‘An t-Eilean’: Why the BBC Is Betting on the U.K.’s First Gaelic Prestige Drama Series ‘The Island’

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Titled “The Island“, this acclaimed crime drama unfolds on Scotland’s Western Isles and premiered Tuesday night on BBC iPlayer streaming service and BBC Alba, a free-to-air Scottish Gaelic channel jointly owned by the U.K.’s public broadcaster and MG Alba. “Alba” means “Scotland”, while “An t-Eilean” is reported to be the U.K.’s first-ever high-end Gaelic drama series.

This production not only breaks records as the largest Gaelic drama in BBC Alba’s history, but it is also reported by The Guardian as the most expensive series ever produced in Scots Gaelic, with an estimated budget of £1 million ($1.2 million) per episode.

The four-episode series, stretching 50 minutes each, is characterized as an emotionally charged narrative filled with deception, sorrow, and hidden truths. Starring Sorcha Groundsell (known for her roles in His Dark Materials, Shetland, and The Innocents), the story follows Kat Crichton, a Family Liaison Officer who is given a murder case on Lewis and Harris – an island in the Outer Hebrides that she abandoned 10 years prior. This assignment comes from her superior, Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Ahmed Halim, played by Sagar Radia, star of the hit HBO-BBC drama Industry.

Investigation is required into the “gruesome murder of Sir Douglas Maclean’s wife,” portrayed by Iain Macrae (Bannan), at a secluded island mansion, which appears to be linked to an unsuccessful burglary. However, Kat, who has a history with Sir Douglas and his troubled family, believes that despite being injured in the incident, the self-made millionaire is involved somehow. As per the summary, Kat gets embroiled in the complex Maclean family dynamics, consisting of four adult children: Eilidh (Sinéad Macinnes – Outlander), Calum (Andrew Macinnes), Sìne (Meredith Brook – Bannan) and Ruaraidh (Sam James Smith). This forces Kat to face her own past, as she delves back in time to a glamorous New Year gathering a decade ago, where the origins of the mystery seem to be hidden.

Filmed on-site, such as at Amhuinnsuidhe Castle – a 19th-century private estate turned hotel – the series An t-Eilean, or The Island, is produced by Black Camel Pictures for BBC Alba and BBC iPlayer, in collaboration with All3Media International. It has received financial support from MG Alba, All3Media International, Screen Scotland, and Black Camel itself.

The series titled “Arracht” was created by Nicholas Osborne and Patsi Mackenzie, directed by Tom Sullivan. It was overseen by Arabella Page Croft and Nicole Fitzpatrick as executive producers, while Kieran Parker and Bjorn Hanson served as producers under Black Camel. The music comes from Icelandic composer Biggi Hilmars. This gripping drama airs every week at 9 p.m. U.K. time on BBC Ala and the BBC iPlayer, with episode 2 available to stream as well. It is being distributed worldwide by All3Media International.

Tim Davie, head of the BBC, openly expresses his enthusiasm and faith in the upcoming series. In fact, the BBC hints at the possibility of a fresh genre emerging, which they’ve termed as “Gaelic Noir.

The show incorporates the Gaelic language, with English subtitles provided, as a result of the popularity of non-English films and series like Squid Game, Parasite, various Scandinavian shows, and Hinterland (Y Gwyll) from the BBC in Welsh. Moreover, younger audiences are increasingly comfortable with watching content that includes subtitles due to platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. This trend also helps revitalize languages that were once considered unsuitable for mainstream entertainment.

Groundsell shared during an interview for the show’s press pack that he was drawn to An t-Eilean because it offered him a chance to work with Gaelic, something he had never done before. He felt this was a unique opportunity to reconnect with a culture and places that hold significant meaning in his personal life.

She shared about her upbringing: “For the initial nine years of my life, I resided on the Isle of Lewis, evidently in a community where Gaelic was predominantly spoken. My educational journey also took place within Gaelic schools – first in Lewis and then in Glasgow. Thus, my entire academic background has been immersed in the Gaelic language. Currently, my parents dwell in the Outer Hebrides as we are originally from there. This heritage carries a significant emotional weight in my life. Maintaining it can be challenging when one resides in a bustling city like London, which is why this opportunity to return feels incredibly fitting.

Sinéad Macinnes expressed her feelings by saying, “I had never come across anything being created in Gaelic in this way before. It was an incredibly thrilling experience. I believe anyone who speaks Gaelic and acts would be eager to be a part of such a historically significant moment for Gaelic television. It’s just a really engaging story. For years, many have been suggesting that there should be a murder noir series set in the Western Isles. The landscape seems tailor-made for it.

As a fan, I’m thrilled to share that the actress revealed her first Gaelic TV role and acting job in Gaelic since she performed Gaelic theater at age nine with “An t-Eilean”. She admitted her initial apprehension about performing in Gaelic, but was delighted to find that she pulled it off. She considers this a significant personal milestone. It’s been an enjoyable experience, from start to finish, she said, as it allowed her to cultivate a part of herself that rarely gets attention.

Without a doubt, the series holds significant value for the wider Gaelic-speaking population as well. Groundsell expressed, “It carries immense importance and I believe it’s long overdue.” He continued, “I think this is an incredibly inspiring and essential moment to truly embrace our language and culture and celebrate its beauty. I feel it’s time we wholeheartedly celebrate it.

Macinnes emphasized the significance of creating large-scale Scottish Gaelic dramas. She stated, “On an international level, I believe it’s crucial for this to be visible, given our long history of resisting cultural erasure. It’s a unique opportunity for us to shine on a global stage.” Additionally, she highlighted the importance of this program featuring a contemporary blend of Gaelic and English dialogue, as many people speak Gaelic in this manner, myself included, and I haven’t seen that combination yet.

Macrae emphasized that large-scale Gaelic dramas from Scotland have not been presented thus far. He believes it’s past due for Gaelic drama to receive a broader stage than it has had in the past, as its visibility has been somewhat limited until now. However, he thinks it’s crucial for the global audience to recognize that Gaelic drama is worthy. “We possess compelling narratives,” he contended. “Our actors are skilled, our acting standards are high. We have a talented director. In this instance, we boast a competent crew, excellent cinematography, and top-notch camera work. We’re endowed with all the essential elements required for any drama, and we should be able to compete on par with any other nation.

As a gamer, I’d put it like this: “In our series, we chose to include English dialogue because it’s more realistic for an international police team to communicate in English while investigating a major crime. We wanted to keep things authentic and true-to-life. The balance was around 70% Gaelic and 30% English, with the majority focusing on the family’s daily life, and the police investigation taking up about 30% of the show’s time. We believe this approach mirrors how languages are used in real life.

Groundsell admitted that while it was wonderful to film the series predominantly in Gaelic, there were certain challenges as well. “Working in Gaelic has been a joy, but it’s been tough for those of us who aren’t deeply rooted in the Gaelic tradition,” the star expressed. “Many of us find it hard to use Gaelic in our daily lives because we don’t have families who primarily speak it. So, I believe we all feel a certain level of pressure regarding our proficiency.

Regarding her journey to The Island, it only underscores the significance of being involved in such a show. After all, if we persistently believe that our Gaelic isn’t good enough or isn’t suitable for use, then nobody will ever have an opportunity to employ it. Therefore, we must persevere and reconnect with each other to keep it thriving and vital.

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2025-01-14 20:25