Colin Farrell: TV Crime Boss?

Rumours have been rife in the Irish media for a long time that RTÉ’s top crime drama “Love/Hate” is set to be remade by the US market.

Last week, the Irish Daily Star reported that if the series were to go ahead, Colin Farrell would be interested in taking on the role of Nidge.

Tom Vaughan Lawlor is the actor who currently plays Nidge. He recently won the IFTA for for Best TV Actor. Copyright: RTÉ 2013. Photography Credit: Bernard Walsh.
Tom Vaughan Lawlor is the actor who currently plays Nidge. He recently won the IFTA for for Best TV Actor. Copyright: RTÉ 2013. Photography Credit: Bernard Walsh.

TheCity.ie took to the streets of the capital to see who fans of the hit show would like to see play the conniving crime boss.

“Well if we’re talking about Irish actors I actually think Farrell would be quite good.  He was excellent in Intermission.”- John Ginnity, 45.

“It doesn’t really matter.  America very rarely remakes a foreign show successfully; look at the likes of ‘Skins’ and ‘The Inbetweeners’.  The humour won’t transcend properly and I think the humour is the reason the characters are so likeable.” -Marie Daly, 25.

“I suppose maybe an actor that the US audience is familiar with could be good. Obviously Colin Farrell would be one of these or maybe even Brendan Gleeson, I think he’d do a great job of it.” – Jill Watkins, 21.

“I wouldn’t mind seeing someone like Michael Fassbender take it on.  He plays a great role in ‘X-men: First Class’ taking on the evil character.” – Glenn Dalton, 32

Farrell has proven he can play the role of a criminal in Martin McDonagh’s critically acclaimed films “In Bruges” and “Seven Psychopaths” as well as Bullseye in the 2003 superhero film “DareDevil”.

Several US remakes of hit British TV shows have been a regular occurrence in recent years. E4’s top shows “Skins” and “The Inbetweeners” were both given the US treatment by MTV.  However, neither show was renewed for a second season by the broadcaster.

The Inbetweeners was a highly successful British Television show. However the US Remake was cancelled after just 12 episodes. Image by Magnus D on flickr
The Inbetweeners was a highly successful British Television show. However the US Remake was cancelled after just 12 episodes. Image by Magnus D on flickr

The racy nature of “Skins” lead to complaints from many viewers, and possible violations of federal pornography laws saw big name sponsors cease advertising during commercial breaks in the show.

While US audiences are fans of gritty crime dramas such as “The Wire”, “The Sopranos”, and “Breaking Bad”, it remains to be seen if “Love/Hate” will get the final go ahead to be remade Stateside.

Currently, online video streaming service Hulu, own the rights to broadcast “Love/Hate” in America.

 

Vox Pop carried out by Stephanie Quilligan and Graham Barry.

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