Local comedian, actor and writer Tony Kelly received good news this week that his TV series Ronnie, which he co-created with Waterford's Pat Daly and another writer Ken Hanson, has been nominated in six categories at this year's British Web Awards. The winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony before the end of the year.
It's not the first time Tony and Pat have worked together; they also co-wrote radio drama The Undocumented, which aired on WLR, and Pat worked with Tony in adapting The Hurler for the stage in 2020.
In conversation with Geoff on The Lunchbox, Tony Kelly said Ronnie has already been nominated for 'Best Pilot' at the New York Independent Cinema Awards.
While all five episodes are written, so far only the pilot has been shot, which Tony says makes the nominations all the more special and exciting.
Currently Tony and the other creators are in talks with a number of media outlets with regards to airing the TV series.
What's Ronnie about?
The series is an ironic comedy about the title character, Ronnie, a comedian living in New York, who comes home to Waterford to do his stand-up show. But, the Pandemic hits and he gets stuck there in Lockdown.
Tony tells Geoff that the pilot episode features a lot of conversations over Zoom, which of course has been a major technological feature of the Pandemic.
Waterford involvement in "Ronnie"
Tony goes on to say that the show features a lot of well known Waterford faces, both in cast and crew. Ailish O'Neill from the Waterford Film Centre is Associate Producer, Liam O'Brien was cinematographer, and local performer Bonnie Boux plays a central role. The music on the show is by Waterford band Chrome Yellow.
In addition you'll see some stars from "across the pond;" Kirk Baltz from Reservoir Dogs and Katelyn Davis from the Disney Channel (playing Ronnie's girlfriend).
Shooting "Ronnie" in Waterford
A lot of the pilot episode showcases scenic spots in the Deise, with Cheekpoint a major feature.
Tony says it's an area he really came to appreciate in the past year:
During the Christmas Lockdown I was walking with my cousin Val quite a lot out in Cheekpoint, and I just found it to be really beautiful. It's not a place I would have spent a lot of time in Waterford. I was looking across at the power station in Wexford and thought that the whole view made a beautiful location.
Release date for "Ronnie"
Tony tells Geoff that there's no date for the series to air yet but it's a case of "watch this space..."
Have a listen to their chat on The Lunchbox...
For more news on TV and film, click here to read about this year's Waterford Film Festival.
