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Graham Norton's ITV drama Holding: The plot, cast and release date

Photo credit: Conor Horgan - ITV
Photo credit: Conor Horgan - ITV

ITV has announced the cast for upcoming drama Holding, adapted by Kathy Burke from the best-selling novel of the same title by Graham Norton.

Derry Girls star Siobhan McSweeney, Academy award winning actress Brenda Fricker and Game of Thrones star Conleth Hill will lead the four-part series set in the insular fictional village of Duneen, West Cork, on the edge of Ireland.

The drama follows Conleth's disillusioned local police officer Sergeant PJ Collins, a gentle man who hides from people and fills his days with comfort food and half-hearted police work. He's described as one of life’s outsiders, lovable, but lonely and a bit rubbish at his job.

When the body of long-lost local legend Tommy Burke is discovered, PJ is called to solve a serious crime for the first time in his career. Discovering long buried secrets, PJ finally connects with the village he has tried so hard to avoid.

Here's everything else we know about the series...

The plot

Siobhan McSweeney, who also co-hosted Channel 4's hit competition series The Great Pottery Show Down, plays vulnerable, messy Bríd Riordan, who was due to marry local legend Tommy Burke before he disappeared.

Photo credit: Conor Horgan - ITV
Photo credit: Conor Horgan - ITV

When Tommy's body is discovered, police officer Sergeant PJ Collins (Conleth Hill) is tasked with solving his first ever serious crime.

Brenda Fricker takes the role of Lizzie Meany, a shy presence in PJ's life who has been battling her own demons and secrets as PJ comes to discover.

The cast

Game of Thrones star Conleth Hill, Derry Girls actress Siobhan McSweeney, Oscar winner Brenda Fricker, The Virtues actress Helen Behan, and Pauline McLynn lead the series.

The cast also includes Clinton Liberty (Normal People), Amy Conroy (The South Westerlies), Olwen Fouéré (Beast), Eleanor Tiernan (Bridget and Eamon), Gary Shelford (Belgravia), Lochlann Ó’Meárain (Smother), Sky Yang (Halo), Demi Issac Oviawe (The Young Offenders), Norma Sheahan (Bridget and Eamon), and Anne Kent (Fair City).

Calum Rea, Jane Spollen, Jim O’Donnell, Pat Kinevane, Karl Quinn, Michael Fry, Maria Connolly, Ian Brooker, Abhainn Harrington, Christopher Logan, Molly Logan, Terhas Gleeson, Ivet Corvea, Gary Murphy and Felix Brown complete the line-up.

Siobhán McSweeney said: "I cannot think of a better script in a better place with a better cast and crew. I’m in heaven being back in Cork."

Brenda Fricker added: "I am ecstatic to be part of this wonderful production, in beautiful Skibbereen, and finally not to be playing a mother! Mrs Meany is a bit of a dark horse. She has had a dreadful life but has retained her values, her friendships and most of all her sense of humour, keep a sharp eye on her."

The drama is directed by Kathy Burke, and filming is underway in west Cork.

Holding will air on ITV.

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