Three new police officers are in their probation period with the PSNI and the odds are at least one of them isnt going to last. I think there is something unique and refreshing about it. I was shaking so much I couldnt finish my shift so they sent me home. The pressure is immense, but if they succumb to it, they wont survive. Invalid Date. Blue Lights is an ensemble piece primarily about three rookie cops and their various mentors. I think that decision is hugely informed by the job she used to do and the frustrations of working in that environment. I had never visited Belfast until filming, so I didnt really know what to expect when I first arrived. What research did you conduct to help you create the story and how crucial was this research in developing the authenticity of the story? But I also relate to her softer side too. Theres not a lot of main stream shows set in Northern Ireland, its about time, I like this decentralisation of tv around the UK. | Why did you want to tell the story of three new recruits? They dont have children and because of that he basically adopts Tommy. On set we had an ex RUC/PSNI officer as our advisor, which was such a gift. The confidence and the ability to do the job is in Tommy from the start but he just needed a strong figure like Gerry to bring it out of him, to guide him through and make him streetwise. There is always work to be done, it is surprising how much paperwork there is to do. You can really see that come together in these scripts. Often the rookie officers dont know the extent of the peril they are in, or who they can trust. Whats it like to have to hide your job from neighbours, friends and even family? We have survived a lot and I believe Declan and Adam really captured that in some of the characters Gerry being one of those. Adam:As journalists, in our previous lives we discovered the world is fascinating and thats where our addiction to research comes from. He has none of the cultural references that I have so that element of the script is entirely authentic. As a nation we survived all that we went through with a sense of humour, strength and fortitude. There simply wasn't time for Rozon to appear on both shows. Here Are the Most Searched Stars of the Week, Make your IMDb page stand out by adding a demo reel. By this point,he was dating a conservationist named Tennessee (Sarah Power). Some of the people we meet in the show are doing bad things but hopefully with the way weve written the characters you spend enough time with them to see that its not just good and bad. Meta launches Threads early with millions of signups already, Glenn's Weekly Motivational-Be More Like Me. Official Sites Hes an introverted extrovert and keeps his private life very much to himself. Adam: As with any other profession where you are a trainee you might be in a college environment or a learning institution but with the police force after an initial training period you suddenly find yourself on the street, with a gun, and it begs the question: how do normal people deal with that? Annie is very impulsive as a character and she goes from zero to a hundred really quickly. I grew up with a member of the family in the prison service so there was always a gun nearby with all the security measures that came with that. Hes been around a long time and watched all of these guys arrive and watched a lot of people go as well. 1 day ago Our Taylor Ticket Tag Winners are Excited to See Taylor Swift in Pittsburgh On Thursday, we played Taylor Ticket Tag at 7am, 9am and 5pm! For me I think shes about the job rather than the career which is different to others around her. When the show was hosted by Ty Pennington, his famous phrase was "Driver, move that ___" when revealing the Home Makeover. "Non Denominational" follows Pastor Jamie and Liturgical Minister Elijah's non denominational church: Society of the Children of the Natural Earth (SCONE). In the end they put it on the car stereo and let it play at the end of the scene. The first audition was really amazing and I got a sense that we had really hit it off. How does telling the story through the POV of three rookie officers add to the drama? They can expect to see a show thats been influenced by the very best of police dramas in the last 20 years but retains its own character throughout and will help redefine the north of Ireland for them. In terms of personal security, I was taken back by how severe it has to be at times. Shes brave, grounded and will engage with what is going on around her. Its really a story about relationships, in this very particular and unique set of circumstances and what they have to deal with on a day to day basis, that perhaps officers in different areas might not have to deal with. Who is Jen Robinson and how does she fit into the story? Belfast is a city where people have seen the absolute worst of times so gallows humour is very much a local skill set, were very good at that. With Producer Matt writing all 5 questions, Jen got FIVE RIGHT! What did you learn about the practicalities of being a PSNI officer? PART OF AUDACY MUSIC. I spent weeks with the production designer and location manager visiting police stations around Northern Ireland trying to understand the unique situation in NI but there was no other way to make the show without this kind of level of detail. I listened to a lot of podcasts and interviews and re-read the script a thousand times too. Its a slice of life of these absolutely normal people doing extraordinary things. 