BBC dramas to bring €11m into Irish economy

'Ripper Street' is an eight-part TV series focusing on the aftermath of the Jack the Ripper murders in the East End of London. It will be produced in Dublin by Tiger Aspect, Lookout Point and Element Pictures for BBC over a period of 19 weeks.

“The project is set to invest €8m in the Irish economy and will lead to local job creation and spend on goods and services in this market,” said James Hickey, chief executive of the Irish Film Board (IFB). “Over 250 Irish cast and crew will be employed in the production of 'Ripper Street'." 

The second BBC project currently in pre-production is the drama 'Vexed,' which received funding from the IFB and is directed by Irish directors Kieron J Walsh and Ian Fitzgibbon. “The series will invest €3m in the Irish economy in terms of local spend and will employ 100 Irish cast and crew,” said Hickey. “These projects demonstrate the huge contribution the industry is making to the Irish economy and is similar in scale to recent international film and television co-productions such as 'Titanic: Blood And Steel', 'Ek Tha Tiger' and 'Shadow Dancer', all of which provided employment for Irish cast and crew working in Ireland.”

Hickey was speaking last night as the IFB launched a catalogue of 18 upcoming feature films and set out its priorities and plans for the year ahead.

“IFB-funded productions created opportunities for a wide range of Irish creative talent in 2011 and continues to punch above its weight in terms of international recognition,” he said. “In the next 12 months we plan to build on last year’s success, further developing the audiovisual production industry.

“By fostering new talent to help secure the future of the industry, strengthening relationships with broadcasters and industry stakeholders while also increasing audiences both at home and abroad, we plan to put in place the key building blocks of the Creative Capital report and commence the process of doubling employment in the sector over the next five years.

“Irish film has a vital role to play in the economic recovery efforts, not only in terms of employment creation and contributions to the economy but also through its ability to showcase Ireland and its creative talent on screens all across the world. The industry has a huge influence on the promotion of Ireland and Irish culture to audiences all over the world with 20pc of visitors to Ireland stating that film and television influenced them in their decision to visit this country.”

The new IFB Production Catalogue can be downloaded at www.irishfilmboard.ie.