BBC Reveals New Details and Images for Its Most Expensive Gaelic Drama

The BBC has released additional images and further information concerning its most costly Gaelic television drama. Titled An t-Eilean (The Island), this four-part thriller from BBC Alba, which cost over £1 million per episode to produce, centers on a murder investigation. This program marks the BBC’s inaugural Gaelic language crime drama and is scheduled to air early next year on BBC Alba, BBC iPlayer, and BBC Four. Sorcha Groundsell, who grew up in Lewis and Glasgow, was announced as the show’s lead star in April. The recent announcement reveals she has been joined by Harrow-born Sagar Radia. Groundsell’s previous acting credits include roles in the HBO series His Dark Materials, the BBC drama Shetland, and Netflix’s The Innocents. Radia, who portrays her boss DCI Ahmed Halim, appeared in the HBO show Industry. The cast also features Iain Macrae, known for his appearances in the Gaelic drama Bannan and Amazon Prime’s Outlander series; Edinburgh-based actor and filmmaker Elspeth Turner; and Sinéad MacInnes, who has also appeared in Outlander. Filming for the series took place in Lewis, Harris, and Glasgow. Amhuinnsuidhe Castle, a 19th-century private country house located in Harris, serves as the primary setting. With dialogue presented in both Gaelic and English, the show’s narrative revolves around an unfolding murder investigation on the islands of Lewis and Harris. Groundsell’s character mysteriously fled the Western Isles a decade prior. The actor stated that the new show felt like a watershed moment for Gaelic. She said: “Across the world, we are seeing indigenous languages step confidently out from the shadows to enjoy the recognition they deserve. “I see our show as part of that wider movement – a celebration of all that makes us unique.” She added: “I’m so proud to have been part of a production that is pioneering these new horizons for Gaelic and showcasing the beauty, creativity and depth our language brings to the world.” Sagar Radia also remarked: “Being part of An t-Eilean has been an exciting experience for me. The show really allowed us to showcase the beauty of Gaelic culture and language in a way that feels authentic – it’s about bringing the islands’ rich history to life for viewers, and I’m so proud to be part of that.”