From Fringe Film to Five Seasons: The Unlikely Journey of The Young Offenders
The lads from Cork, Conor and Jock, are back, and their journey on screen is proving to be far longer and more successful than anyone, including stars Chris Walley and Alex Murphy, ever anticipated. As a brand-new season of the beloved Irish comedy The Young Offenders prepares to hit screens, the principal actors have opened up about their humble beginnings and the unexpected trajectory of their hit show.
Season five sees the chaotic duo, portrayed by Alex Murphy (Conor) and Chris Walley (Jock), reunited after a rather spectacular run-in with the law that landed them in correctional facilities on two different continents. A stroke of luck, or perhaps sheer audacity, allows Jock to make a daring escape from Colombia back to their native Cork. Predictably, it doesn’t take long for the pair to fall back into their old habits, causing mayhem wherever they go, all while their primary motivation remains the same: improving their own lives and those of their families.
The upcoming season promises more of the signature blend of heartfelt friendship and reckless abandon. Conor finds himself facing the potential loss of the love of his life, while Jock attempts to mend his fractured relationship with Star. Their ambitious, and often ill-conceived, plans to better their circumstances, hatched with the help of local characters, involve taking significant risks. However, for Conor and Jock, this is simply what best mates do for each other.
Reflecting on the show’s enduring popularity, Alex Murphy admitted that neither he nor his co-star ever truly believed they had a hit on their hands. He confessed to starting out with remarkably low expectations.
“We definitely didn’t think we’d be still going to this stage,” Murphy revealed. “But because we started off with such low expectations, to the point where Chris thought it would just be a film that was on YouTube and everything after that was just a bonus. Like there was no script.”
He elaborated on the organic development of the series: “We just were told it was two young Cork fellas trying to make a bit of money and then the script was kind of developed through that. So then when the film came out, and it did so well for the BBC to kind of and RTE to pick it up and run with it, was every season’s, just a treat after that.”
Chris Walley shared a similar sentiment, recalling his initial disbelief when the project evolved into a television series. “I remember being in the first year of drama school, and I was going into second year and we found out that we were getting a TV series,” he said. “And I was like, I just couldn’t quite wrap my head around it because I’d only ever really seen that happen a few times. And obviously, like, This Is England was one of those shows that went from a film to a series. That’s not really a traditional route. So when that was happening for us, it was like, Oh, my God. And I think it was when we were at drama school, so we were like, geez, this is working very well.”
Walley described the show’s longevity as “the gift that keeps on giving.”
Beyond the on-screen antics, the strong bond between Walley and Murphy is a significant factor in the show’s success. Their genuine friendship often translates into seamless and hilarious performances.
“Myself and Alex being such good friends really understand each other so well that, you know, we have a lot of silliness and come out with some pretty silly things dancing back and forth,” Walley explained. “So I kind of think there’s whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing, there’s unfortunately no end to us just coming out with outrageous things and improv scenes.”
The camaraderie extends to their personal lives, with the actors even managing to incorporate their families into the production.
“We do pull a few strings now that we’re on season five,” Murphy chuckled. “We get a few like, my dad’s been in it a couple of times. Chris’s dad is in this season. And our brothers so it’s always a bit of a pinch me moment to be doing filming a scene, and you look over your dad’s there in a garda uniform.”
The latest instalment of The Young Offenders is set to premiere on RTÉ Player on Good Friday, April 3rd. For those who prefer to tune in weekly, the show will also air on RTÉ One television, commencing April 4th at 10:30 pm.
The enduring appeal of The Young Offenders lies in its authentic portrayal of friendship, its sharp wit, and its ability to find humour in the most unlikely of situations. As Conor and Jock embark on yet another misadventure, fans can rest assured that the heart of the show – the unbreakable bond between two lovable rogues – remains as strong as ever.
