Crá Series Two Cast Discuss the Crime Drama

Crime drama Crá returns to BBC iPlayer with Conall Ó Súilleabháin tormented by one question, what really happened to his father Art?

Dónall Ó Héalaí (Hidden Assets, The Punisher) reprises his role as Conall, who is now a trainee detective in Letterkenny working under the mentorship of Aoife Cooney, played by Siobhán O’Kelly (Mixtape).

When human remains wash up on a beach in Carraignanaul, the investigation brings Conall and Aoife back to the hometown he is trying to leave behind.

Conall reconnects with old friend Sergeant Barry Roche, played by Alex Murphy (The Young Offenders), but quickly realises people have their suspicions that he may have helped his father disappear and avoid facing justice.

Complicating matters further, true-crime podcaster Ciara-Kate, played by Hannah Brady (Soulma8e), is working on a new series focused on Art’s disappearance and encourages Barry to start digging into it.

From a prison van escape initiated by a gang of boy racers to a murder investigation and the suspicious activities surrounding the powerful Lipsett family, series two explores the personal and professional lives of law enforcers operating in a sometimes-lawless borderland. And the consequences for those who are haunted by the past and forced to tread a fine line between good and evil.

Supporting Dónall, Siobhán, Alex and Hannah are Colm Mac Giolla Easbuic (Ros na Rún), Barry McGovern (Obituary), Lochlann Ó Mearáin (Mr Loverman, The Head), Art Parkinson (Aontas, Say Nothing), Aoife Nic Ardghail (Casual), Seán Duggan (House of Guinness) and Tony Devlin (Say Nothing).

Crá is produced by Fíbín Media and Fíbín Films NI for BBC Gaeilge and TG4 with support from Screen Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund, Coimisiún na Meán and distributors About Premium Content (APC).

Phillip Doherty returns as director for series two. The producers are Ciarán Charles and Darach Ó Tuairisg for Fíbín Media and Méabh Nic Alastair for Fíbín Films NI. Phillip Doherty returns as director for series two.

• Watch Crá on BBC iPlayer and add to your Watchlist

Cast interviews

Dónall Ó Héalaí (Conall Ó Súilleabháin)

Tell us about Conall?

I suppose Conall is a fairly focused character, who is brought on a hell of a journey this season. Where he . . . [When] we meet him first, and he’s in Letterkenny and he’s tried to kind of get away from Carraignanaul, but, not long into the first episode, he gets brought right back to the belly of the beast.

What’s your favourite thing about playing Conall?

Whatever he does, Conall kind of commits to it 100%, even if it’s the wrong thing to do. And, yeah, he’s kind of singular in terms of his pursuit of, I guess, the truth – if you want to call it that.

And from that, comes a lot of energy and that’s always fun.

Without giving to much away, what can viewers look forward to from series two?

I think the viewers can look forward to a second season that’s exciting, that’s entertaining and that will continually force the audience to question, maybe, what’s true and what isn’t.

Siobhán O’Kelly (Aoife Cooney)

Tell us about Aoife?

So, I play Detective Aoife Cooney. She’s here to mentor Conall and I think that, yeah, that she’s the type of person who thinks that she can control a man like Conall. And clearly can’t.

Yeah, so, she’s very driven, really good at her job, likes to do everything by the book, really gets off on her work, I think, you know, loves her job.

What’s your favourite thing about playing Aoife?

I love that she’s somebody who’s good at her job, looks really smart, is really smart, you know, is in control. I was going to use a bad word…but has her stuff together!

She loves running a team, loves getting things done and getting stuck in, which was great, because I got to do some fast driving and to do my own stunt.

Without giving to much away, what can viewers look forward to from series two?

I think, in season two, everything is just ramped up. It’s darker. It’s violent. It’s fast. It’s, you know, it’s pacey. And then it’s kind of absurdist at times, which I love.

You know, nothing is ever as you think it’s going to be.

Alex Murphy (Barry Roche)

Tell us about Barry?

Oh, well, he’s come a long way now. In season one, Garda Barry Roche. Season two, Sergeant Barry Roche. So he’s going to the moon.

If we get to season 10 now, he’ll be the president. So, yeah, we’ll see.

What’s your favourite thing about playing Barry?

I just love how he’s so dedicated to his job. It’s by-the-book. He’s passionate, which is a lot of fun to play, because any time a character wants to veer him off to do something else, he’s very reluctant to do so.

Without giving to much away, what can viewers look forward to in series two?

I feel like the stakes are higher this season. We’re kind of being a bit bolder with everything so there’s a lot more car chases and drifting, and fights. I think just more intensity all around.

Hannah Brady (Ciara-Kate)

Tell us about Ciara-Kate?

Ciara-Kate is back in Carraignanaul, up to her usual tricks. I think that, in this season, she has more of a connection to the place. She knows the people, and I think she cares more deeply about them.

So while she is on the scent of a story, I think that there has been some growth in the way that she goes about things. She is on the hunt for the truth, and she rekindles her relationship with Barry which is very fun and exciting.

What’s your favourite thing about playing Ciara-Kate?

My favourite thing about Ciara-Kate is how direct she is. I think that while it can come off a little abrasive, I would love to be as direct as she is.

She knows what she wants and she’s going to get it, but I think she has maybe grown more of a conscience this series which I’m also glad to see.

Without giving to much away, what can viewers look forward to in series two?

Yeah, I think series two has taken a step up in terms of drama. I think the stakes are higher for everyone. There’s more action, some really exciting car sequences. There’s more murder. Is that a spoiler? No, right? We find out there’s a murder pretty early on. It’s a crime drama. There’s a murder!

But it’s a little closer to home. I think you can expect more of the things you liked in season one. There’s still some comedy, but there’s also drama, trauma, sadness, grief, dirty cops, dirty podcasters.

Something for everyone!

Art Parkinson (Aodh)

Tell us about Aodh?

My character is a chronically violent MMA fighter by trade. He is also a sort of drug dealing, people smuggler when he wants to be, you know what I mean. If the money is right, I suppose kind-of-an-idea, or if the persuasion is right.

And he goes on a bit of an experience, it starts off, somewhat quieter than it ends.

What’s your favourite thing about playing Aodh?

What l liked about playing the character was certainly you pick the worst traits of the worst people you’ve ever met, and you compile them into one 68 kilo man like me and just go from there.

It’s also in the way people carry themselves and you can have a bit of fun with it. And it is certainly rare that I am not playing a crying child or a nerdy adult, so I’m having a lot of fun with it.

Without giving to much away, what can viewers look forward to from series two?

I think there is a lot of energy to it, there is a huge amount of energy. It’s fast moving, there is a lot of diffing in it, which I am going to tell a lie and tell people that I was doing it myself.

It’s a great team and I think you can tell that by the production team attached.