Magic and mayhem! Secret world
A schoolboy finds himself on an exciting adventure in an enchanting fantasy
ARTEMIS FOWL From Friday 12 June Disney+ Drama
For almost two decades, readers the world over have been captivated by the thrilling antics of young criminal genius Artemis Fowl in Eoin Colfer’s fantasy novels. Now, a new, one-off Disney+ drama brings that spectacular world to life.
Artemis Fowl, directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh, centres on super-smart but troublesome 12-year-old Artemis, played by newcomer Ferdia Shaw, who lives with his antiquities dealer father, Artemis Fowl Sr (Colin Farrell).
‘He has lots of tricks up his sleeve,’ says Ferdia. ‘But he’s often in a dilemma about the right thing to do.’
Artemis Sr has always told his son enchanting stories about fairies, but when he vanishes during a work trip, Artemis Jr discovers that the fairy world really exists and that his father has been kidnapped by a sinister figure who wants to get hold of the Aculos, the fairies’ most powerful magical device.
To rescue his father, Artemis hatches a plan to locate the Aculos that involves abducting Holly Short (Lara Mcdonnell), a spirited young officer with Leprecon, the fairy police force. Can Artemis and Holly eventually work together to save the human and fairy civilisations from destruction?
New friends
‘Artemis wants his dad back so he embarks on this mission,’ says Ferdia. ‘He contends with the fairy world but he and Holly become friends.’
Ferdia was delighted to work with Frozen’s Josh Gad, who plays giant
dwarf Mulch Diggums, another
of Artemis’s acquaintances, and Dame Judi Dench, who plays Holly’s boss, Commander Root.
‘Josh is so funny and Judi and I had a cool stand-off when Artemis meets Root,’ smiles Ferdia. ‘I was nervous but Judi’s so nice.’