Proof (TV series)

Proof

Opening Credits
Format Drama / Thriller
Starring Orla Brady, Bryan Murray, Finbar Lynch
Country of origin Ireland
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 8
Production
Running time 60 minutes (including commercials)
approx. 50 minutes (without commercials)
Production company(s) Subotica
Broadcast
Original channel RTÉ One, TV 2 (Denmark)
Original run January 2004 – April 2005

Proof (known as Beviset in Denmark) is an Irish television mini-serial co-produced by Subotica for RTÉ in Ireland and TV2 in Denmark. Proof had two season the second season entitled Proof 2.

Contents

Production

Proof was an Irish-Danish co-production. It received funding from the Irish State Broadcaster RTÉ, Denmark's TV2 and Ireland's section 481 a taxation scheme for both film and television in Ireland. It was filmed on location in Ireland.

Development

The first series was directed by Ciaran Donnelly and series two by Thaddeus O'Sullivan. Produced by Tristan Orpen Lynch for Subotica and Mary Callery for RTÉ. Proof was Created by Tony Philpott, and with the first 2 episodes in the first series written by him, the series became controversial when it was discovered that Philpott's original screenplay had been "dumbed down" and had some of the more politically-critical elements removed. The screenplay was read by Sunday Times TV critic who noted the excisions and who editorialised about them in an article separate to his TV column. Fay's observations in the Sunday Times Feb 1 2004 included the observation: "It could almost be the plot of a whodunnit. A television station commissions a hard- hitting drama set against the sleazy backdrop of Irish political corruption. The designated writer delivers the goods with a script that station bigwigs hail as one of the grittiest and most convincing they’ve ever read. Then, somewhere between the green-lighting of the project and the first day of principal photography, the script is eviscerated. Its astringent depiction of crooked politics, Irish-style, is watered down to bland, generic mush."

Development

The first series was directed by Ciaran Donnelly and series two by Thaddeus O'Sullivan. Produced by Tristan Orpen Lynch for Subotica and Mary Callery for RTÉ.

Cast

Cast of Characters
Actor Character
Bryan Murry Miles Carrick
Finbar Lynch Terry Corcoran
Orla Brady Maureen Boland
Sidse Babette Knudsen Nina Kurpreka

Broadcasting

The series was first broadcast in January 2004 on RTÉ, it was also broadcast in Denmark. In 2009, both series were broadcast by Scottish broadcaster STV.

Episodes

Each series had 4 episodes each. A total of 8 were produced.

Reception

The series was a hit with critics and audiences alike.

Ratings

Proof was a ratings success for RTÉ and in 2004 became the most watch drama beating of RTÉ's soap opera Fair City.

Awards and nominations

Orla Brady received an Irish Film and Television Award nomination for Best Actress in a TV serial in 2004 and the show was also up for nomination for best TV serial the same year.

External links