RTÉ HAS COMMISSIONED a sequel to its 1916 drama Rebellion, it was confirmed this morning.

The War of Independence-era Resistance will go into production in the coming months.

The original drama, which starred Charlie Murphy and Brian Gleeson, was aired at the start of the year to mixed reviews – although ratings for the opening episodes were strong.

The national broadcaster announced over 65 home-produced programmes as part of its new schedule for RTÉ One and RTÉ 2 at a launch in Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.

The other drama offerings include a six-part thriller called Acceptable Risk and a four-part drama “about love, family and friendship in the world of Ireland’s legal system” titled Striking Out and starring Amy Huberman and Men Behaving Badly actor Neil Morrissey.

Factual 

The list of factual programmes for the new season includes the following (all descriptions, via RTÉ):

• Kenny: A landmark two-part documentary charting the rise, fall and rise again of Taoiseach Enda Kenny
• Keeping Ireland Alive: The health service in a day, with 75 cameras following frontline staff over a 24-hour period to give viewers an unprecedented, groundbreaking insight into a service that affects all our lives
• Rural Addiction: Tackling the growing problem of addiction sweeping rural Ireland
• Generation Jinxed – Generation F’D: A three part documentary revealing life for Ireland’s 25-35-year-olds, struggling to kickstart their adult lives
• Medication Nation with Dr Eva: One-off documentary from Dr Eva Orsmond on prescription pill addiction in Ireland
• John Connors: The Travellers: Actor John Connors on the history of the Travellers

Entertainment

Dancing with the Stars will be the main highlight in the entertainment category. Based along the lines of the Strictly Come Dancing format, it’s set to air in January. As yet, there are no indications as to what the lineup will look like.

Here’s what else we can expect in the entertainment field:

• The Tommy Tiernan Show: A six-part chat show with a difference – Tommy has no idea who he’ll be interviewing before they appear on stage
• The Nathan Carter Show: Four-part music-entertainment show hosted by Ireland’s favourite country star
• First Dates: The massively popular dating show returns with a supersized 12 episode series
• Daniel and Majella’s B&B Road Trip: The much-loved duo hit the road again with 12 new B&B owners serving up unforgettable experiences

Bridget & Eamon and The Rubberbandits will also return for the coming season, we’re told – as will Brendan O’Carroll’s Mrs Brown, with more Christmas special episodes.

In addition, Des Bishop will be hitting the road again. The comedian’s new show This is Ireland will “throw a wry eye over the issues that have exasperated the country for years,” apparently.

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