Wendy Patterson, a hotshot TV producer in Los Angeles, finds herself returning to her hometown of Drumbán, Ireland after more than 20 years, having left under something of a cloud.

Back in the chaotic microcosm of Drumbán, this time with a film crew in tow, Wendy is soon caught between her past and her epic new production.

Soon she runs into her ex, Séamus Proctor, the local doctor and a respected pillar of the community. Moving on from Wendy, Séamus now has a neat and well-ordered life, complete with loving wife and children… or at least he thinks he does.

Soon he will find himself in the eye of a storm as the production team descends on Drumbán, with their presence threatening to blow open a secret he has been harbouring since the turn of the Millennium.

What exactly is he hiding? And why, exactly, are birds continuing to drop dead in the sky around him?

Here are the key characters in the series, and who plays them.

Played by: Christina Hendricks (Tin Star, Good Girls)

A hometown girl made good as a Hollywood executive who returns to ‘save’ Drumbán, a struggling Irish border town, by choosing it as the primary location for her television series ‘I Am Celt’ - a big budget, streamer-friendly fantasy that plays fast and loose with Irish History and Celtic Mythology.

After her parents’ divorce, Wendy and her mum moved to America. Wendy grew up spending every summer at her father’s rectory, but left Ireland for good at the age of 18 under something of a cloud. She ran to London, Dubai, then ended up in LA, where she has spent the last decade climbing the corporate media ladder.

Despite being a high-functioning emotional mess, Wendy can’t run from the sting of a teenage betrayal from Séamus – now the local doctor in Drumbán. For Wendy, the prospect of coming home is daunting, but necessary.

Played by: Paddy Considine (House of the Dragon,, Hot Fuzz)

Drumbán’s trusted local GP, Séamus (or ‘Shamey’ to friends and loved ones) is a pillar of the community and Wendy’s old flame.

He coaches youth Gaelic football, makes house calls to his elderly patients, and is on the Committee to Bring Filming to Drumbán.

When he isn’t seeing patients at the surgery next to his house, he’s trying to pretend his family isn’t crumbling. His wife Catherine is cheating on him, his son Sonny has just dropped out of medical school, and his daughter Joanne is itching for a bit of rebellion and might just find it when Hollywood comes to town.

Séamus has heart and wit but can also be naive. He loves his wife but has gradually come to terms that she doesn’t feel the same. He’s an incredible trombone player, but he doesn’t know why.

Played by: Eileen Walsh (The South Westerlies, Catastrophe)

Catherine is smart and dry, quick to teach but slow to learn. As a secondary school History teacher, she takes issue with the show’s shaky ‘creative license’ with Celtic Folklore and especially the mysterious red-headed TV producer who has a secret history with her husband.

Catherine is married to Séamus Proctor, a man whom she believes has failed much of his early promise. The relationship is on the skids but neither will admit it. She’s been in a wheelchair for ten years, but that’s never gotten in her way. The car accident that led to her situation is a closely guarded secret in the town. Or at least it was until Wendy came seeking revenge against Séamus.

She resents Séamus for his role in the accident. For such a straight-shooting woman, Catherine’s personal life is built on shaky foundations.

Played by: Patrick Martins (Redemption, Northern Lights)

‘I Am Celt’ Assistant Locations Scout. Jules just wants to do the best he can and someday attend the BAFTAs. Jules enthusiastically and earnestly gives his best effort – too earnestly for the taste of the Drumbán locals.

He quit his job at the Dublin Zoo after reading and loving “Am I Celt?”, the novel upon which Wendy’s TV series ‘I am Celt’ is based. Now, he’s the fella you call when a production truck is parked in front of your driveway.

Played by: David Rawle (Moone Boy, Drop Dead Weird)

The story of the prodigal son told backwards. Sonny flew through his teens with the relentless promise of greatness. That sensation has mellowed since he ditched his University Medical course and moved back home. Been nearly a year now. Feels like two.

Sonny is filling in for the receptionist at his Dad’s surgery. It’s just maternity leave cover, but Séamus is convinced keeping his son around will reignite his love of medicine.

If you asked Sonny, he’s not sure he’s fit to join the long line of ‘Proctor Doctors’ like Séamus and Séamus’ father before him.He’d rather spend his time flirting with Shelly McGoldrick behind the White Ridge bar.

Played by: Leia Murphy (Video Nasty, Fair City)

Séamus & Catherine’s brilliant 17 going on 18-year-old daughter. She’s one of those annoying people who seems to get on really well with everyone. Not fake, not needy, funny and talented. She’s studious, curious and looking for a bit of the spotlight.

Joanne will find herself caught up in her parents’ drama, which pushes her down an ill-advised road.

Played by: David Wilmot (Anna Karenina, Bodkin)

The maddest man to ever run a petrol station. Keith set up the Committee to Bring Filming to Drumbán because his village has had a rough time of it with the recession, the magnet mine closing and the abundance of nettles keeping the tourists away.

He’ll stop at nothing to compete with the lovely people of Boyle. Let’s just hope his unsanctioned antics don’t get back to Wendy.

Played by: Sam C. Wilson (Dodger, Funny Woman)

Former strongman and current face of Big Jim’s Gyms; He’s a gentle giant with something to prove. Big Jim is tired of feeling like a glorified mascot for a discount gym chain and is looking for a chance at the big time, which is why he auditions for the lead part of ‘An Dagda, the God of Agriculture (and Fertility!)’ in ‘I am Celt.’

After Wendy decides to give Big Jim his shot, he strives to overcome imposter syndrome, problematic rewrites, and a handsy co-star to make his complicated family proud.

Played by: Evanne Kilgallon (Obituary)

Shelly works behind the bar at The White Ridge Bar, Drumbán’s one and only pub. Being the daughter of a pub owner is a thankless task.

The minimum wage doesn’t exist in a family business. She has had to grow up tough and fast. But running a pub, you become privy to all the local secrets and goings on. For better and for worse, Shelly knows it all.

Played by: Andrew Bennett (The Quiet Girl, Blackshore)

Sheep farmer and Séamus Proctor’s best friend (of sorts) Barry lives with his mammy, Betty, and it shows.

He knows a thing or two about how lonely the life of a farmer can be. That’s probably why he seeks companionship on the GAA pitch, not that he was asked to join.

Barry means well, even when it comes out all wrong. The Committee agrees he has a dull and mumbly voice, but still, Barry will lean on his friends to get him through some hard times.

Played by: Chris O’Dowd (The IT Crowd, Moone Boy)

Jack E.’s name may be on the cover of the ‘I Am Celt’ novel, but whether he wrote it will come into question, to Wendy’s dismay.

Now his chickens are coming home to roost. God, he’d love a roast. And maybe a sherry, a little one.

A very charming liar, but give him a feckin’ break, he’s a victim of cancel culture.

Played by: Peter McGann (Vultures, Republic of Telly)

Matt is the Maths teacher at the school and Catherine’s secret lover. He doesn’t bring much to the Committee other than being a BIG FAN of television.

When he isn’t having stressful time with Catherine in the supply closet, he’ll find himself front row to the Proctor family’s domestic strife. Grab your popcorn and enjoy the show.

Played by: Michèle Forbes

Barbara the Butcher. Barbara always has the inside scoop for her fellow Committee members, and in this case, on the mysterious producer lady of ‘I am Celt’.

Barbara is unsure what to make of the Hollywood circus when it finally rolls into town, but time will tell if they’re friend or foe. Her hands may be streaked with pig’s blood, but it’s proper pig’s blood.