Ciarán Hinds is set to star in new RTÉ drama The Dry, after receiving his first Academy Award nomination for Kenneth Branagh's Belfast earlier this month in the Best Supporting Actor category.

The show chronicles the life of Shiv Sheridan, played by Roisin Gallagher, as she faces her family, her new reality and the world of sobriety.

After years of self-destruction in London, Sheridan returns to Dublin with the full intention of staying "dry". However, real life proves to be much more challenging than expected, as her and those around her attempt to dodge life's complications.

Alongside Hinds, The Dry stars actors Pom Boyd, Siobhán Cullen, Moe Dunford and Adam Richardson, and was written by playwright and screenwriter Nancy Harris. The series is directed by Paddy Breathnach, who is known for Viva and Rosie. 

"I came up with the idea for The Dry over a couple of years, as like a lot of people, addiction has touched my life in different ways," said Harris.

"However, every time I'd ever seen addiction represented on screen, it had always been in the most extreme way, such as somebody in rehab. I was interested in exploring the ordinary reality of being sober, and of finding the humour in suddenly having to navigate the emotional minefields and absurdities of family life - all while trying not to drink."

Element pictures is producing, in association with Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and ITV Studios. The series will be available to watch on RTÉ and Britbox.

Dermot Horan, director of acquisitions for for RTÉ said about the project, "Nancy Harris's writing, brought to the screen by director Paddy Breathnach and a great cast have made The Dry a really special series about a very typical Irish family and the multiple issues they have to deal with."

Here’s your first look at brand new comedy-drama series The Dry, coming v soon to RTÉ 👀

Starring Roisin Gallagher and Oscar nominee Ciarán Hinds; we cannot wait for this one 🥳 #TheDry pic.twitter.com/8w0zBissYh

— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) February 15, 2022