The season finale of Showkids hits your screens this Sunday at 5.10pm on RTÉ One, so we caught up with Killian Sundermann who stars as dad Con, who stars alongside on-screen partner Philippa Dunne in the family drama. You can watch the first episode in full on RTÉ Kids YouTube above.
Killian stars as Dad Con, so we asked him how much he has in common with the character...
"Surprisingly a lot. The thing I love with Con's character is how he mirrors many of Sam's issues and they both sort of journey together over the course of the series. Con is a goofy, well-meaning guy who can be blissfully unaware of the correct social etiquette in various scenarios which is the root of a lot of his comedy. That's where a lot of my comedy comes from too.
"This lands him in trouble sometimes but he is ultimately a very well-meaning man and a good Dad (even when giving TERRIBLE advice). Trying his best, as we all are."
The social media star is best known for comedy and, while there is a lot of funny bits, the show is a bit more on the dramatic side. Was this a change for him?
"I've worked on short films before and done some dramatic work but the vast majority of course has been comedy focused. I would say that was the approach with Showkids as well, it's a comedy but it has a very nice big heart to it. The heart aspect was new to me, I don't add catharsis and drama in my sketches because it's social media and I only have 15 seconds (if I'm lucky).
"Showkids was in very safe hands with the brilliant cast of actors and Hugh, Shane and Amy's excellent writing. It was an amazing experience."
Showkids is packed with great talent including a soon-to-be global star in Flynn Gray. He is filming the new Star Wars movie Starfighter right now, and he is is in the lead role as Sam. Comedy legend Ardal O'Hanlon stars as Granpa Charley, Line of Duty's Amy De Bhrún is Miss Bethany Jessop and lots more familiar faces.
So, what was it like making the show with that amazing cast?
"Very fun, Hugh is an absolute legend and I've been a big Diet of Worms fan for years so I was really excited to work on the project but what really blew me away was the cast of kids. They were just so talented and fun to work with. Real professionals. Kept us all on our toes. It was such a joy to act with them."
Your character Con went viral with epic an fail - have you ever had any?
"I regularly post photos and videos of my baking onto social media and the feedback has been...tepid at best."
Here's the story
See the world through the eyes of 12-year-old Sam Curtain, whose constant daydreaming is starting to cause mayhem in his life. When his parents stumble across Miss Jessop's, they wonder if drama might be the perfect way to harness Sam's imagination?
Sam soon finds he's discovered his tribe - other kids with equally vivid imaginations, inspired by Miss Jessop to use drama to help solve the problems they're experiencing in their own lives. As well as experiencing his first, terrifying taste of showbiz, Sam has finally found somewhere he is free to let his imagination run wild - but this time, with a purpose!
