Domhnall Gleeson and British star Andrea Riseborough will play the lead roles in a new Channel 4 romantic drama, Alice & Jack, with Gleeson's fellow Irish actor Aisling Bea also among the cast.
Created and written by Mad Men's Victor Levin, the series follows Gleeson and Riseborough's characters from their first meeting in an "honest, intimate, and surprisingly funny" tale that shows "love in all its unexpected, technicolour, kaleidoscopic beauty", Channel 4 said.
Golden Globe nominee Gleeson and Oscar nominee Riseborough are both among the executive producers on the series.
The series will also feature Greatest Days star Bea, Sex Education's Aimee Lou Wood, and Stath Lets Flats star Sunil Patel in supporting roles.
Filming for Alice & Jack, which is billed as a "love story for the ages", took place in London, southeast England, and Gran Canaria in the summer of 2022, Channel 4 said.
Speaking before the actors' strike in the US, Gleeson said: "The only work I've wanted to watch and do since the pandemic is work about connection and love, and work with a sense of humour.
"Alice and Jack keep coming back to each other because they can't help themselves - they find in each other something that they don't have on their own.
"I think they're soulmates, I think it's bigger than just the two of them. Their story centres on connection and love in the most beautiful way and reminds us that we are always allowed to smile - even if it's through the tears."
New original drama Alice & Jack, starring Andrea Riseborough & Domhnall Gleeson, coming to Channel 4
— Channel 4 Press (@C4Press) August 10, 2023
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Speaking before the actors' strike in the US, Riseborough said: "We unite in yearning to see evidence of real love and, too, are soothed to share with one another the ache of its inevitable imperfection.
"This story is for anyone who could or couldn't make the sacrifice that love demanded, for anyone who battles and accepts the one who makes their soul soar, for anyone who longs to feel, who has felt, and who feels the tingling anticipation of love's joy."
Juho Kuosmanen, who co-wrote and directed 2021 Cannes Grand Prix co-winner Compartment 6, serves as lead director on the series.
Hong Khaou, who wrote and directed the BAFTA-nominated ITV drama series Lilting, directs the second block of the series.
Both Gleeson and Riseborough were "directly involved" with producer Groundswell Productions in the development of the series, Channel 4 said.
A broadcast date for Alice & Jack has yet to be announced.
Source: Press Association
