First look: Main cast and Cork filmmaker confirmed for Boys of Tommen series

Initial casting has been revealed for the adaptation of Cork author Chloe Walsh’s Boys of Tommen series with Prime Video, with newcomers claiming the leading roles.

Prime Video confirms that after a “widespread search”, Nancy Surridge has landed the role of Shannon Lynch, while Conor Sánchez will bring Johnny Kavanagh, the golden boy of Tommen, to life.

James O'Donoghue will take on the role of the troubled but loyal Joey Lynch, and Sophie McGibbon stars as the fiercely confident Aoife Molloy.

Boys of Tommen follows the love story of Johnny Kavanagh, the star rugby player on the verge of a pro career, and Shannon Lynch, the talented but painfully shy new girl at the prestigious private school of Tommen College in Ballylaggin, Ireland. Both teenagers are hiding secrets and through their secret and highly charged connection, the two teens from opposite worlds battle against the odds and find a way to save each other.

The romantic drama series will be adapted for the screen by the producers of   The Summer I Turned Pretty, One Day and Twilight.

VMA-nominated Brendan Canty, who recently directed Christy, will direct the series, while Ingrid Goodwin joins as series producer.

“As someone who grew up in Cork, where these stories are set, this project feels incredibly personal to me,” Canty said.

“Poppy has done an amazing job adapting Chloe’s beloved books, and the way both writers capture young people’s lives with such empathy, tenderness and honesty feels truly extraordinary to me. To do justice to the world they’ve created, we knew that finding the right cast was going to be everything.” 

Canty added they received over 3000 casting suggestions from across the UK and Ireland.

“From the moment Nancy, Conor, James and Sophie walked into the room, it was clear we’d found something beyond special. Each of them brings the spirit and emotional depth this story demands, and I couldn’t be more excited to bring Chloe’s world to the screen with this extraordinary young cast.” 

Series one has been adapted by Poppy Cogan (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder) and will be based on the first two novels in Walsh's bestselling series, Binding 13 and Keeping 13. 

Of the casting news, Cogan said: “It's been a privilege to be entrusted with bringing that world to life. I'm thrilled beyond words that we've found our Shannon, Johnny, Joey and Aoife in Nancy, Conor, James and Sophie — they are the perfect people to embody these roles.”