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Series 5, Episode 6 Synopsis

Nidge is summoned to back to Spain.  Terence decrees that a marker must be put down, a warning to potential rats and traitors.  Terence knows (from Beano – a spy all along) about the Garda number on Janet’s phone and – regardless of her innocence – has chosen her as the medium for the message.  By the time Nidge gets back from Spain the next day, Janet has been brutally tortured to death.

Nidge has achieved the status he craved, but the enormity of the event is such that the cracks start to show.  Trish’s gift of a pair of trainers bearing the legend “King Nidge” brings him to tears.  Moynihan too is profoundly affected by Janet’s death.  Scotty has been dismissed, and it seems once again that his quarry will slip through his fingers.  Moynihan at last loses his iron self-control and, pulling Nidge over for a non-existent traffic violation, he viciously beats him up.  And so he is receptive to Siobhan’s pack of lies: she claims that it was Nidge who killed Git Loughman, Nidge who has kept the bone as a lucky token.  Moynihan confirms that such evidence would be enough to put Nidge away:  frankly he doesn’t know or care if he believes her or not – he will take any route to bring down Nidge.

Fran meanwhile is on the run with only one thought in mind:  to kill Nidge.  He almost catches up with his target at the brothel – but at last he is recaptured and returned to prison where, battered and not expecting any threat, he is confronted in the showers by Noely Hughes.  Noely’s vengeance on Fran is brutal and terrible.  Meanwhile Siobhan pays a friendly visit to Trish, carefully planting the finger bone in a hiding place in the bathroom.  As she leaves she calls Moynihan to tell him where the evidence can be found, and Moynihan and Ciaran race towards the house to make the “search” but fate has one last twist in store.

PLEASE NOTE: Additional imagery (grabs – not high resolution images) will be released to national picture desks at 22:30 after the episode has aired.

Q&A with Mary Murray

1. How did you feel when you read the script describing Janet’s death?

I knew Janet’s demise was imminent. My agent mentioned it to me earlier. I didn’t know exactly where in the series this would occur as scripts hadn’t been released at that stage, so I was glad when Janet made it to the last episode at least. The description of her murder was horrific and I knew it would make an impact.

2. How did you prepare for the scene?

We had several make up tests before the actual day to ensure all went according to plan. Denise Watson and Sandra Kelly the hair and make up artists did an incredible job. It was a big operation. While I was on standby waiting to shoot my scene I tried to read but it was too uncomfortable so I sat back in the make-up truck and listened to music. Every now and again a cast or crew member would enter the truck and get the fright of their lives.  On one of the test days Tom Vaughan Lawlor decided to come to set with his gorgeous little boy Freddie to say hello to everyone. I turned my head away to avoid looking at him because I knew I would have terrified him if he saw me as I was.

3. What will you miss most about Love/Hate?

I’ll miss watching the very talented director David Caffrey at work. I was so impressed with his drive and energy and his ability to deal with hectic schedules and stressful situations. He was so professional and always made everyone feel as if they were part of a team. He’d regale us with stories between takes, he was very funny and he had a great deal of trust in his cast and crew. His competence filtered right through the entire production, everyone knew that time was precious and there was no room for egos so we were always watching people at their best. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Assistant Directors Johnny, Gail, Darragh and Ado were incredible. There’s so many names I’d love to mention from so many departments who ensured the ship sailed smoothly and I’ll miss them all dearly. Hopefully I’ll see them on another film set in the not too distant future. It’s a small country so it’s very likely we’ll cross paths again.

4. What was your favourite scene during your time on Love/Hate?

Halfway through season four in the bar, Janet feels that Nidge is ignoring her in front of his cronies and only wants their relationship to exist behind closed doors. She decides she’s not going to be taken for a fool and makes it her business to leave. Nidge assures her that he’s mad about her and tells her that he’ll see her later after he sorts out some business. I thoroughly enjoyed playing this scene because the writing was so beautiful. The dialogue had so much depth which meant as actors we both had a lot to play with. This particular scene is testament to Stuart Carolan’s genius as a writer. He can sum up a lifetime of memories and fears and aspirations in such a few short words.

5. Did you enjoy playing the character of Janet?

I loved playing Janet. She was introduced as greedy and hard nosed but as time went on we learnt that she would never have survived if she hadn’t created this persona for herself. She had a rocky upbringing, a husband in prison, a son to rear alone, a younger sister who died and a job that wouldn’t be top on your career guidance counsellor’s list of options. She built a protective barrier around herself and when she let her guard down and fell for Nidge she showed her caring and vulnerable side. When Debbie and Denise were found dead she felt she had a responsibility to inform the families. As she continued to witness Nidge’s lack of empathy and willingness to get what he wanted by any means necessary she was wise enough to stay on his good side.  She wasn’t naive. She knew the magic was gone but she had an agenda – to ensure her son had a better life. A warped way of thinking – imagining Nidge could be a good father figure to Aaron, but given the lifestyle she had grown accustomed to she thought this was one of her better decisions. The fact that Nidge made a habit of using her phone was unlucky. Much like the life she lead. I think we can all identify with characters like Janet who just never seem to catch a break.  It was also such a privilege to get to work alongside the great Tom Vaughan Lawlor and observe his preparation and execution close up. It was also a wonderful experience playing the mother to Lewis Harris, a drama student of mine who I’ve always had such admiration for. He is a huge talent and it was great to get to share some screen time with him. Susan Loughnane and Peter O’ Meara were a real joy to get to know and work with too. It’s a real treat to perform with actors like them at the top of their game.

6. How would you describe Janet and Nidge’s relationship? How do you think Nidge reacted to news of her death, did he feel responsible?

1.  For a brief period there was a spark between Janet and Nidge. They really did feel like soulmates for a while and amidst the frenzy of underworld antics they found solace in one another, but it was never going to last. Nidge was far too selfish. I think Nidge felt bad about Janet’s death. He did care for her, even if the initial spark was gone. They had an understanding. It’s also a huge inconvenience. He’ll need to find somebody trustworthy to run the brothel. He’ll also have the guards questioning him. No doubt they’ll come across some numbers in her phone that he doesn’t want to advertise. Then there’s her son Aaron who’s been aware of Nidge’s comings and goings. He’s bound to kick up a stink. Her death will have opened up a Pandora’s box for him, and of course most importantly, who’s Nidge going to turn to now for a quick stress relieving knee trembler?

7. What’s up next for you as an actress?

I’m doing a one woman comedy at the moment called No Smoke Without Fire where I play seven different characters who meet in the smoking area of a Dublin pub soon after the introduction of the smoking ban in Ireland. It was written by my dad Paddy Murray and it’s so much fun to play. I’ll be performing this at the Civic in Tallaght next week from 18 to 22 November. The following week I’ll be at The Helix playing the Wicked Stepmother in a Cinderella with Theatreworx Productions. I’m so excited about it because I get to work again with the very talented actor/director Karl Harpur. He lives in LA these days but makes it his business to return home every Christmas to direct the panto. The show will run from 28 November to 11 January so it will be quite a sober Christmas for me considering we’ll be doing morning as well as evening shows non stop. It will be full on but I know it’s going to be great craic too. And who doesn’t want to play the baddie? I’m going to relish that opportunity. Then in March and April I’ll be touring China with a Dermot Bolger adaptation of Ulysses by James Joyce with Tron Theatre Company who are based in Glasgow. I’m also in talks about touring No Smoke Without Fire next year, so we’ll see where that leads. And of course, you never know what other little surprises the future may hold.