Set in 1985, when the home video revolution is in full analogue swing, Video Nasty tells the story of three mostly-normal-but-kind-of-weird teenagers who go on an epic quest to complete a cult VHS collection, only to get mixed up in a murder investigation, becoming chief suspects and public enemies.
Video Nasty is a darkly comic drama with a strain of murder mystery. It explores family, identity and censorship, as well as moral panic, culture wars, intergenerational misunderstandings and learning to accept yourself.
Shot entirely on location in counties Monaghan, Cavan and Tyrone, Video Nasty is created and written by Hugh Travers (The South Westerlies, Dead and Beautiful, Red Rock) and directed by Christopher Smith (Creep, Triangle, Severance) and Megan K Fox (Too Good to be True).
The young cast includes Justin Daniels Anene (Sanctuary, The Tourist), Cal O’Driscoll (September Says, Sanctuary) and Leia Murphy (Fair City, Small Town, Big Story) as well as Oliver Finnegan (Outlander, We are Lady Parts). Additional cast include Valerie O’Connor (Sanctuary: A Witches Tale), Declan Rodgers (Patrick Melrose), Simone Kirby (His Dark Materials) and Emmanuel Ighodaro (Shameless).
Producer Ailish McElmeel said of the shoot: “Our fantastic cast and crew worked incredibly hard to bring Hugh’s scarily funny scripts to screen, helmed by the talented Chris Smith and Megan K Fox. I can’t wait for audiences to see the fruits of their labour.”
Video Nasty is produced by Deadpan Pictures in association with Boat Rocker with support from Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán and Northern Ireland Screen. Series Producer is Ailish McElmeel (Northern Lights, Can’t Cope Won’t Cope) and it is produced by Julie Baines (Something in the Water, Triangle).
The series is executive produced by writer, Hugh Travers and David Fortier, Ivan Schneeberg, Nick Nantell, and Erik Pack for Boat Rocker, Eddie Doyle and Raphaëlle O’Loan for BBC, Frank Tönsmann for WDR, SWR and NDR (FabFiction-Initiative), Nada Cirjanic for Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Ailish McElmeel, Paul Donovan and Marc Lorber for Deadpan Pictures.
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Justin Daniels Anene (Billy)
How would you describe Video Nasty?
It’s a coming-of-age story really – a beautiful tale of two teenagers letting go of their childhood.
Who do you play?
I’m Billy, whose father is Nigerian and mother is Irish. As his mum isn’t around, he’s had a close relationship with his dad – they’re more like friends. That really impacts his way of thinking. He’s initially very focused, almost narrow-minded, to what he wants in the world. But over the course of the story he opens his mind.
How did you approach the character?
To me the key was his attitude. At the beginning, Billy portrays himself as confident but that’s really just a mask as, inside, he’s a scared little boy. Obviously, he grew up without a mother and I think that impacts his way of thinking, especially in terms of how he deals with people. Emotionally, Billy bottles everything up. As an actor, I’m constantly trying to get into his head and figure out what he’s hiding.
Where do the ‘videos nasties’ come in?
Billy and his best friend Con bond over the films. It’s what ties them together initially. But Billy eventually learns that there’s more to life than video nasties, and maybe he can make more friends and live life without them.
Is it true that you and Cal (who plays Con) are friends in real life?
It is! I’ve worked with Cal twice before, and he’s been my best mate for years. Although we nearly fell out over this. When I was first approached by the show I rang Cal excitedly. But I told him I’d been given the role of Con by mistake, which is what he been asked to audition for. He was heartbroken!
How would you describe Video Nasty?
I’d say it is just so beautifully written. I hadn’t read anything like this before. Hugh took a lot of risks in the script, and this ‘not playing safe’ sets it apart from other shows. There’s action, comedy, romance – something for everyone.
Did you do much research?
