Earlier this year, Fís Eireann/Screen Ireland, the national agency responsible for the film, television and animation industry, announced plans to increase funding across TV production in a bid to help build and support the Irish TV drama sector. The agency also announced the first high-end episodic television drama projects funded by Screen Ireland, which included Element Pictures’ wildly successful Normal People directed by Lenny Abrahamson and Hettie MacDonald. The series has achieved outstanding critical acclaim and commercial success globally, breaking records to become the most successful series ever on both BBC3 and the RTÉ Player.
In an effort to increase their commitment to funding television production across live-action and animation, Screen Ireland is now delighted to announce the appointment of Andrew Byrne to the Production and Development team in the newly created role of TV Project Manager.
Screen Ireland supports TV drama series and animation originated and creatively led by Irish directors, writers, and producers, to create indigenous content aimed at both Irish audiences and the international marketplace. Screen Ireland aims to drive the expansion of the indigenous TV drama and animation sector providing opportunities for Irish talent to develop both creatively and professionally. Ireland is a recognised leader globally in TV animation with millions of children around the world watching Irish award-winning animated TV shows. Screen Ireland is the largest investor in Irish animation content in Ireland and has supported a wide number of successful animated TV series including Puffin Rock, The Day Henry Met, Becca’s Bunch, and Little Roy.
In his new role, Andrew will work across TV drama and TV animation projects supported by Screen Ireland, from initial concept and development stage through to production. Andrew joins Screen Ireland with in-depth experience across the editorial and strategic development of scripted content for the television production sector.
Screen Ireland remains committed to supporting the continued growth of Irish high-end TV drama and animation that engages audiences worldwide. We are delighted to welcome Andrew Byrne, who brings in-depth knowledge and extensive TV experience, to this newly created role supporting Irish creative talent across TV development and production.
Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive – Screen Ireland
I am very much looking forward to working with the entire team at Screen Ireland in this new key role. We will continue to evolve the supports available to the industry, building on the increased success of the animation and drama sectors to date and introducing an ever diverse and inclusive mix of new talent, artistry and storytelling to Irish and International audiences.
Andrew Byrne
Andrew has over 15 years of experience at Virgin Media Television and 5 years as Head of Commissioning for the broadcaster, commissioning some of the most successful and globally recognised Irish TV projects including returning award-winning dramas Blood (starring Adrian Dunbar, winner of the Writer’s Guild UK Award for Best Longform Drama and sold in 60+ territories), Red Rock (VMTV, BBC, Amazon Prime) and most recently Lisa Mc Gee’s exciting new psychological thriller The Deceived (airing on VMTV and Channel 5 in Autumn 2020).
He has also supported and helped establish a significant slate of Irish features & documentaries including My Name is Emily, A Date for Mad Mary, Black ’47, and Cardboard Gangsters – alongside hybrid docu-drama “Trial of the Century” and most recently the ground-breaking series The Guards – Inside the K.
Andrew is also committed to a diverse slate of Irish stories and creativity on-screen that supports new emerging talent (VM Discovers Short Film Competition – Winner Innocent Boy & Irish Student Short Film Seasons) and enables new platforms to an array of diverse voices and skillsets.