Essaouira, Morocco. A bustling, vibrant, seductive city, now home to struggling artists Harry, Robin and their three-year-old son, Dillon.
With little support, adapting to life as new parents in their friend Cosmo’s tiny apartment hasn’t been easy, but despite the sleep deprivation, the couple remain devoted to their little boy. And then one evening, everything changes. Harry leaves a sleeping Dillon alone for the briefest of moments when an earthquake hits. Harry races back to rescue his child, only to find his apartment in rubble and no evidence of Dillon.
Three years later, thousands of miles away in Dublin, Harry spots a six-year-old boy in a crowd – a boy he is convinced is Dillon. Harry must prove his son is alive, even if he can’t quite believe it himself. Harry’s obsession tears apart his marriage, exposing shameful secrets and shattering the one thing he and Robin had left – trust.
Why won’t Robin believe Harry? What is she hiding? Can the boy really be Dillon? And how far will Harry go to find their lost son? The Boy That Never Was is a deeply atmospheric and masterfully crafted tale of love and loss that will chill you to the bone.
The Boy That Never Was stars award-winning actor Colin Morgan (Belfast, Legend), Toni O’Rourke (God’s Creatures, Calm with Horses), Kerr Logan (Alias Grace, Strike), 2 x Bafta nominee Simon Callow (The Witcher, Four Weddings & A Funeral), and is directed by award-winning director Hannah Quinn (Vikings: Valhalla, Disenchanted, Fate: The Winx Saga).
The Boy That Never Was is based on the Sunday Times best-selling debut novel by the same name by Irish author Karen Perry.
SUNDAY WORLD - interview with Director, Hannah Quinn
IRISH INDEPENDENT - interview with Toni O'Rourke
"Don't miss this."
SUNDAY INDEPENDENT
"Pick of the day."
IRISH DAILY MAIL
"Intriguing... director Hannah Quinn has skill in creating tension, and for drawing interesting performances from the leads."
THE IRISH MAIL
"Atmospheric adaptation of Karen Perry's best-selling novel."
WOMAN'S DAY (New Zealand)
"Pick of the day."
WOMAN'S DAY (New Zealand)
"The performances are excellent."
NEWSTALK
"it looks beautiful - it's a very nicely shot and scored."
NEWSTALK
"The way it is directed is extremely effective."
NEWSTALK
"Striking."
NEWSTALK
"Ambitious series... I was very impressed."
NEWSTALK
"RTÉ viewers are raving about The Boy That Never Was."
HER.IE
**** [Four Stars]
IRISH INDEPENDENT
"Thrilling."
THE IRISH SUN
"Exciting new series."
THE IRISH SUN
"It has already got the nation hooked."
JOE.IE
"Everyone is talking about the new RTÉ drama The Boy That Never Was."
JOE.IE
"Gripping new drama."
SUNDAY WORLD
"Works as both a gripping psychological thriller and a harrowing study of grief, guilt, remorse and unravelling mental health."
IRISH INDEPENDENT
"Colin Morgan and Toni O’Rourke are excellent... the two leads are utterly believable."
IRISH INDEPENDENT
"Outstanding."
IRISH INDEPENDENT
DURATION
4 x one hour
BROADCASTER
RTE Ireland
YEAR OF PRODUCTION
2024
COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION
Ireland
Director
Hannah Quinn
Starring
Colin Morgan, Toni O’Rourke, Kerr Logan, Simon Callow