Northern Lights | The Acclaimed Irish Series Is Coming To MGM+ On Monday
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Carl Roberts 
Original Drama Northern Lights produced by Deadpan Pictures, Lionsgate and Screen Ireland stars Stephen Jones, Elva Trill, Jay Duffy and Jennifer Heylen
The critically acclaimed series Northern Lights will be available on MGM+ in the UK from Monday 20th May. Produced by Deadpan Pictures in association with Screen Ireland, the Irish original drama stars Stephen Jones, Elva Trill and Jay Duffy in their lead roles. The six-part series earned four nominations at this year’s Irish Film & Television Awards, including for Best TV Drama and Best Script.
The beautifully poetic images released from the series shine a light on the topics of grief and human connection. The drama explores joy, the power of hope, and humour in the face of adversity. Penned by playwright and actor Stephen Jones, “Northern Lights” marks his screenwriting debut. Jones, known for his roles in “Love/Hate,” “KIN,” and “Red Rock,” stars as the irrepressibly optimistic Lloyd. A man whose life is in turmoil due to a tragic event that threatens to dismantle his previously content existence.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
Since airing in late 2023 in Ireland, Germany and Belgium, the series has earned critical acclaim. The Irish Mail on Sunday gave a five-star review. The Irish Sunday Times called it a “smartly directed and richly atmospheric, retaining an authentic sense of place” with “the script lively and full of funny riffs.” RTE Guide called the show a “compelling new drama”.
Evangelische Zeitung described how “Jones’ scripts are masterfully written and carried by excellent actors”. While Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung called the show “touchingly beautiful”.
Serienjunkies found the series to be “highly emotional, performed sensitively and rousingly by the main actors. The series naturally thrives on Stephen Jones and Elva Trill’s performances, which are actually excellent in every respect. Anyone who has a thing for stories that feel like they were taken from life will be thrilled by Northern Lights”.
STEPHEN JONES
Talking about the series, Stephen Jones said,
“As a proud Dubliner, I’ve always wanted to tell stories of this beautiful city and everyday characters living extraordinary lives. We meet Lloyd at a point in his life where everything seems to be spiralling and he is looking for a light in the darkness; something he finds in his unlikely friendship with Áine. It is a truly hopeful series, and I am absolutely delighted with how it turned out, it is a dream come true!”
ELVA TRILL
Award-winning actress and Silgo native, Elva Trill (Line of Duty, Ripper Street, Jurassic World: Dominion, Starstruck) stars alongside Stephen in the series as strongminded Áine. Who seeks solitude as she struggles to navigate her grief and cope with her own feelings of loss. Elva Trill, who was nominated for a 2024 Irish Film & Television Award for her portrayal of Aíne in the series, said,
“Northern Lights is such an emotionally powerful tale which I think is captured beautifully in this first look. The series is a wonderful rollercoaster of complex feelings as we learn how Aine and Lloyd cope with their own struggles and discover that not everyone’s journey through grief is the same. It was a real privilege to work on something so character driven and I’m really proud to be representing Ireland in this series.”
JAY DUFFY
Rising Irish star, Jay Duffy (Derry Girls, The Wheel of Time) rounds out the leading lineup by taking up the role of Seán. A young man suffering from his own mental health issues while trying to balance his relationship with Áine.
Reflecting on his character Jay said
“It has been an honour to deep dive into such a complex character with Seán. We took great care to present a nuanced and realistic portrayal of his mental health struggles and I hope audiences appreciate the show’s emotional depth while finding an uplifting message of hope in the series.”
THE STORY
Northern Lights also features a strong supporting cast lineup including emerging talent Jennifer Heylen (The Pod Generation, Noise) who plays Lloyd’s estranged partner, Denise, who moved from Belgium to Ireland before falling in love with Lloyd. Denise McCormack (The Black Guelph, Kin, Deadly Cuts) takes up the role of Sandra. Don Wycherley (Father Ted, Wild Mountain Thyme, Flora and Son) plays Paul. Kevin McGahern (Clear History, Hady Bucks) is Tony. And Eoin Duffy (The Dry, Pixie, Big Boys, Deadly Cuts) plays Liam.
Set in Dublin North City Centre’s Capel Street and Northside Quays, Northern Lights tells the story of two grieving strangers, Lloyd (Stephen Jones) and Áine (Elva Trill), whose worlds collide when Lloyd notices Áine standing on Grattan Bridge. Fearing the worst, he decides to intervene. A series of revelations, confessions, secrets and lies follow leading to Lloyd and Áine becoming beacons of light for one another when they need it most. Negotiating the obvious gender politics and initial awkwardness of meeting in such unusual circumstances.
FRIENDSHIP
As Lloyd and Aíne’s friendship develops, the show deals with the stories of their respective partners, Seán (Jay Duffy) and Denise (Jennifer Heylen). It soon becomes apparent that both are dealing with major grief and tragedy. Honest and heartfelt with moments of disarming humour and joy. Northern Lights explores how resilient people can be in the face of tragedy and is ultimately a story about hope.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Northern Lights is adapted from the original stage play by Stephen Jones. And produced by Deadpan Pictures in association with Lionsgate and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland. In co-production with ZDFneo & TG4. With the Support of Investment Incentives for the Irish Film Industry provided by the Government of Ireland. The Tax Shelter of the Belgian Federal Government. The Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF) of the Government of Flanders and Screen Flanders.
Northern Lights will premiere exclusively on MGM+ from Monday 20th May.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