Cal and I watched some video nasties…we didn’t get through too many though as they were pretty grim! I looked at threads online about guys who grew up without a mother and how they coped. Most of the grown men said that if a woman came into their life they’d just gravitate to them, even if it wasn’t the right person for them. I think that was so useful for me playing Billy.
Did your background in wrestling help you?
I started professional wrestling when I was 13. Every bout is a like a choregraphed fight, which really helped me doing action scenes. The most exciting stunt was a fight scene in a slurry pit. There were drills involved, we were scraping at each other and punching each other. It felt like a real brawl. Even long after we finished the adrenaline was still pumping through me.
Cal O’Driscoll (Con)
How would you describe a video nasty?
Video nasties were films that were banned in the 1980s for being too violent and explicit. This show is about three teenagers who go on a journey to complete their cult VHS collection and they end up going on a horror show of their very own.
Was it odd working with Justin, who you know so well?
It’s funny doing a TV show with your real-life best friend - hilarious at times. Justin and I actually used to watch movies in a converted shed by my home. So, when the script came through we thought: “We need to get these parts”. It felt like the characters were written for us. I’d say that there’s a lot of Justin and I that is very similar to our characters, which makes the on-screen chemistry easy and natural. We always know each other’s thinking, which is funny – almost weird. I even know when he’s just looking at me.
How would you describe Con?
Con is an affable people-pleaser, but underneath it all he is a shy and awkward teenager. He has a lot of plans that he doesn’t share with his best friend. At the outset Con is more of a follower, but then has to stand up and lead for himself – not always successfully. He learns to be honest with his friends and family, to tell them how he feels.
Did you sample any video nasties yourself?
Yeah, I watched a lot with my dad, who was the age of my character in 1984. That was extremely weird! I saw Suspiria, The Omen, Nightmares in a Damaged Brain – they’re all very gory and violent…and explicit! They’re great, but I’m not sure if I would recommend them for everyone.
What can viewers expect from Video Nasty?
You can expect a lot of awkward and funny teenage moments. It is quite sad too though, so expect to cry. And it’s really, really scary. We don’t hold back! The show starts as a comedy but does turn into more of a horror film as it progresses.
And the hardest part of the show for you?
Well, Con is a ball of energy which can be exhausting, And with that energy comes a lot of vulnerable moments - and very emotional moments. He doesn’t really know who he is and is scared to find out. Suppressing all this emotion in this big energetic character has probably been the most trying part of the role, and the most rewarding.
Leia Murphy (Zoe)
Tell us about Zoe?
Zoe is fiery, headstrong and quick-witted. She is popular at school but is dealing with stuff at home that she’s trying to keep under wraps. I’d say she wants to appear fun and normal to her peers, but is looking for an escape from this period of hellish adolescence in her life. Zoe’s emotional journey is as just as twisty as her physical journey. She starts with a facade, but this comes down over the course of the adventure and she finds ways of connecting with the boys, who are on the opposite of her social scale. The character starts off as the boss but eventually learns to hand over the reins a little.
What attracted you to the role?
When I first saw the script I was so excited because the characters came through the pages so loud and strong. I was instantly seeing Zoe’s attitude, and even her look. I thought the characters spoke very true to the life-or-death mentalities of teenagers. Zoe especially encapsulates the feeling of being on the cusp of adulthood, desperate to get out and be her own person.
Is the story very specific to the 1980s?
Not at all. The notion of moral panic in the show speaks to the kind of world we live in now – especially with how quickly we are subjected to people’s opinions and propaganda with such volume on social media. It’s also about how easy it is for young people to be convinced and be given a perception before they even have had a chance to make their own opinions about things. So we’re reflecting a lot of the issues we’re actually facing today.
Did you do much research then?
I did, including spending time chatting with my mum and dad about the music they listened to at the time. My parents played a big role in finding the teenage world of Dublin in the ’80s. I went through loads of photos with them. The costumes really helped too, as well as informing my character. Zoe is quite loud and hardened on the outside, so we have loads of accessories and lots of denim. There’s a vulnerability within her that she hides with the armour of her clothes, make-up and her hair. It’s been really fun wearing lots of ’80s stuff, they’re so colourful.
