There's a different kind of collar for Love/Hate star Peter Coonan in his latest role - he's playing a priest in the new Irish film Aithrí/Penance, which is currently in production in Ramelton, Co Donegal and Derry City.
Directed and co-written by Tom Collins (An Bronntanas, Kings), Aithrí/Penance tells the story of Father Eoin O'Donnell, a firebrand who stirs up violent feelings in his parishioners in the run-up to the 1916 Rising.
Among those who come under O'Donnell's influence is teenager Antaine; 53 years later the two meet again in Derry where they try to come to terms with the past.
"I was attracted to this role primarily because of the challenge it posed but also because it was a chance to dive into the psyche of a man in 1916 Ireland," said Coonan. "The fact that it happens to be a priest is just another interesting layer that makes it a really exciting role for an actor."
Director Collins said he had wanted to work with Coonan for some time, having heard he was "one of Ireland's best actors". "It has been a great experience to see him delivering such powerful performances on Penance," he added.
Coonan will next be seen opposite Back to the Future's Crispin Glover, American Horror Story stars Alexandra Daddario and Taissa Farmiga and Captain America's Sebastian Stan in We Have Always Lived in the Castle.
Directed by Stacie Passon (Transparent), the film is based on author Shirley Jackson's acclaimed 1961 book of the same name. The gothic thriller, which was filmed in Dublin and Bray, has been produced by Michael Douglas' company Further Films. No release date is scheduled at present.
