Charlie (TV series)

Charlie is a historical drama mini-series broadcast on RTÉ Television. The show premiered on 4 January 2015 at 21:30 on RTÉ One and on RTÉ Player.^[1] The show depicts the central figure of Irish politics in the 1980s, Charles Haughey. This drama is based on real events, exploring the emergence of modern Ireland through the rise and fall of Charles Haughey.^[2]

Charlie
Genre	Drama
Based on	Charlie Haughey
Written by	Colin Teevan
Directed by	Kenneth Glenaan
Starring	Aidan Gillen Tom Vaughan-Lawlor Peter O'Meara Lucy Cohu Risteard Cooper Gavin O'Connor Fíonna Hewitt Twamley
Country of origin	Ireland
Original language	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	3
Production
Cinematography	Peter Robertson
Editor	Nathan Nugent
Running time	72 minutes
Production companies	Touchpaper Television Element Pictures
Original release
Network	RTÉ
Release	January 4 (2015-01-04) – January 18, 2015 (2015-01-18)

Plot

The drama is set in democratic Ireland in the late 1970s. Charlie Haughey is the Taoiseach of Ireland, (portrayed by Aidan Gillen) and his loyal servant, P.J Mara (portrayed by Tom Vaughan-Lawlor). The main focus of the drama is on Haughey and his circle, and the drama largely remains true to life while capturing the excitement and menace that was in the air.^[3]

Cast

• Aidan Gillen as Charles Haughey
• Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as P. J. Mara
• Lucy Cohu as Terry Keane
• Peter O'Meara as Brian Lenihan Snr
• Risteárd Cooper as Dermot Nally
• Gavin O'Connor as Seán Doherty
• Marcus Lamb as Des O'Malley
• Edward MacLiam as Ray McSharry
• Peter Gowen as George Colley
• Frankie McCafferty as Des Traynor
• Fergal McElherron as Albert Reynolds
• John Connors as Jimmy
• Jody O'Neill as Geraldine Kennedy
• Rory Nolan as Charlie McCreevy
• Gus McDonagh as Bertie Ahern
• Sinead Watters as Jacinta
• Frances Tomelty as Sarah Haughey
• Laurence Kinlan as Tony Gregory
• Andrew Stanley as Gallagher
• David Herlihy as Ray Burke
• Fíonna Hewitt Twamley as Philomena

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	"Rise"	Kenneth Glenaan	Colin Teevan	January 4, 2015 (2015-01-04)
Charlie looks to get approval within the Fianna Fáil party as he goes up against party leader Jack Lynch for leadership.
2	"GUBU"	Kenneth Glenaan	Colin Teevan	January 11, 2015 (2015-01-11)
3	"Fall"	Charlie McCarthy	Colin Teevan	January 18, 2015 (2015-01-18)

References

1. "RTÉ One's new drama Charlie to air on 4 January 2015". RTE Press Pack. 4 December 2014. Archived from the original on 6 January 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
2. "Charlie: First Review". Irish Independent. 4 January 2015. Archived from the original on 6 January 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
3. "So after all the hype was episode one of Charlie actually any good". The Journal. 5 January 2015. Archived from the original on 6 January 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2015.