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. I really liked the intelligence behind the writing. Best phone call Ive had in my life and one call Ill never forget, especially with my Mum and Dad being there too. Hes a gift for an actor. Writers, artists, actors, musicians all have this indomitable sense of humour and that can also be said for people from the south of Ireland too. The former-police advisors said their main job was to look out for the community and to help them any way they can. Annie may think she has all the answers but shes still so young and nave at times. | PART OF AUDACY MUSIC. This was the surprising thing, crime doesnt happen non-stop. I loved the relationship that quickly develops between Grace and Stevie. Did you do any specific research into the part? Declan:There is something redemptive in this show. It feels like were meeting the city for the first time even though people think they know Belfast. Nobody is just one characteristic. THIS WEEKEND SEE. A man that lives the kind of life he leads has to hate himself to a point. It felt so odd to hold a gun. I couldn't have asked for a better agent, and I highly recommend Jen to anyone looking to buy or sell property. "Jen colored another page of The Jen and Tim Show Coloring Book designed by Producer Matt! Follow The Jen & Tim Show. Hes poisoned inside. Our cultural references to comedians and music are identical to Gerry and Tommys. Cal is Graces 17-year-old son, and hes often seen when she is at home, whether its making dinner or doing his homework. In reality, it was the communication issues that drove them apart. Its obviously something to do with the writing but Grace just jumped off the page and connected. When it happens, it happens but in-between you spend a lot of time waiting around. Company Credits I think Ive spent my life trying to work it out and I feel thankful that Ive now found the dramatic medium as a way to express a lot of the questions I had as a result of my own experiences. People call it gallows humour but the heavier the going, the lighter people need to be to get through it. Tommy is a pretty nervous and frightened guy before he joined the police, so the idea of him getting away from the front line as fast as he could made more sense to him. Describe the process of being cast in the show and what made you decide to accept the role? The O'Hara's have new neighbors, a boy Stevie and his adult sister Jennifer. I said Im just copying everything Richard does, so it worked. I spent quite a bit of time in different museums, learning about the citys history, both recent and further in the past. It was truly wonderful to work with our director, Gilles Bannier. Thank you so much for being part of our mornings! Shes almost that perfect member of the police to be helping the community. How did that help you? She is tough on the probationers because she knows what the job entails and the type of person who suits it. Prior to that, Jen was a producer for the Brian and Joe Radio Show from 5 am to 10 am on weekdays. The foursome go to picnic on Sunset Mountain as Martin needs to get an metal ore called "glink" for his craft. How does Tommy begin to come out of his shell and build confidence? It was clear that Muttand Alexis' romance was dead (following the same path as Alexis' previous boyfriends), but it wouldhave been niceto see Mutt find someone suitable for his lifestyle. It is gritty and violent but ultimately it is redemptive, hopeful and optimistic. Release Dates We were very lucky to have a number of retired police advisers on the series, who have previously served as police officers themselves. 10 year old Katie Guarlotti received Taylor Swift's hat during the Eras Tour in Pittsburgh and she joined the Jen and Tim Show to discuss how it happened and what it was like. What was your vision for the series and how did you develop your vision and style? Listen to the Jen and Tim Show on Star 102 - I co-host it w/ my ex-boyfriend. Trump Toohey: How hot is an orange-yellow fire? Matt Hribar is a co-creater, writer, producer and voice artist for "Non Denominational", a Sitcom Podcast. If you are going to write fictional stories and characters that feel real why not meet people who do the job for real and in no precinct is that required more than if you are going to represent a police force and especially a police force in a post-conflict society like Northern Ireland. Thats testament to how brilliant the research, and the writing thats come from that research, has been. Each role is like going back to school and learning a brand-new subject. I cant catch a ball to save my life so I had to be put to work straight away. Adam: You have to ask yourself how people who grew up during the Troubles survived. Jen is the type of person that would remind the teacher theres homework, Annie is the one who definitely didnt do it and has an excuse lined up. Producer Matt came through for Jen and everyone who wants to dunk Tim! Ive lived in England for ten years now and patrol police over here dont carry guns so it is odd to go home and see police carrying firearms. Either way,Mutt'spresence was nice while it lasted. Its about the clash of generations beautifully written by Declan and Adam. We were also really interested in the fact this would be a PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) officer at the front of a contemporary drama set in Belfast and so Louise had us with the idea within about five minutes. But thats never a given. All the firearms stuff was amazing, being there doing the real tests and shooting real weapons these guys practice with. Can you talk about Tommy being on the fast-track programme? Particularly on a show that doesnt have an obvious hook so we dont have a huge lead actor that an audience necessarily recognises. It was effortlessly real. In a strange way Stevie is a lone wolf. How much did you know about the force in Northern Ireland and what research did you do? She cant help but take them under her wing. Jen received a Bachelor of Communication degree from John Carroll University. Shes also different things to different people, which I get. Every place comes with its own spirit and its a big part of who Annie is as a person. So many times, we hear the Northern Ireland accent on screen and