The Young Offenders stars Chris Walley and Alex Murphy have reflected on the success of the show, admitting that they did not think it would last as long as it has.
The return for a new series, sees lovable rogues, Conor MacSweeney and Jock O'Keefe reunite having spent time in jail on two different continents. It does not take them long to return to their old habits, as they cause havoc, while still wanting the best for themselves and their families.
The new series, season five sees Conor facing losing the the love of his life, while Jock tries to rebuild his relationship with Star, with attempts to improve their lives seeing them take big risks and crazy plans with locals.
Admitting that he did not expect the show to be such a hit, Alex Murphy who plays Conor, said: "We definitely didn't think we'd be still going to this stage. But because we started off with such low expectations, to the point where Chris thought it would just be a film that was on YouTube and everything after that was just a bonus. Like there was no script".
He continued: "We just were told it was two young Cork fellas trying to make a bit of money and then the script was kind of developed through that".
"We just were told it was two young Cork fellas trying to make a bit of money and then the script was kind of developed through that".
At this point, Chris Walley, who plays Jock, added: "I remember being in the first year of drama school, and I was going into second year and we found out that we were getting a TV series".
"And I was like, I just couldn't quite wrap my head around it because I'd only ever really seen that happen a few times", he added. "And obviously, like, This Is England was one of those shows that went from a film to a series. That's not really a traditional route. So when that was happening for us, it was like, Oh, my God. And I think it was when we were at drama school, so we were like, geez, this is working very well".
Walley went on to say that it was "the gift that keeps on giving".
Elsewhere, Chis Walley revealed that he and Murphy and great friends off the screen, which often helps them when it comes to filming.
"Myself and Alex being such good friends really understand each other so well that, you know, we have a lot of silliness and come out with some pretty silly things dancing back and forth", he added. "So I kind of think there's whether it's a good thing or a bad thing, there’s unfortunately no end to us just coming out with outrageous things and improv scenes".
Alex Murphy commented: "We do pull a few strings now that we're on season five. We get a few like, my dad's been in it a couple of times. Chris's dad is in this season".
He joked: "And our brothers so it's always a bit of a pinch me moment to be doing filming a scene, and you look over your dad's there in a garda uniform".
The new series of The Young Offenders will be available on RTÉ Player on Good Friday (3 April), while it will air on television on April 4 at 10.30 pm.
The new series will also feature our very own PJ Gallgher from Morning Glory With PJ & Jim, who plays Principal Barry Walsh in the series.
