Irish actor Daryl McCormack has been cast alongside Ruth Wilson for the upcoming BBC drama The Woman in the Wall.
The BBC is producing a new series offering a fictional retelling of the harrowing story of Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries.
The six-part series will tell the story of Lorna Brady, a woman who was taken from her life aged 15 to live at the fictional Kilkinure Convent.
Trying to spread awareness across the UK about one of the worst scandals in Irish history, the series will give an insight into the infamous Magdalene Laundries.
A harrowing tale ‒ a fictional retelling of Ireland’s past
Joe Murtagh is the Creator and Executive Producer behind the new BBC series about Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries.
Speaking on his reasons for creating the gothic thriller, Murtagh said, “My family is from Mayo, the county in which the fictional Kilkinure is set.
“It deeply frustrates and saddens me that it feels so few people have heard of the Laundries that existed across Ireland.
“I hope that by making something that has the familiarity of a genre piece, we are able to shed some light on the awful things that occurred within these kinds of institutions.”
He also explained how he hopes to “introduce this history to the wider public so that nothing like it may ever happen again.”
Appealing to a wider audience ‒ the BBC’s new series about Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries
Murtagh hopes that creating a fictional piece about the real life history of Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries will appeal to a wider audience than a documentary.
Thus, in turn, will encourage viewers outside of Ireland to learn about this shocking scandal.
English actress Ruth Wilson, known for her roles in Mrs Wilson, The Affair, and Luther, stars as Lorna Brady. She also acts as Executive Producer on the upcoming series.
Speaking about the role, she said, “Lorna Brady is a complex and fascinating character. I’m thrilled to help bring her to life.
“In The Woman in the Wall, Joe has created both an enthralling gothic thriller. It is a moving examination of the legacy of The Magdalene Laundries. It’s a privilege to bring this story to screens.”
A must-watch ‒ a shocking and important tale
The six-part series produced by the BBC will bring modern-day viewers a fictional retelling of Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries.
Episode one opens with Lorna Brady waking up at home in the fictional town of Kilkinure. Shocked, she finds the corpse of a woman in her house.
Brady has no idea who the woman is or if she had any part to play in her death due to her ongoing bouts of sleepwalking.
Brady began sleepwalking during her incarceration at the Kilkinure Convent, where she was taken at the age of 15.
The convent is supposed to be one of the most notorious Magdalene Laundries in Ireland. Here, young women and girls were abused because of their so-called indiscretions.
The new series will show the impact these Magdalene Laundries had on women at this time. It will highlight how the trauma they endured followed them through their lives.
