Latest news with #LeonardAndHungryPaul
Irish Post
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Jamie-Lee O'Donnell joins cast of new BBC comedy being filmed in Dublin
JAMIE-LEE O'DONNELL is among the cast of a new BBC comedy which is being filmed in Dublin. The actor, who shot to fame in the hit series Derry Girls, will star alongside the likes of Alex Lawther and Laurie Kynaston in Leonard and Hungry Paul. Filming has now begun on the six-part series being produced by Subotica for the BBC, which is based on the best-selling debut novel of the same name by Irish author Rónán Hession. Laurie Kynaston, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell and Alex Lawther star in Leonard and Hungry Paul The story, which has been adapted by writers Richie Conroy and Mark Hodkinson, follows two board-gaming friends as they meander through life in their leafy suburban neighbourhood. 'At a time when most shows involve dragons, detectives, or existential dread, Leonard and Hungry Paul takes a slower route - through kindness, the quiet gravity of small things, and the occasional game of backgammon,' director Andrew Chaplin says of the show. 'Which is proof that not all heroes shout - some just know when to stay quiet.' Hession said he is 'delighted' to see his book adapted for the screen. 'It's a real privilege as a writer to see my work being brought to life in a different creative form,' he explained. Eddie Doyle, Senior Head of Content Commissioning for BBC Northern Ireland, says the series 'promises something special'. 'It is full of charm and poignant moments that encapsulate ordinary life,' he adds. 'With a stellar cast bringing this acclaimed novel to the screen, it will make an exciting addition to BBC Northern Ireland's offering this year.' See More: BBC, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, Leonard And Hungry Paul
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC Northern Ireland's new adaptation hailed as "exquisite" boasts a "top tier cast" – here's what to know
Leonard and Hungry Paul, the new series from BBC Northern Ireland, has confirmed its "top tier" cast. The six-part comedy, based on Rónán Hession's 2021 novel of the same name, follows two "unique" friends as they "meander" through their "leafy suburban lives", charting a story about "Judo, ancient Rome, first loves, and the expansion of the Universe." The series, which recently commenced filming in Dublin, boasts a "top tier" cast including Derry Girls' Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, The End of the F***ing World's Alex Lawther and Fool Me Once star Laurie Kynaston. Hession's novel, which was dubbed "exquisite" by a reviewer on Amazon, will be adapted by Richie Conroy and Mark Hodkinson, with Andrew Chaplin - best known for Alma's Not Normal and Smoggie Queens - on directing duties. "I am delighted to see Leonard and Hungry Paul being adapted for the screen," said Hession of the series. "It's a real privilege as a writer to see my work being brought to life in a different creative form." Related: "At a time when most shows involve dragons, detectives, or existential dread, Leonard and Hungry Paul takes a slower route - through kindness, the quiet gravity of small things, and the occasional game of backgammon," added Chaplin. "Proof that not all heroes shout - some just know when to stay quiet." Eddie Doyle, Senior Head of Content Commissioning, BBC Northern Ireland, also shared a statement, saying: 'This series promises something special and is full of charm and poignant moments that encapsulate ordinary life. With a stellar cast bringing this acclaimed novel to the screen, it will make an exciting addition to BBC Northern Ireland's offering this year." "Leonard and Hungry Paul is the story of two friends who ordinarily would remain uncelebrated," reads the logline for the novel. "It finds a value and specialness in them that is not immediately apparent and prompts the idea that maybe we could learn from the people that we overlook in life. Related: "Leonard and Hungry Paul change the world differently to the rest of us: we try and change it by effort and force; they change it by discovering the small things they can do well and offering them to others." In addition to being called "exquisite" by one reader, Leonard and Hungry Paul was similarly lauded by others for its feel-good nature, with one user describing the novel as a "pleasant, diverting read" which was "suffused with gentle good humour and likeable characters". Leonard and Hungry Paul currently has no release date. Digital Spy's first print magazine is here! Buy British Comedy Legends in newsagents or online, now priced at just £3.99.