Galway actress Nicola Coughlan is emerging as a top contender to star in a major new film about Ireland’s legendary pirate queen, Gráinne Ní Mháille, a project already being hailed as one of the most ambitious Irish productions in years.
Coughlan, who hails from Oranmore and is internationally acclaimed for her roles in Derry Girls and Bridgerton, has been listed at 2/1 by Ladbrokes to feature in the film, with industry insiders suggesting her west of Ireland roots make her a natural choice to portray the formidable Mayo-born leader.
The film is being spearheaded by Oscar-nominated Irish filmmaker Kirsten Sheridan, who has officially optioned the rights to Grace O'Malley – The Biography of Ireland’s Pirate Queen by historian Anne Chambers. Backed by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, the production is set to begin filming next year and will be produced by Wild Atlantic Pictures in Dublin alongside Los Angeles-based Reclaim Entertainment Ventures.
Sheridan has been collaborating with Chambers for several years, with plans to follow the feature film with a full television series.
The movie will focus on the extraordinary true story of Ní Mháille sailing up the Thames to confront Queen Elizabeth I after her son was taken prisoner, a historic encounter between two ruling women of rival nations.According to Wild Atlantic Pictures, the film will be “raw and contemporary,” exploring sexuality, power and identity with a modern edge rather than typical period drama gloss.
“This is a deeply personal passion project,” Sheridan said. “Every Irish woman knows Grace O'Malley's story. She defied gender norms, controlled her own destiny, and stood toe-to-toe with the most powerful woman in history.”
With fellow Irish stars like Eve Hewson (3/1 ), Sarah Greene (3/1 ) and Saoirse Ronan (4/1 ) also rumoured, Galway audiences will be watching closely, but there is growing hope that it may be Nicola Coughlan who takes the helm as Ireland’s pirate queen.