How would you describe the show?
I think you’d have to say that Video Nasty is different in the way it walks the line between comedy and horror. It never lets you settle into either. There’s some really cool sets, brilliant costumes and crazy camera angles. The show is about adolescence, friendship, escape and love. It has lots of laughs, and a lot of jump scares that you really don’t see coming!
Valerie O’Connor (Maureen)
Do you see Video Nasty as a comedy or a horror?
It’s a little of both really. There is comedy here, but it’s very subtle. Originally I didn’t expect it to be so frightening. But watching some scenes really made me jump - it was like watching Scream and you realise the call is coming from inside the house! The jump scares really do make you jump. For me though it’s more just an adventure which is all about family. It’s a show you could sit down with teenagers and watch. Sometimes, when you have kids, it’s hard to find something for everyone. This has a nice mix of having a laugh and a fright.
And it’s set in the 1980s?
Yeah, Maureen’s relationship with her children is steeped in 1980s Ireland. Her big weapon is simply to ‘ground’ them. Hopefully, today we talk more to our children about their feelings. In 1980s Ireland the parents were the parents, and the kids did what they were told. It’s funny as, because there’s no mobile phones, everyone is forced to speak to each other. That gives the show a quality we don’t see anymore. The whole thing is that, in those days, couples didn’t talk about their feelings. They each got on with things, and they each had their roles. It’s interesting to go back to when the husband goes out, the wife stays at home, and there’s frustrations on both sides that remain unsaid.
That’s not the only link between your mum and the story, is it?
It’s not. My mother’s from Monaghan, where we shot most of the show. In fact, where we stayed during the shoot is a 60 second walk from where my mum was born. A couple of my cousins even came on as extras in the show.
What are your thoughts on the script?
Hugh Travers is a cracking writer. Everything zips along and he never overwrites, so it feels so natural. I never had to say “Maureen would never say that”. I read all the scripts in one sitting and loved them instantly. It was sharp and witty and the characters and story were so rich and unique. Maureen has been a joy to play .
What do you like about her?
She’s so feisty, not a wilting violet mother. Maureen runs a tight ship, it’s her way or the highway. And then when that doesn’t work it’s so enjoyable to play the scenes where there’s a tension and the couple’s irritations come out. I’ve never laughed so much in my life!
You sound as if you enjoyed the shoot?
Completely. Chris was always full of suggestions – and always good fun and so positive. The fact that we would all want to go out together for dinner after shooting is a great sign.
Declan Rodgers (Frank)
How would you describe Video Nasty?
My best attempt at describing the show would be it is a comedy drama set in the 1980s with a horror backdrop. It has a lot of wit and a lot heart, thanks to Hugh Travers' terrific writing. The backdrop of ’80s Ireland and rural England gives the show a really interesting and engaging overall aesthetic - think Stranger Things mixed with The Goonies, now throw in the Irish humour/sensibility and you won't be far off.
It certainly was a different time, wasn’t it?
Yeah, it really was. I couldn't help but think of my own childhood while filming the series and thinking back to some of those similarities. I think the depictions of married life and those family dynamics ring true from that time. There may have been a lot going on emotionally within families across the country but there was always a way of ignoring it and ‘getting on’ with your everyday life. Frank faces plenty of these inner obstacles and that's as much as I'll say there.
As well as censorship of course. What are your thoughts on that?
Censorship is important and is needed but I think that we also need to keep an eye on it. The world is edging ever closer to what George Orwell foresaw in 1984 (with some countries already living it). Diplomatically, I think we need to be mindful of censorship on the whole.
How would you describe the bond between you and the other actors?
