filming starts on The Young Offenders Series 2". British Comedy Guide. 11 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  27. ^ "The Young Offenders season 3: Will there be another series?". Daily Express - Showbiz, TV, Radio. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  28. ^ "Our Favourite Moments From Series 1 - The Young Offenders Series 2 Coming Soon". YouTube. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  29. ^ "TRAILER: The First Trailer For The Young Offenders Season 2 Is Here". SPIN1038. 29 October 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  30. ^ "The Young Offenders TV series episode 1 review: 'It takes the best of the movie and builds on it' - Independent.ie". 8 February 2018.
  31. ^ Dessau, Bruce (2 February 2018). "Review: The Young Offenders, BBC Three". Beyond The Joke. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  32. ^ "Last night's extremely heartwarming episode of The Young Offenders had viewers in tears". The Daily Edge. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
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