Aidan Gillen has been cast as legendary comedian Dave Allen in a new biopic commissioned by the BBC in association with RTÉ.
The 49-year-old, whose Game of Thrones character Littlefinger was killed off on the season seven finale of the hit HBO series, will also be joined by comedian Tommy Tiernan, who will play Dave’s (Aidan) father.
Dave Allen, who passed away in March 2005, was one of the most popular but also controversial comedians of his time, enjoying a 40 year career including shows on both ITV and the BBC.
Pauline McLynn and Ian McElhinney have also been cast in the biopic, as well as Joanne Crawford (Line of Duty), Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones), Simon Day (The Fast Show) and Robert Bathurst (Cold Feet).
Filming for Dave Allen at Peace, which will be an hour long one-off biopic, will start this month in Northern Ireland, and will be produced by Darlow Smithson Productions.
The film will explore how Dave’s comedy genius was shaped by the tragic loss of his father, his brother… and his finger. How he survived decades of the Roman Catholic Church’s wrath, death threats from the IRA and a TV ban, only to have his television career end in controversy when he used the f-word in an innocuous joke.
Written by Stephen Russell (We’re Doomed: The Dad’s Army Story, Peaky Blinders) the film will be structured in affectionate homage to Dave’s original television format.
RTÉ Head of Comedy Eddie Doyle said, “Dave Allen was one of the greatest comedians Ireland ever produced. It is fitting that Tommy Tiernan also features in this show because Dave’s style, which was ahead of its time, informed the next generation of comedians.
“Those of us who grew up watching him on the telly are looking forward to seeing Aiden bring Dave’s story to the screen. We’re very excited to be working with the BBC on this project.”
