The BBC has shared a first-look at Gaelic murder mystery drama An t-Eilean, expected to air next year.
In an exciting move for the broadcaster, An t-Eilean (The Island) will be its first-ever high-end Gaelic drama, featuring dialogue in the Celtic language and English.
Set against the backdrop of the Western Isles of Scotland, the four-part drama stars Sorcha Groundsell as protagonist Kat Crichton, a young Family Liaison Officer who's tasked to investigate the brutal murder of the wife of a local tycoon.
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Industry's Sagar Radia plays Kat's boss, DCI Ahmed Halim. The murder investigation takes place on the island of Lewis and Harris, which bears a mysterious connection to Kat as she fled it ten years prior.
Cast for the show is rounded out by Outlander's Sinéad MacInnes as Eilidh, Andrew Macinnes as Calum, Meredith Brook as Sìne and Sam James Smith as Ruaraidh.
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Daibhidh Walker, Sharyn Ferguson, Carina MacLeod, Tormod Macleòid, MJ Deans, Iain 'Spanish' Mackay and Julia Taudevin also star.
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Speaking on Gaelic getting mainstream recognition, Groundsell called An t-Eilean, set to make the air in early 2025, a "watershed moment" for indigenous languages in entertainment.
"This feels like a watershed moment for Gaelic," she said in a statement.
"Across the world, we are seeing indigenous languages step confidently out from the shadows to enjoy the recognition they deserve. I see our show as part of that wider movement; a celebration of all that makes us unique."
"Working on An t-Eilean has been a privilege and a joy. I'm so proud to have been part of a production that is pioneering these new horizons for Gaelic and showcasing the beauty, creativity and depth our language brings to the world."
"Being part of An t-Eilean has been an exciting experience for me," Radia echoed his co-star's feelings.
"The show really allowed us to showcase the beauty of Gaelic culture and language in a way that feels authentic – it's about bringing the islands' rich history to life for viewers, and I’m so proud to be part of that."
An t-Eilean will premiere in early 2025 on BBC ALBA, BBC iPlayer and BBC Four.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
