The makers and stars of the new Netflix series Bodkin have released a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the dark comedy, which they say is "not a timid version of Ireland".
The Ireland-filmed TV show, the first scripted TV series from Barack and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground production company, was filmed in West Cork, Wicklow and Dublin and is about "what making a true crime podcast might be like", creator and co-showrunner Jez Scharf said.
The series, which consists of seven one-hour-long episodes, is about a motley crew of podcasters (Will Forte, Siobhán Cullen, Robyn Cara) who set out to investigate the mysterious disappearance of three strangers in a coastal Irish town.
Once they start unravelling the mystery, they discover a story much bigger and weirder than they could ever have imagined.
American actor Will Forte complimented the "beautiful locations that only Ireland can provide" and said his character, the podcaster Gilbert, comes to Ireland "excited for this mystery".
Speaking about the show's central characters Dublin star Siobhán Cullen, who plays Dove, said: "He's [Gilbert] followed by research assistant Emmy (Robyn Cara) and investigative journalist called Dove who kind of looks down on podcasting in general. They unearth a whole lot more than what they initially set out to."
Cara added: "As soon as they start to look around them, secrets start to unravel".
Creator Scharf said of the plot: "Gilbert and Emmy want the Irish experience, the beautiful landscapes and the friendly locals and Dove can see that Bodkin isn't a postcard, it's a real place with real people.
"Stories are never as simple as they seem, people are never as simple as they seem. At every turn, your expectation is slightly pulled from under you."
The Young Offenders actor Chris Walley, who plays Sean on the series, added his take on the story: "Everyone has skeletons in their closet and things they don't want to come out, and when someone starts digging for them, people don't take too kindly to it."
David Wilmot, who plays Seamus, said of the fictional town where the series is set: "Bodkin is definitely littered with quite eccentric, fun people. It's not a timid version of Ireland."
Cullen added of the show: "It's hard to predict, you're always on your toes and you're kept guessing to the end of the series."
Bodkin was filmed in various locations across Ireland including Union Hall Village, Drumadoon Pier, Poulgorm Bridge and Glandore in West Cork; Ardmore Studios, Belmont Demesne, Carnegie Library - Enniskerry, Sallygap and Travelahawk Beach in Wicklow; Fenian Street, Howth Village, Howth Castle and Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin; and Dave's Diner in Julianstown, Co Meath.
Take a look at some behind-the-scenes photos from the filming of Bodkin below.
Barack and Michelle Obama served as executive producers on the project alongside Tonia Davis, Nne Ebong, David Flynn and Paul Lee, while Nash Edgerton is the lead director.
All seven episodes of Bodkin drop on Netflix on 9 May.