£49.99 at at at Audible at EE at at £99.00 at Amazon at at at at at at EE£91.40 at at at Amazon£54.98 at at at at at at at at at Game at EE at at at Pandora at at Sky Mobile at at at Game£123.99 at at at Three at at at at Pandora at at at at at at at at AO£199.99 at Fitbit at $15.00 at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at John Lewis£157.00 at John Lewis£44.99 at at at at at at at at at at John Lewis & Partners at Amazon at Three£32.99 at Amazon at at at at at at John Lewis & Partners at at at Fitbit$29.85 at at at Amazon at £49.99 at Amazon at at at at Apple£293.81 at at Three at at at at at at at at at at at at at at EE at at John Lewis at Audible at at John Lewis at EE at at £379.00 at at at at Amazon at at at Apple at at at Samsung at Three at Apple at at at at at John Lewis$365.00 at Microsoft at at crunchyroll£22.00 at Amazon at at AO£79.00 at Samsung£449.00 at John Lewis£79.98 at at at at at at John Lewis & Partners£79.98 at at Microsoft£299.00 at Microsoft at at at at John Lewis£269.99 at at at at at Amazon at at now at John Lewis & Partners at at at Microsoft at at at at at at John Lewis at at at £6.65 at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at You Might Also Like PS5 consoles for sale – PlayStation 5 stock and restocks: Where to buy PS5 today? IS MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7 THE BEST IN THE SERIES? OUR REVIEW AEW game is a modern mix of No Mercy and SmackDown
Irish Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Jamie-Lee O'Donnell of Derry Girls to star in BBC adaptation of Leonard and Hungry Paul
Derry Girls star Jamie-Lee O'Donnell , Laurie Kynaston (Fool me Once, The Sandman) and Alex Lawther (The End of the F***ing World) lead the cast for Leonard and Hungry Paul , the upcoming BBC adaptation of Dublin author Rónán Hession 's acclaimed novel. A gentle and thought-provoking drama about two board game-loving friends, the success of Leonard and Hungry Paul took its indie publisher Bluemoose Books by surprise when it was published in 2019. The novel has sold more than 300,000 copies worldwide and was selected as the book that Dubliners should read in 2021, chosen by Dublin City Council as its annual One Dublin One Book selection. 'At a time when most shows involve dragons, detectives, or existential dread, Leonard and Hungry Paul takes a slower route – through kindness, the quiet gravity of small things and the occasional game of backgammon,' said Andrew Chaplin, director of the six-part series. Adapted by writers Richie Conroy and Mark Hodkinson, the series is currently filming in Dublin. It was commissioned by Eddie Doyle, senior head of commissioning at BBC Northern Ireland. READ MORE [ 'I like the underdog thing': Meghann Fahy's rise from underestimated actor to Netflix's Sirens star Opens in new window ] 'This series is full of charm and poignant moments that encapsulate ordinary life,' Doyle said. 'With a stellar cast bringing this acclaimed novel to the screen, it will make an exciting addition to BBC Northern Ireland's offering this year.' Hession, who also reviews fiction for The Irish Times, has published two other novels, Panenka (2021), and his latest novel Ghost Mountain , which was released in 2024. 'It's a real privilege as a writer to see my work being brought to life in a different creative form,' he said.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Cast announced as production begins on Leonard and Hungry Paul, new comedy drama coming soon to BBC Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer
Filming has officially begun on the new 6x30 series Leonard and Hungry Paul, produced by independent production company Subotica for the BBC. The feel-good series - announced as part of the BBC Comedy Festival in Belfast - is currently filming in Dublin and is based on the award-winning, best-selling novel of the same name by Rónán Hession and adapted by writers Richie Conroy and Mark Hodkinson. The show boasts top tier cast including Alex Lawther (The End of the F***ing World, ALIEN: EARTH), Laurie Kynaston (Fool Me Once, Sandman) and Jamie-Lee O'Donnell (Derry Girls, Screw) and is directed by Andrew Chaplin. The story follows two unique board-gaming friends meandering through leafy suburban life, charting a story about Judo, ancient Rome, first loves, and the expansion of the Universe. The award winning director Andrew Chaplin (Alma's Not Normal, Smoggie Queens) says about the show: 'At a time when most shows involve dragons, detectives, or existential dread, Leonard and Hungry Paul takes a slower route - through kindness, the quiet gravity of small things, and the occasional game of backgammon. Proof that not all heroes shout - some just know when to stay quiet.' The writer of the novel Rónán Hession says: "I am delighted