RTE Autumn season launch sees Tom Vaughan-Lawlor return to Irish TV screens in Dublin Murders

Actor Tom Vaughan-Lawlor is back on the box – on the right side of the law this time.

The actor, best known as crime lord Nidge, stars alongside his Love/Hate co-star Killian Scott in RTE’s new drama Dublin Murders.

However, despite the on-screen reunion Scott, who plays detective Rob Reilly in the show, confirmed that is where the similarity ends.

Speaking at the RTE Autumn Launch, he told the Irish Daily Mirror: “Aside from the appearances of myself and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, it’s just a completely different universe and I don’t really see a connection.

“I’m sure people would like to but I just think they are very different and unique shows in their own respect.”

Sarah Greene, who plays Detective Cassie Maddox in the eight-part series, added: “I don’t think you can compare them or relate them at all.”

Moe Dunford and Ian Kelly have also been cast in leading roles for the new psychological crime thriller for RTE, BBC One and Starz.

Based on the Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French, it has been adapted for the screen by Sarah Phelps.

Series one will blend the first two novels, In the Woods and The Likeness to deliver a dark mystery that digs into the past.

Kicking off with the death of a young talented ballerina, it will focus on two murder investigations led by Detectives Rob Reilly and Maddox.

Also speaking at the launch yesterday, Ryan Tubridy revealed he won’t last as long as Gay Byrne on the Late Late Show.

Despite heading into his 11th year at the helm of the talk show, making him the second longest presenter in the show’s history, Tubs said he can’t see himself making it to Bryne’s 37-year stint.

He said: “I’m hungry for it and I’m passionate about it and I just feel like we can do something with it now because the landscape has changed.

“As of midnight when we get to the end of the show on the 6 September then i’ll be the second longest serving host of the Late Late Show which is a strange mantel but a very big honour in my life.

“I don’t think I’ll do 37 years like Gay [Byrne] but I think I’ll go headlong into my 11th year and get stuck in and not worry about it. Also, it’s not my decision or my call, so.”

Meanwhile, hinting at the possibility of Love Island stars Maura Higgins or Greg O’Shea starring as his first guests when he hits the screens again in September, he added: “I was watching it over the shoulders of youngsters no but like my feeling about that is even if you didn’t watch it, you know that even when it was going down the toilet and people were saying it was boring and it was the worst series of it, what did it take?

“It took an Irish woman from Longford to change it all. She goes on and suddenly the show comes alive. And not even just that it was also won by an Irish man.”

Despite speculation about the return of Dancing With The Stars, it was Brendan O’Connor’s Cutting Edge that faced the chop in RTE’s upcoming autumn schedule.

The show, presented by Brendan O’Connor, featured a panel of three different guests each week discussing the news and talking points of that week.

Confirming the news, an RTE spokesperson said: “We decided to rest it this autumn and we will revisit it in 2020.

“Brendan has a new show in development for 2020.”

Other shows confirmed to be returning for the new season include Room To Improve, Ireland’s Fittest Family, The Young Offenders, and Dancing With The Stars.

Joining the line-up is magician Keith Barry with The Keith Barry Experience and the highly anticipated documentary, Brendan Grace: Thanks for the Memories.

Addressing the speculation surrounding the possible axing of Dancing with the Stars in recent months, Judge Lorraine Barry said: “I personally was never worried because it is so successful and the numbers and the ratings are there I think what they just had to do was sit down and figure out how they were going to make it work.”

Meanwhile, commenting on the axing of rival show Ireland’s Got Talent from Virgin Media’s schedule, fellow judge Brian Redmond said: “It was great to have that show and I think it is a shame that is is gone.

“It is another fabulous entertainment show and I hope it comes back. And i’m sure if Virgin Media could find a way to make it work.

“Because the thing is about our media industry here in Ireland is that it is small.

“It’s just important that all the outlets it’s important that they try to keep those big ticket items, whether it is Dancing With The Stars or whatever it is as part of their line-up.

An Irish period mystery called Dead Still, set in 1880s Ireland, will also join the light up. It is written by John Morton and directed by Imogen Murphy and Craig David Wallace.

RTE has also commissioned four RTE/Screen Ireland comedy pilots including Headcases, starring Seana Kerslake, Bump, starring Charlene McKenna, Dad, the story of a middle-aged dad moving in with his conservative gay son, and Handy, which tells the tale of two stepsisters.

The broadcaster also announced they will tackle climate change over the course of a week of investigations, debates and events.

In sport, Fiona Coughlan joins the rugby commentary team with Jamie Heaslip, Donncha O’Callaghan and Michael Lynagh ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

RTE Investigates will also return with a number of new stories.