Cork actor who plays Billy Murphy in The Young Offenders: "I’m protective of him”

IT’S hard to believe four years have passed since The Young Offenders last appeared on our TV screens.

On Friday, the show returns for its fourth season, bringing its unique combination of comedy and heart to audiences at home and abroad.

The show has made Alex Murphy and Chris Walley, who play titular offenders Conor MacSweeney and Jock O’Keeffe, into stars, but it’s not just the leads who have become household names.

The ensemble cast, including Hilary Rose and Dominic McHale, has received plenty of plaudits, but it’s arguably Shane Casey, who plays the beloved, off-the-wall Billy Murphy, who has really captured hearts since the franchise began in 2016, with the film.

The new TV season starts on BBC1 this Friday, May 10, and Casey says he jumped at the chance to return when the fourth series got the go-ahead.

“It was the best decision I ever made to get involved with the show. When Peter Foott (the creator) persuaded me to do the film, I only had three or four days on set. It was a low-budget thing, but the man had alchemy and showed Cork in all its glory.

“I remember seeing the film at the London Film Festival, and people were gasping about how beautiful Cork was.”

Casey says Foott’s dedication to his native Cork is as evident as ever.

It is something Peter has kept in season after season, no matter what kind of skulduggery Conor and Jock are getting up to; Cork is always beautiful, whether it’s the Lee Fields by Fitzgerald’s Park or down in Kinsale, which we have this season, the beauty of Cork is shown.

“I didn’t even have to think about it; as soon as Peter asked, I was in.”

Casey is devout in his passion for his home county, but it’s not just the Cork love that keeps him signing on; it’s his love of the cast, who have become like family.

“We’re all good friends, especially Alex and Dominic [McHale, who plays Garda Healy]. I have a sister, but I never had any older brothers or younger brothers, but it feels like I’m stepping on set with my brothers.

“I feel very protective of Alex and Chris. They were only kids when we started making the television series. It was their first gig, and I am so proud of everything they have achieved within The Young Offenders.”

Casey is a cheerleader for their work outside the show, like Walley’s Olivier Award for his role in The Lieutenant Of Inishmore, and he is excited about Murphy’s projects.

It is more than just a job, says Casey. The show has brought him good friends and opportunities - such as writing his own material and living in his home town.

It opened up a whole world and brought me full circle back to Cork city. I get to live in Cork, work on my plays and do drama workshops in schools. It’s opened so many doors, helped me get agents, and given me so many friends. It’s hard to put into words what it’s done for me.

Things have changed a little in the new season; Conor and Jock are a little older; their antics, no less fun to watch, have more serious consequences. Casey says the female characters on the show come into their own as they deal with the fall-out from the lads’ antics.

“The female characters are paying the price for the crimes of the young offenders. Jennifer [Barry] and Demi [Isaac Oviawe] are really strong actors, and they’ve grown into their own as their characters.

“The supporting cast gets more to chew on in different ways this season. I won’t say much about it; I don’t want to give anything away.”

It wasn’t hard for Casey to find his character after the four-year gap; he just donned Billy’s iconic tracksuit.

“Once I put on the grey track pants, the vest, and the miraculous medal around my neck, Billy comes back. It’s not a very attractive outfit, but it is part of the character’s appeal.

“He’s flawed, but everybody knows a Billy Murphy, whether you’re from Mayfield or Rochestown. I’m very protective of him. Sometimes, I have kids who come up to me and ask me about something I did as Billy, and I have to remind them I am just an actor, but that’s a testament to the show if they think Billy is real.”

Casey says local support while filming is huge, even when they are holding up traffic or running through someone’s garden.

The warmth we have felt from the city over the last eight years has been immense. Every time we film in the streets or work in the housing estates, whether Mayfield or The Glen, people are patient and take great pride in the fact that something’s happening in their city.

Between Cillian Murphy bringing all the gold statuettes back to Cork, Eanna Hardwicke collecting acting awards left, right and centre, and Walley’s Olivier Award, all eyes are on Cork’s acting community. Where is this well of talent coming from?

“There is definitely something in the water,” says Casey. “It could be in the Tanora, the Original 7, the Murphys or the Beamish, but it’s definitely there. It is different from my time when you would do a play for free, then you might do another play, and you would build experience.

“There are more college courses now, but more opportunities are something we need to encourage so the kids that are coming out of college get a chance to do more plays in the venues within Cork.”

The actor says there are good outreach programs at the Everyman, the Opera House, and the likes of Graffiti Theatre and Cyclone Rep, as well as the CTC at the Triskel, but he says it is essential funding stays in place.

“Their success gives us all an opportunity; someone gets to hear our names or see our work because we’re in the same show as an award winner, or someone who has worked with Cillian might be more willing to take a chance on an actor from Cork because of how well he has represented us. 

Success for some can only be a positive thing for all.

Casey also says Cork allows actors from diverse backgrounds to train and work. 

“There is more balance than when I was starting out, and I’m representing my working-class background. I love that the kids in different areas are getting a greater share of the opportunities.”

Casey hopes The Young Offenders will have more seasons, not least for what it brings to the city.

“It would be fantastic if we got to do another season. It brings a lot of money into the city.

“You have the actors, but you also have the drivers, the caterers, security, and so many elements behind the scenes.

“There’s a great buzz around the place when we are filming. Long may that continue.”

The Young Offenders season four starts on Friday, May 10, on BBC1 at 9.30pm.