Colm Meaney in talks to play Martin McGuinness in The Journey
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Version 0 of 1. Irish actor Colm Meaney may join the cast of high-profile Troubles drama The Journey, starring as Martin McGuinness opposite Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley in the story of the two Northern Ireland political titans’ unlikely friendship. The BBC reports that Meaney, 62, is in advanced talks to sign up for the Oscar-bait project. Spall confirmed he would play firebrand former Democratic Unionist Party leader last month. The Irishman is best known for his role on television as chief Miles O’Brien from Star Trek: The Next Generation, , and on the big screen for portrayals in The Commitments, Con Air and Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa. Related: Timothy Spall to play Ian Paisley in Troubles drama The Journey Nick Hamm’s film will present a fictional take on the relationship between Paisley and McGuinness, the erstwhile sworn enemies who became closer in 2007 when they served together on the Northern Ireland Assembly, Paisley as first minister and McGuinness as his deputy. Meaney is politically close to the real-life McGuinness, a key figure within Sinn Féin, having supported his bid for president of Ireland in 2011 and spoken alongside him at rallies. Spall won the best actor prize at Cannes 2014 for his role as the painter JMW Turner in Mike Leigh’s critically acclaimed Mr Turner. Hamm, best known for 2001’s The Hole and 2011’s Killing Bono, is set to direct The Journey from a screenplay by County Down-born novelist and screenwriter Colin Bateman (Divorcing Jack). Previous reports suggested the film will shoot in mid-September on location in Northern Ireland and Scotland. |