Can you tell us about Holding?
It’s a story set in a small sleepy town in rural West Cork and the Garda discovers the remains of a body. We then follow the people of the town as the drama unfolds.
What first attracted you to the project?
I was actually going to do another job, so I initially read the scripts reluctantly. But once I read them, I was like ‘oh man, I have to do this’. I knew the book was a bestseller but at that stage I hadn’t read it. There are such wonderful female characters throughout this story – flawed, messy, brilliant and funny.
Tell us about Evelyn
She’s so emotional, she’s so real, so flawed, so unpredictable – she’s everything. She’s not necessarily a sympathetic character but she is to me because I get her, she’s very spirited, she has many contradictions and I just think she’s brilliant.
Tommy Burke’s body is found at the beginning of the series, what was Evelyn’s connection to him?
Evelyn had a relationship with him when she was very young. I’d say it was a toxic kind of relationship. He has a huge part of her heart, for better or for worse, and had a huge part of Evelyn’s psyche growing up. I’d say Tommy is a big part of Evelyn’s problems.
What is Evelyn’s relationship like with Bríd?
The relationship with Bríd is really sad because they were really good friends and they let a boy come between them and they’ve let that ride, they’ve let that crack the cement. It’s sad because I think there’s big love running underneath, but it’s so painful to go there until the story unravels.
Does Evelyn know PJ?
There’s no relationship between those characters until the start of the show. He’s the Garda, he’s around but that’s it. Then they go on a journey together with everything that happens and by the end of the story there’s such a deep mutual understanding and shared past pain that they are much more in common they ever would have thought.
Would you say Evelyn goes on a journey in the story?
Yes, it’s huge. In a short space of time, she’s confronted with every demon from her past that’s she’s tried to bury for over 20 years. It’s like a real pandora’s box opening, a real purge and she goes through so much from the start of the show through to the end.
Do you have any ideas around the whodunnit?
Honestly, it could be anyone. There are so many people in the town with very valid motives to want Tommy dead.
What do you think viewers will enjoy about Holding?
I hope they respond to the humanity of it because the characters are such real people. It’s really funny, it’s really sad, really human and really relatable. The fact that it’s funny and sad I think there’s nothing more powerful than that, making you laugh and then punching you right in the gut, that’s life in all its ugliness, it’s humour and realness.
What’s it been like working with everyone?
It’s been so good. I love Kathy Burke, I was really excited to work with a director who was an actress, particularly in this where there are so many women because you just know that she’ll just get it and where you’re coming from.
Conleth I know really well because he’s my TV Dad in Vienna Blood so we have a shorthand which is just great. We’re pals outside of this so that’s a dream.
What’s it been like filming on location in West Cork?
I’ve never been to West Cork before, the location is stunning. The backdrop of every scene is exquisite, the locals have made us feel so welcome.
