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THE ACTOR WHO plays Charlie Haughey’s press secretary in a new drama about the former taoiseach’s controversial career has said he was amazed to find out that all of the script was true.
Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, more famous for his role as Nidge in Love/Hate, underwent a dramatic transformation for the role of PJ Mara, the chain-smoking press advisor and confidant of Haughey, for the three-part drama – ‘Charlie’ – which will air on RTÉ in the autumn.
Vaughan-Lawlor said the part was a joy to play and noted the “panache” of Mara but admitted he was amazed by all of the script being true.
“When I first got the script I didn’t know how much of it was fact or fiction, and I was amazed to find out that it was all true,” he said.
The actor was able to meet with Mara prior to filming saying it was an “invaluable” experience ahead of taking on the role.
“I was nervous but he was very generous with his time and he gave me wonderful insights into the period and into the dynamic of his relationships with different politicians and how he worked and how his office was run – the temperature of the times,” he said.
Vaughan-Lawlor was also full of praise for Aidan Gillen who plays Haughey in the drama series.
He highlighted in particular Gillen’s work ethic given that the former star of the hit US drama ‘The Wire’ had to be in at 6am on every filming day to undergo a radcial transformation into Haughey.
He added: “The balls of him in accepting that part is something to commend straight away… he was amazing and it was a joy to work for him.”
- reporting by Emer McLysaght
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From one gangster to another
More crimes committed by Haughey than the entire series of love hate.
CAB should really look at the Haughey families wealth.
Haughey stubbed a cigar out in the hand of a hotel porter just because he could. His family and the bankers families are still best friends with the same developers and Senior Auditors in the big firms. It is Ireland at its best. The Irish must be the most gullible people on the planet yet keep shouting about how great it is to be Irish. I suppose the Sicilians are afraid of the Madia and the Irish are no different. It would be great for some retired Gardai and detectives to start blowing the whistle on Charlie .
Haughey was a crook we all know that now but he also laid the foundations for the multinationals setting up in ireland, irish beef becoming a world beater, the irish horse racing industry being recognised world wide as the best not much tax from that fair enough but you cant put a price on that image.He knew how to turn a buck unlike alot of the school teachers that came after him. He was beyond corrupt but you cant deny like he said himself “he did the country some service” pity he couldnt have done more of it and less for himself.
The big question. Who was the bigger gangster? Haughey or John Boy ?
Oh, goody, another ad for the forthcoming show. Keep ‘ em coming Journal!
If he met him and sounds so referential, this could be an homage. Waiting to be told I’m wrong!
This new role will take a while to get used to. I will keep half expecting him to take members of the opposition up the Dublin mountains and off them with a 9 mill lol
“Rise and follow Charlie !” …..
How will this programme affect the proposed merger between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail I wonder …..
I have an autograph from CJ, if anyone is interested tweet me
have your say