BBC Northern Ireland’s bold new series with Blue Lights star ‘will have audiences falling in love’

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Diona Doherty, known for her role in Blue Lights, is creating a new romantic comedy series set in Northern Ireland called Committed. The show will follow the love story between her character, Julie Johnston, and Peter Hooley, who will be played by Dustin Milligan of Schitt’s Creek.

BBC Northern Ireland’s Jason Butler calls the new series a fresh and engaging comedy that viewers will quickly adore. The show centers on Peter Hooley, a divorced accountant from Canada, who meets and falls for Julie Johnston during a short trip to Toronto. He impulsively moves to Northern Ireland to win her over, only to find himself in a quirky, old-fashioned rural village vastly different from what he expected.

I’m so excited about this new series! From what I’ve heard, it’s not just about falling in love, but what happens after that initial spark. It’s about the messy, real-life stuff that happens when a relationship really begins, and how people navigate that. It sounds super relatable!

Diona Doherty in Blue Lights

This series is fundamentally about the experience of pushing your boundaries and discovering how connections with unexpected people can enrich your life in surprising ways.

Currently in production, the show Committed is a collaboration between Keith Martin, Gerry Dee, and Tim Loane, who is also overseeing the series. Filming is happening in County Down, Northern Ireland, with some scenes also being shot in Hamilton, Ontario.

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The romantic comedy will also feature Ian McElhinney, known for his role in Derry Girls, alongside stars Doherty and Milligan. Joining them are Dan Gordon and Patrick Buchanan, who both appeared in Blue Lights.

The cast also includes Muki Zubis, known for This Is Going to Hurt, Seamus O’Hara from House of Guinness, Athena Karkanis of The Handmaid’s Tale, Georgie Murphy who starred in Gen V, and Chris McCurry, recognized for his work in Belfast.

Diona Doherty in Blue Lights

Keith Martin, from Fabel Productions, said they’re thrilled to introduce viewers to the quirky and endearing characters and their unusual small town in this new project. He describes the show as playfully eccentric and full of lovable oddballs.

“Wait until you see our amazingly talented Canadian and beloved homegrown cast. A dream!”

The new series will premiere on BBC Northern Ireland in winter 2027, and will be available on CBC and its free streaming service, CBC Gem, around the same time.

The latest issue of Living Legends, a beautifully illustrated 100-page tribute to Sir David Attenborough, is now available! You can purchase it at newsstands or online.

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2026-04-24 17:19