it feels forced, like theyre trying to squeeze every ounce of Northern Ireland character out of every single line. Maybe he even picked up a new job. The scripts were so well crafted, clever and funny but also really deep. Visible wires: Attached to levitated kitchen table. Its more like an outsiders perspective. Grace has the gift of life experience in her previous job compared to Annie and Tommy. It was really great and so helpful to have that insight. Its the back life to those characters that we see in the moments where nothing really happens and theyre thinking. What were your thoughts when you first read the scripts? As soon as you humanise people who can get dehumanised like politicians and police officers, it can immediately look more positive, youve made them more of a sympathetic person. GET TICKETS AT WONDERSTUCKFEST.COM. The foursome go to picnic on Sunset Mountain as Martin needs to get an metal ore called "glink" for his craft. I can relate to Annie in a way that she is stubborn and short tempered. SEE KHALID, NELLY & MORE TODAY AT WONDERSTRUCK. They found resilience because they had to and they found that with an acerbic wit and with humour and discovering that the small things in life are what really matter. TIX AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR OR WWW.WONDERSTRUCKFEST.COM. Uncle Martin: Why not? Invalid Date. Theres also a real honesty in the script to the realities of Northern Ireland in the present day, as were still battling issues that have come from The Troubles. Theyre class and like no-other. It felt very Northern Irish but many international themes, bit of romance, family issues, work stress and life balance. That was so interesting to learn and do. How does Gerry fit into the story of Blue Lights? Trump Toohey: Who is Beyonc's actress step-sister known for her role in Pretty Little Liars? Blue Lights is set against the backdrop of policing in Northern Ireland how did you incorporate your own experience of growing up in NI into the drama? We concentrated on the family and moved out from there. However, when we started to research it we looked at the world of probationary police officers; trainees in the PSNI which we found so intriguing and decided to introduce a number of characters who are at different stages of life. She would much rather sit at her desk and do paperwork but it appears that is all a front and shes actually terrified. So what happened to Alexis' former love interest? The foursome go to picnic on Sunset Mountain as Martin needs to get an metal ore called "glink" for his craft. of writer, "The Thing About You Kids" from Greenberg, In and Around Synecdoche, NY Incredibly Complicated, Play: "Man of Destiny", by George Bernard Shaw. 1.4K views, 80 likes, 7 loves, 11 comments, 1 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Jen and Tim Show: Producer Matt came through for Jen and everyone who wants to dunk Tim! All three are new police officers in their probation period with the PSNI, the odds are at least one of them isnt going to last. Those decisions we all make, and in particular, these policemen and women are like butterfly wings that could cause a hurricane they can really change the world. Sometimes we dont even get to know what they are thinking about but thats ok because it makes it real and I dont feel like Ive seen that before apart from Better Call Saul. Thats why Blue Lights is about character and how normal people separate the job and the duty from then going home afterwards and distilling the things they have seen. Mutt tried to rekindle his romance with Alexis, but she had moved on and grown since he left. Shes teaching him things and reframing his mind in ways thats benefitting him, he might not want to admit that but shes a good influence on him. He has always known it bothers him and makes him different, but as he has got older he has become more and more aware of the way in which racial prejudice directly affects his life. Its not something you do every day. The bearded and brooding Mutt who was much quieter and mysterious than either of his parents instantly caught the attention of Alexis Rose (Annie Murphy) after the Rose family relocated to the town. It was pretty crazy experience. Mutt and Alexis got to know each other in Schitt's Creek season 1 when they were both sentenced to community service for past crimes. Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area. She hosts Jen and Tim Show on Star 102. Weve seen other capital cities before, countless police shows all over the world, but I dont think weve seen Belfast like this, our history and our politics means things work slightly differently here and Declan and Adam havent shied away from that. Every seventeen years we're only 35 million miles apart. He trusts her, shes funny, she brightens up his day and makes it go quicker. They dont have a lot of scenes together but quite early on you see two strong women, who are different in ages, looking out for each other in subtle but effective ways. The research part of creating this show was so satisfying. It was my first time reading a Belfast script that felt compelling and real and above all was itself. successful young doctor. Were just telling a story about people in quite unique circumstances. July 3, 2023. I felt like I was reading a true depiction of Belfast, of my city on screen. I think thats what makes Sins character (Grace) such a good police officer in the end, she has that experience of being in social care and carrying that across. What makes Northern Irish Humour so unique? Theyre in it together. 