RTE’S Smother was a massive hit, with Irish actors Dervla Kirwan, Seana Kerslake and Eanna Hardwicke taking the world of mystery by storm.

And now, fellow Smother actor Lochlann O’Mearain is starring alongside Hollywood A-Lister Olivia Colman in a brand new movie, Joyride.

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Directed by Emer Reynolds, Joyride follows new mum Joy, who is ready to give away her newborn when she meets runaway teen Mully, played by Charlie Reid.

Emer this morning told RTE’s Ray Darcy Show: “It’s a big-hearted, feel good, mismatched buddy road movie.

“Joy is a complex and messy woman who’s hell-bent on giving away her newborn baby for her own reasons.

“Mully is a scrappy boy racer who’s on the run from his father. They come together and find some friendship. It’s a lot fun, laughter and tears.”

Joyride had its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh on July 5 and is set to hit cinema screens on July 29.

The 2022 new release was filmed in several locations in Co Kerry.

In the film, Lochlann plays Mully’s dad, who as he describes himself, is “the baddie”.

Lochlann said: “I’m okay with playing a baddie. I think it kind of suits me.”

Ray told how he likes Lochlann’s character, “despite him breaking the law and the drinking and the smoking and the thieving”.

The Killiney native replied: “That’s what we were trying to put across, not to have such a two dimensional, unlikable person.

“There are issues in it if you want to scratch the service a little bit – loss, grieving, addictions, gambling.

“It does turn out to be a light, feel-good movie”.

While Lochlann has seen the movie, he admitted he didn’t quite enjoy watching back his performance.

He said: “I’m not great at looking at myself on a screen, especially on a film screen when your head is huge. Look at the size of the nose!

“But I’ve seen it and it’s got a lovely feel to it. It was great to hear people laughing and there were tears.

“It does what a film is supposed to do – it makes you feel.”

MEETING OLIVIA

Recalling meeting Olivia Colman – who has starred in numerous television series and movies including The Lost Daughter, The Crown and Fleabag – Lochlann was full of nerves.

He said: “Charlie is a really composed, calm person, 14-years-old.

“It was incredible to see him and Olivia Colman, who I’ll admit I was a bit nervous meeting.

“What do you do when you’re in a scene with an Oscar-winning actress? Do you go about it differently?

“But people love Olivia Colman because she’s honest. It takes a lot of guts to drop all your facade and your skills and your quirks and just be vulnerable and be open. That’s a real skill.

“And it comes through the camera and onto the screen and it’s true magic”.

He added: “Not all big actors are that easy to deal with because they’re running the show, they’re the one that’s going to sell the picture, they’re calling the shots.

“So they can make you feel in your place but Olivia is part of the collaboration and we’re all doing it together, so it was amazing.”

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