Irish actors Anthony Boyle, Jessica Reynolds, Seamus O'Hara, and Oisín Thompson are to star in Channel 4's Close to Home, a four-part adaptation of the award-winning Michael Magee novel, produced by the Dublin-based Element Pictures (Normal People, Bugonia).
"Close to Home revels in the reckless decadence of youth and celebrates a generation growing up in the wake of The Troubles," said Channel 4, announcing the series.
It described the drama as a "striking tale of love, trauma, and finding your place in the scarred city you call home".
Listen: Michael Magee discusses Close to Home and his life growing up in Belfast on The Brendan O'Connor Show on RTÉ Radio 1 in April 2023
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"Close to Home tells the story of Sean (Anthony Boyle - Say Nothing, House of Guinness), a young man who finds himself back in Belfast," Channel 4 continued.
"Back from university and back into old habits.
"Back on the mad all-nighters, the borrowed tenners, and missing rent, the casual jobs that always fall through.
"Back with his brother, his ma, and all the things they never talk about.
"Back where the promised prosperity of peacetime has yet to arrive, and every street has a story to tell.
"One night, Sean assaults a stranger at a party and everything is tipped into chaos."
Jessica Reynolds (A Woman of Substance, Kneecap) plays Mairéad; Seamus O'Hara (House of Guinness, An Irish Goodbye) is Anthony, and Oisín Thompson (Trespasses, Titanic Sinks Tonight) plays Ryan.
Michael Magee's debut novel won the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature and the Nero Prize for Debut Fiction.
He has adapted his book for television, describing it as "an intensely fulfilling creative experience, a dream come true, really".
Gemma Boswell, Commissioner Editor for Channel 4, said: "It is a privilege to bring Mick's award-winning novel to Channel 4.
"Close to Home explores the emotionally rich landscape of West Belfast through the eyes of Sean, played by the fantastic Anthony Boyle.
"We're delighted to showcase Mick's beautiful writing with this timely and evocative story of a young generation finding their place in the world."
Filming on Close to Home will begin in Belfast this month with support from Northern Ireland Screen and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland.
The series will be directed by Diarmuid Goggins (Kin, Code of Silence).
