Paula (TV series)

Paula is a three-part British-Irish television drama series, created by screenwriter Conor McPherson, that was first broadcast on RTÉ One on 24 May 2017 in Ireland and BBC Two on 25 May 2017 in the UK. The series focuses on schoolteacher Paula Denny (Denise Gough), who after a chance encounter with handyman James Moorcroft (Tom Hughes), finds her life turned upside down and the safety of everyone she cares about in danger. Filmed in Dublin and Belfast and produced by Cuba Pictures, the series immediately drew comparisons from viewers and critics alike with fellow Northern Irish thriller The Fall. The series was commissioned in September 2016 by former controller of BBC drama, Polly Hill.

Alongside Gough and Hughes, the series also stars Owen McDonnell as police officer Mac, and Edward MacLiam as Paula's love interest, fellow teacher Philip Byrden. The series was directed by Alex Holmes and produced by Peter Norris, known for his work on former BBC2 stablemate Line of Duty. Gough said of her character: "This woman is acting out in this way that so many of us do and not apologising for it. Also I love the connection to her family. She has a weird lack of intimacy with her family and that informed why she chose unavailable men. What is also interesting is people say ‘she is not very likeable’ and that is such a funny thing we say about women in this position."

The series was released on DVD on 12 June 2017.

Cast

 * Denise Gough as Paula Denny
 * Tom Hughes as James Moorcroft
 * Owen McDonnell as DI "Mac" McArthur
 * Edward MacLiam as Philip Byrden
 * Sean McGinley as Terry
 * Jane Brennan as Gemma
 * Siobhán Cullen as Morgan
 * Aoibhinn McGinnity as Crystal
 * Emily Taaffe as Ruth Laurence
 * Jonny Holden as Callum Denny
 * Amelie Metcalfe as Mary
 * Ciarán McMenamin as Ch. Supt. McGlynn
 * David Herlihy as Hogan
 * Aislín McGuckin as Diane