FRESH ÉIRE
ADRIAN DUNBAR RETURNS FOR A SECOND SERIES OF THE TENSE IRISH FAMILY DRAMA…
We’re not ones for spoilers here, so we won’t ruin the big reveal of Irish drama Blood’s series one finale: suffice to say the second sees father of the brood Jim Hogan return to his family home in Kildaire after a year away, to be by the side of his ailing daughter Fiona – but does he truly know what’s going on with her? Inside TV caught up with Adrian Dunbar, who plays Jim, to find out what to expect…
“There’s a lot in episode one; it’s very exciting – it really draws you in,” he enthuses. “But it’s difficult to talk about because, rather like season one, the dénouement of this series is where things are revealed.”
While the actor is, of course, well-versed in secret-keeping thanks to his Line Of Duty experience, is it difficult to not give the game away?
“No, not really, because you don’t want to spoil things for people,” proffers Adrian. “But there’s enough in episode one to make you realise that there are five or six big storylines, and they can’t all be red herrings, so someone somewhere along the line is going to have to address them. And that all depends on who knows what.”
Where series one was very much Jim’s daughter Cat’s story, the focus this time is on his eldest, Fiona [Grainne Keenan]. “She’s the reason he’s there,” explains Adrian. “We’ve now turned the light on Fiona. Jim is there to support her, but he doesn’t really know what’s happening in her life – and I don’t think she wants to tell him. And then there’s Jim’s son-in-law, Paul [Ian Lloyd Anderson] – there are things going on there…”
Fortunately, for viewers who haven’t yet seen series one (and we highly recommend that you do), the fact that the second picks up 12 months on means that you can enjoy it as an independent piece.
“I’m glad they decided to do what is, in effect, a time jump – particularly when there’s been a long gap between one series and the next,” admits Adrian. “I think psychologically audiences tend to move on. So, yes, if you’ve seen series
EPISODE ONE IS VERY EXCITING, IT REALLY DRAWS YOU IN…”
one you get the benefit of knowing the characters, but this is a standalone series.”
And while the stoylines may be intense, Adrian admits that filming is great craic.
“It’s a bit of fun, really!” grins the star. “We’ve got a lovely cast, very nice settings, and some of the best catering that I’ve ever come across!”
Talking of locations, Adrian’s glad to be showing a side to Ireland not normally seen on TV.
“It’s usually the west coast, or Dublin, or Victorian this, that and the other, or Vikings!” notes the actor. “But here’s this rural area, with little canals running through it, big houses and rolling countryside: it’s a different vibe. I’m really keen that we do a series three… not least for the catering!