to see Leonard and Hungry Paul being adapted for the screen. It's a real privilege as a writer to see my work being brought to life in a different creative form." Eddie Doyle, Senior Head of Content Commissioning, BBC Northern Ireland, says: 'This series promises something special and is full of charm and poignant moments that encapsulate ordinary life. With a stellar cast bringing this acclaimed novel to the screen, it will make an exciting addition to BBC Northern Ireland's offering this year.' Leonard and Hungry Paul is a Subotica production for BBC Northern Ireland in association with BBC Comedy, Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland and RTÉ, and in co-production with UK independent Avalon who will distribute internationally. Filming will continue throughout May in Ireland. Executive Producers Tristan Orpen Lynch and Aoife O'Sullivan will oversee the show for Subotica, alongside in-house producer Natalie McAuley. The series was commissioned by Eddie Doyle, Senior Head of Commissioning, BBC Northern Ireland. Mary McKeagney and Emma Lawson are Commissioning Editors for the BBC, Adam Barth is Executive Producer for Avalon, Kate McColgan is Executive Producer for Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland and other Executive Producers include Wally Hall, David Harari, Morwin Schmookler, Ross Boucher. MM2
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC's Annual Julia Donaldson Christmas Animation Will Be ‘The Scarecrows' Wedding'; Rob Brydon, Jessie Buckley & Domhnall Glesson In Voice Cast
The annual BBC animated Christmas special this year will The Scarecrow's Wedding. As is the case every year, a Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler children's book will be adapted by Magic Light Pictures for broadcast on BBC One and streaming on BBC iPlayer. More from Deadline BBC Drama 'Mr Loverman' Lands U.S. Home At BritBox Laurie Kynaston, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell & Alex Lawther Leading Feel-Good Drama Series 'Leonard And Hungry Paul' For BBC & RTÉ BBC Studios Restructures Production Division With Formation Of Unscripted & Global Units The half-hour animated special will feature a voice cast including Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip), Jessie Buckley (Wicked Little Letters, Wild Rose), Domhnall Gleeson (About Time, Alice and Jack), with Sophie Okonedo (Slow Horses, Hotel Rwanda) as the Narrator. The story follows two devoted scarecrows, Betty O'Barley (Buckley) and Harry O'Hay (Gleeson), who are planning a wedding to remember. Per the synopsis: 'When Harry insists on leaving the farm to collect one last thing for their big day, a smooth-talking scarecrow named Reginald Rake (Brydon) swoops in with plans of his own. Chaos follows, and soon Betty's in danger and everything's at risk. Can Harry get back in time and save the day? Full of heart, humour and adventure, this is the joyful tale about loyalty, love and learning that the most important thing isn't a grand gesture – it's simply being together.' Directors are Samantha Cutler and Jeroen Jaspaert, with Barney Goodland and Micheal Rose of Magic Light Pictures the producers. The outgoing BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore and Nawfal Faizullah, BBC Drama Commissioning Editor, acquired the special. Donaldson's books have been the bedrock of the BBC's annual Christmas specials, with this being the 13th to be adapted. Last year's Tiddler took an audience of 7.3 million, which was the highest share for a Magic Light film since The Gruffalo in 2009. Her picture books remain among the most popular in the UK. It was recently announced she was writing a new 'Gruffalo' book, 21 years after the last one, 'The Gruffalo's Child', which was adapted by the BBC in 2011. 'The Scarecrows' Wedding is my favourite of all the books I've created with Axel Scheffler, so I'm extra specially pleased that it is to be this year's animated adaptation from Magic Light Pictures,' said Donaldson. 'It's a love story set on a farm by the sea, and the story contains a lot of comedy and a Hollywood-style villain. Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, added: 'We're incredibly proud of our enduring partnership with Julia, Axel and Magic Light Pictures, and can't wait to bring the Scarecrows' big day to millions of viewers across the UK this Christmas. Much like the wedding itself, this charming, funny and exquisitely animated adventure has all the perfect ingredients.' Best of Deadline Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds All The 'Mission: Impossible' Movies In Order - See Tom Cruise's 30-Year Journey As Ethan Hunt Denzel Washington's Career In Pictures: From 'Carbon Copy' To 'The Equalizer 3'