We all became very close and have stayed pretty close, even though we don't see each other as much (the WhatsApp group is lively). The three grown-ups - that would be myself, Valerie and Emmanuel - spent a lot of time together, both on and off-screen. We developed a really lovely group dynamic, and I think that chemistry is up there on the screen to see. The show is filled with great actors who are also just great people to be around - everything just clicked and a lot of that is down to Louise Kiely's casting team.
Emmanuel Ighodaro (Abe)
Tell us about Abe?
Abe is a Nigerian who’s been living in Ireland for 20 years. He’s just trying to make a living and have a relatively normal life. But he is reeling from his separation, which happened just before our story kicks in. Abe has a lot of emotions that he hasn’t processed or dealt with. Things are leaking out of him as he struggles to make sense of his life, and his son Billy seems to get the brunt of this.
Censorship plays a big part in the show, what are your thoughts on the subject?
In terms of young people, censorship should be taken very seriously. I was introduced to An American Werewolf in London when I was only nine. It scared the hell out of me – stayed with me for a long time. I’d wake up in night sweats! In that respect young people should be protected. But for older people, if you tell them not to do something they will find a way of doing it – as we see in the show.
How did you form the character of Abe?
In many ways, it's a world I knew very well. I’m a second generation Nigerian and grew up with these people. I brought a lot from my past experiences to that character. The directors were so keen for us to take what we know. I hope to do Nigerians proud.
And how was working with the other actors?
Incredible. Valerie and Declan are cracking actors, very generous and open. Our scenes have been like three mates who’ve known each other for ever. Justin, who plays my son Billy, is a character. He reminds me of so many people I grew up with. It was nice for us to talk about the similarities we had growing up as he’s from a Nigerian background too.
What originally attracted you to Video Nasty?
It’s hard to be original today, but this show packs such a punch and goes off in so many different directions that the audience can never relax. There’s always the feeling that the rug will be pulled from under you. So it offers a fun, thrilling time, with lots of twists and turns, and such a mixture of characters and energies. It’s a nice mash-up of genres from comedy to horror, which I think will appeal to a vast amount of people. This script was a total page-turner for me. I found myself stealing away into a corner just to see what was going to happen.
Oliver Finnegan (Topher)
How would you explain Video Nasty?
Well, it’s about video nasties – which were horror films or exploitation movies on VHS that were banned for being too explicit, having too much gore or violence. Our show is primarily about three teenagers living in Dublin who make their way to England to complete their video nasty collection. My character, Topher, is an 18-year-old living in Derbyshire who is incredibly shy, timid and awkward. He’s a bit of an oddball, and appears to have very strict moral attitudes, mostly due to the fact his mother is an authoritarian figure. He is basically driven by fear of her.
What were your first impressions of the show?
From the outset Hugh’s scripts made me excited. They were just so adventurous and chaotic. The show addresses censorship as well as a few other issues. But perhaps you could say that hypocrisy is the main theme of the story rather than censorship. There’s so many references to the ’80s that I had no idea about – especially the movies and pop culture. I spent a lot of time reading up on the era in advance. There was a lot to look at because the series touches on so much within that time. I read up about cults as well as researching horror movies and religion. There was also a small village that the story is loosely based on, which was interesting. When you’re playing a character who has grown up in this environment all his life, and knows nothing else, I felt it was important to drill the details into me… no pun intended!
What can the audience expect?
Something very different. I haven’t seen a show like Video Nasty before - one that is so funny and horrific at the same time. Viewers can expect to be brought on a rollercoaster ride I think. What’s exciting is the differences between the characters and how they clash. There’s the clan from Dublin, then this weird thing going on in the little village. And then the worried parents come into the mix as well.
What memories will you take away?
In terms of standout scenes, Topher’s introduction into the story will certainly stick with me. I love that part of the story – he meets the others very suddenly, and it’s shocking for both sets. There’s so many different age ranges within the cast, and we all had opportunities for playing beside each other, which was amazing. Watching Justin, Leia and Cal work together was really funny, they just hit off each other so well.