This May on BBC One see’s the start of a new crime-drama series based on the books by writer Benjamin Black (John Banville). Starring Irish actor Gabriel Byrne in the shows title role, ‘Quirke’ has been adapted for television by screenwriters Conor McPherson and Andrew Davies.
Set during the 1950’s, Quirke, a charismatic loner whose job leads him into unexpected places, works as the chief pathologist in the Dublin city morgue. Each episode of this three-part series will feature Quirke investigating the death of an unfortunate soul who’s has ended up on his mortuary slab.
When does Quirke start on BBC?
The shows air date and time has now been officially confirmed, with episode 1 premiering in the UK on BBC One from 9:00pm to 10:30pm on Sunday, 25 May, 2014. As always, if you miss any of the episodes during their Sunday night broadcasts, series catch-up will be available online via BBC iPlayer.
Cast List
Character – Actor/Actress
Quirke – Gabriel Byrne – (The Usual Suspects, In Treatment)
Judge Garret Griffin – Michael Gambon – (Harry Potter, Maigret)
Malachy Griffin – Nick Dunning
Phoebe Griffin – Aisling Franciosi
Inspector Hackett – Stanley Townsend
Rose Crawford – Sara Stewart
Brenda Ruttledge – Janet Moran
Sarah Griffin – Geraldine Somerville
Additional Cast of Quirke by Episode of First Appearance
Episode 1
Sinclair – Brian Gleeson
Claire Stafford – Catherine Steadman
Josh Crawford – Donald Sumpter
Andy Stafford – Shane Taylor
Davy – Frank O’Sullivan
Brendan Boyle – Peter Coonan
Costigan – Pat Laffan
Sister Stephanus – Lesa Thurman
Costigan’s Man – Gary Egan
Costigan’s Man – Andy Kellegher
Sister Dominic – Deirdre Donnelly
Maisie – Jane McGrath
McCoy – Diarmaid Murtagh
Trucker – Tim Dillard
Father Harkins – Garrett Lombard
Deirdre – Anne Gill
Delia – Aoibhinn McGinnity
Episode 2
Billy Hunt – Branwell Donaghey
Leslie White – Lee Ingleby
Deirdre Hunt – Charlie Murphy
Mrs Cuffe-Wilkes – Donna Dent
John Millican – David Murray
Hakim Kreutz – Aaron Neil
Maggie – Aine Ni Mhuiri
Customs Officer – Paul McGlinchey
Old Man – Lalor Roddy
Young Garda – Sam McGovern
Episode 3
Oscar Latimer – Aidan McArdle
Bill Latimer – Ian McElhinney
Celia Latimer – Dearbhla Molloy
Isabel Galloway – Flora Montgomery
Jimmy Minor – Colin Morgan
Father Anselm – Denis Conway
Margaret – Bernadette McKenna
Rugby Fan – Chris Newman
Barman – Donagh Deeney
Mrs Leetch – Barbara Adair
Ward Sister – Noni Stapleton
Garda Dermot – Gerard Adlum
BBC Trailer
Who sings the theme tune to the Quirke BBC advert?
The music used on the above BBC trailer is the song ‘Black Wave’ by the Danish indie duo, The Raveonettes. The track features on special editions of the bands 2005 album ‘Pretty in Black’.
Episode Guide
Episode 1/3 – Christine Falls
During late autumn in Dublin, 1956, Quirke (Gabriel Byrne) stumbles in late at night from a party in the nurses’ quarters. To the city pathologists surprise, he finds obstetric consultant Malachy Griffin (Nick Dunning), his adoptive brother, at his desk completing some paperwork for a recently deceased patient named Christine Falls. Mal isn’t thrilled to see Quirke, a fact which troubles Quirke when he returns the following day to discover the body is gone.
Episode 2/3 – Silver Swan
It’s early 1957 and the Griffin family has been blown apart since the revelation that the now heavily drinking Quirke, is in fact Phoebe’s natural father. Meanwhile, Mal and Sarah’s marriage is on the rocks, with Sarah regretting the missed chances of 20 years earlier when she let her sister Delia steal Quirke away.
Phoebe decided’s to assert her freedom from everyone by moving out of the family home and taking up with a louche and dangerous young man called Leslie White, a name which soon becomes familiar to Quirke.
Episode 3/3 – Elegy For April
Fighting a losing battle with grief and drink, Quirke’s family life continues to unravel. Meanwhile, Phoebe forges a new life for herself with the help of a circle of oddly assorted friends. Phoebe’s new group includes the shining light of the Gate Theatre, Isabel Galloway, reporter Jimmy Minor, and junior doctors April Latimer and Patrick Ojukwu.
Phoebe becomes worried when April isn’t heard from for over a week. With the help of Inspector Hackett, Quirke uncovers some alarming evidence in April’s flat, but when the news is reported to April’s well-connected family, their response is not what he expects.
Where is Quirke filmed?
Shot in Dublin, Ireland during late 2012 and early 2013, filming locations for the TV series included the shows main set at Clancy Barracks, along Camden Street and the canal near Baggot Street.
Filming location references: IFTN