House of Guinness stars confirmed to unite for “dynamic, loud, and uncompromising” Belfast-set drama based on award-winning novel

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Channel 4 is creating a four-part drama series adapted from Michael Magee’s popular first novel, Close to Home. The show, also titled Close to Home, will feature a strong cast, including Anthony Boyle and Seamus O’Hara, known for their work in House of Guinness, alongside Jessica Reynolds (A Woman of Substance) and Oisín Thompson (Trespasses).

Robert Boyle will play Sean, a young man who returns to his hometown of Belfast after finishing university. He quickly falls back into his old ways, including staying out all night, constantly borrowing money, and struggling to make ends meet with temporary jobs that never quite work out.

He’s returned home to his brother and mother, to a place filled with unspoken family history. It’s a town where the hoped-for benefits of peace haven’t materialized, and every corner holds a story. One night, Sean attacks someone at a party, and his life quickly spirals out of control.

As a movie and TV fanatic, I’d say this series really dives into the wild side of being young – all the freedom and excess that comes with it. But it’s not just fun and games; it’s about a whole generation coming of age in a city still healing from a difficult past. It’s a really powerful story about first love, dealing with tough experiences, and figuring out where you belong in a place that’s been through so much.

When Channel 4 announced it would be adapting his novel for television, author Magee shared how much he enjoyed the process. He said it was a dream come true and expressed his gratitude to Michael Dawson and Clare Dwyer Hogg for their work on the scripts. He also thanked Diarmuid Goggins, Gemma Boswell, and the entire team at Element and Channel 4 for their dedication and creativity in bringing his story to the screen.

Diarmuid Goggins, known for his work on Code of Silence, will direct the series. It’s being produced by Element Pictures, the award-winning company behind shows like Pillion, Bugonia, and Normal People.

Although we don’t have a release date for Close to Home yet, filming is scheduled to begin in Belfast later this month, and more actors will be announced soon.

Actor Tom Boyle recently appeared in the Netflix drama House of Guinness. He’s also well-known for his work in Say Nothing, the Apple TV series Masters of the Air, Manhunt, and Disney+’s Shardlake.

Actor O’Hara will play Anthony, Sean’s brother, in the series Close to Home. He’s previously worked with fellow actor Boyle on shows like Say Nothing and House of Guinness, and is also recognized for his work in Blue Lights.

Hannah Reynolds, known to many as Malva Christie in Outlander, has also appeared in House of Guinness and Kneecap, and will lead the cast of Channel 4’s A Woman of Substance. She will play Mairéad, a longtime friend of Sean, in Close to Home. Joining her is Eoin Thompson, recently seen in the Northern Irish drama Trespasses, who will play Ryan, another of Sean’s friends, in the series.

Channel 4’s Gemma Boswell said they’re thrilled to adapt Mick’s acclaimed novel for television. ‘Close To Home’ offers a moving look at life in West Belfast through the character of Sean, brilliantly played by Anthony Boyle. We’re excited to share Mick’s wonderful writing and this relevant story about a young generation figuring out their place in the world.

Executive producer Michael Dawson praises Mick’s first novel as a vibrant and captivating portrayal of life in Belfast, full of energy, heart, and playful trouble. He believes Diarmuid Goggins is the ideal director to adapt it, noting Goggins’ talent for combining striking, dynamic imagery with a realistic and authentic style – precisely what the story needs.

We’re excited to create a TV show that captures the energy and spirit of the city, and we couldn’t do it without the amazing Anthony Boyle and our partners at Channel 4, Fremantle, NI Screen, and Screen Ireland.

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Close to Home will be coming to Channel 4.

Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing and freelancing, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature.

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2026-02-13 14:05