2,562 Followers, 125 Following, 340 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from The Jen And Tim Show (@jenandtimshow) Its about three rookies that join the PSNI and following their path as they battle their own challenges to becoming an officer. Before, Jen worked as a co-host of Trapper & Toohey on New 102 on CBS Radio. Jim Hart Mon-Fri: 7p - 12a. I just loved how both Declan and Adam perfectly encapsulated the energy of people from Northern Ireland and also how complex and distinctive the characters are. What I hope the audience find relatable is that even though shes someone trying to do good in this world, shes also messy and flawed. This would also explain why his subsequentappearances wereguest spots, requiring considerably less shooting time. June 13, 2022. We often see television dramas with police officers who are experienced and in their prime but whats lovely about this drama is watching these very different characters enter into a job where they have no idea how it will play out. September 2, 2005 - September 17, 2013 (divorced, 1 child). At first, you may think hes jaded and a bit maverick because he does things a little differently. The other surprising thing was how heavy the vests were when all the equipment was on - truncheons, radios, batteries, handcuffs, notepads, guns, and then having to leg it after someone at any given moment! She sees a lot of her younger self in Annie. Uncle Martin: Well, we have larger models, but a compact is all you need to drop in on a neighbor. RICHARDS slides down the hall from . Celebrate with freebies at the Guardians 7 game homestand next week, Good Morning America names best breakfast restaurant in Cleveland, Pepsi infused ketchup headed to select ballparks for July 4th, Walk the Moon to perform after the Guardians game Saturday night. The 3 lucky winners are headed to Pittsburgh to. What can audiences expect from the series? Girl on the radio. As an actor you want to build a character that can say those words in that place at that time and make him as three dimensional as possible. When they finally acted on their feelings, Alexis was engaged to Ted (Dustin Milligan) but she later left him to be with Mutt. Did Richard ever make you laugh during scenes? Adam:That is what distinguishes being a cop in NI from being a cop elsewhere in the UK and how does that impact on a family dynamic when you are telling your child to lie about your job. By Jen & Tim Show, Star 102. He'll co-anchor the 7pm Fox 8 Newscast alongside Elizabeth Noreika starting next week. What was interesting and what worked well in comparison to Richard is that I am an inexperienced actor as Tommy is an inexperienced police officer. Viewers also learned that Mutt was newly single when he returned to town. Youre really in unknown territory in terms of the way people speak to each other; what can be casual and what can be authoritative. Lover of music, home decor and promo codes. Our director, Gilles (Bannier), sent some wonderful documentaries that were very useful. Whats her relationship like with the other characters in the series? How does Gerrys partnership with Tommy develop? Barbara Hall . What other themes does the series explore? He said to me how would I like the role of Tommy?, I started screaming, my Mum and Dad started screaming. Its even more exciting than seeing a well-known actor do something different. Shes emotionally intelligent and intuitive and she knows how to read people and situations. How is Blue Lights different from other police dramas? The O'Hara's have new neighbors, a boy Stevie and his adult sister Jennifer. Its different in a sense that it reveals the people within the police force in a much more realistic way than Ive ever seen portrayed before. Its also hard in some ways to make a story about your home because we are so close to it. Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area. You could tell the first time reading his script that theyre from Belfast and really knew what they were talking about. You see whats reported in English news but that isnt necessarily giving you the nuance of what is happening day to day. Mon-Fri: 5:30a - 10a. It Read allThe O'Hara's have new neighbors, a boy Stevie and his adult sister Jennifer. Blue Lights is focused around the story of three rookie cops and it follows these three new recruits while they enter a relatively recent established system of policing in Northern Ireland. It is located there not yet discovered by humans. Invalid Date. After a secretary stole all their money, the duo hire Liv who just needs a job. By the end of the first script I was already convinced by the brilliant writing and so I jumped into episode two and it was even better. Another good one is a scene where Gerry and I have to give CPR, it was really difficult scene to do, to put yourself in the place where its life or death. Its a refreshing take on a police drama. There are so many festivals taking place in Ohio this weekend, and Jen and Tim break down the best places to go. How to Be a Hero Without Really Trying: Directed by Sidney Miller. Following the breakup with Alexis in Schitt's Creek, Mutt mostly disappeared from the series. Blue Lights is about normal people, they arent heroes and they are our neighbours and, like all police forces do, they try and hold society together. At that point I committed to directing them all. Gerry is the joker in the pack and provides the humour that threads through the station. Suffice it to say, he and Alexis were complete opposites. It was a fantastic challenge. Blue Lights is most definitely Belfast and theres nowhere else in the world it could be other than Belfast. GET TICKETS AT WONDERSTUCKFEST.COM. How did you feel when you first read the scripts? Created and written by Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, Blue Lights follows three rookie police officers working in Belfast, a uniquely dangerous place to be a police officer. How was it working with the director, Gilles? During the prep period we had someone come in to show us how to use the firearms. It was a brilliant opportunity to present these anti-heroes who are full of flaws, dont know what they are doing and are still learning the ropes.