Kate O’Riordan: The Bantry writer who penned RTÉ's major new drama series 

After previously being hands on for Mr Selfridge, the London-based author was delighted to return to Ireland to make Smother 

Smother: Niamh Walsh, Dervla Kirwan, Seána Kerslake and Gemma Leah Devereux.

There was a sense of life travelling full circle for Co Cork screenwriter and novelist Kate O’Riordan as cameras began rolling last year on the Lahinch, Co Clare, set of her new RTÉ thriller Smother. The mournfully beautiful coastal backdrop carried echoes of O’Riordan’s upbringing in Bantry, with its gorgeous views out over the harbour.

“From the time people started saying ‘yes we are interested in this, let’s see a script’ to actually going into production was probably six to eight months, which is incredible really,” says O’Riordan from her home in Twickenham in London. “I’ve done shows previously that were shot in Ireland but set in the UK. This is the first time I am absolutely able to beat my chest and say, ‘yes, my show is set in Ireland’.”