I’d love a hurl lot of success in the States
RTE’S James ‘inspired’ by star Mescal
SMOTHER star James O’donoghue has revealed he hopes to follow fellow Irish actor Paul Mescal by making it big in America.
The 17-year-old, who plays Calum Dwyer in the hit TV drama, said he would like to travel to the States to pursue a career once he finishes school.
RTE’S Sunday night investigative thriller is set in a small town on the coast of Co Clare and has been a huge hit with viewers.
Dubliner James, also known for his role as Ben Fahey in Fair City, said: “I would love to head over to the States.
“I was actually born there so that’s always been the plan.
“Paul Mescal has been a huge inspiration going into this.”
James admitted it has been a challenge juggling school work and acting.
The fifth-year student said: “To be completely honest, I think I found it hard to put equal hours into both.
“I found it very hard to switch off from working and get back into school. It was hard for me to study.
“It was a big lesson for me in that the next time I am filming, I need to really think a lot about my education and career as they need to go hand-inhand.”
When it comes to female attention, James admitted he has been getting more since the whodunnit drama hit our screens.
He said: “There has definitely been an increase in attention.”
Meanwhile, Lochlann O Mearain, who plays Calum’s spiky dad Rory in the series, said he has been getting the opposite reaction.
He joked: “I was putting my bins out the other day and someone drove past and called me a bad word.”
Lochlann also revealed how it has been important to stay positive in the pandemic as acting work dried up.
He said: “Our lives just stop all the time. You are in a job and then it’s gone – you are constantly looking for work.
“These times will pass and the most important thing is to keep positive and healthy.
“There’s also a backlog of work from last year which is starting to catch up so there are an enormous amount of projects happening now.” ■ Smother is on RTE One at 9.30pm.
I was born in the US, it has always been my plan to go JAMES O’DONOGHUE YESTERDAY