NERO’S CLASS – SERIES ONE AND TWO OUT NOW!
A genre-bending audio odyssey to delight children and adults alike. The first two series of the award-winning radio drama Nero’s Class are now available in full on RTÉjr Radio and RTÉ Podcasts – just in time for the summer holidays!
Nero’s Class is a surreal sitcom, a hilarious audio odyssey and a stereophonic comic-book-for-the-ears. It tells the story of Professor Nero (Hugh Cooney), a strait-laced teacher from The Mainland, who is sent to the mythical island of Mrunglody to teach three children who are every bit as unorthodox as their homeland. For Nero, it’s enough of a challenge that Mrunglody is filled with eccentric locals and never-ending distractions… so it certainly doesn’t help matters that their classroom/treehouse also has a habit of whisking them off on strange overseas field trips.
After a whirlwind first week on the job (Series One), Professor Nero is becoming more acclimatised to his new environment… or so he thinks. Littledoes he know that Series Two will see him battling to teach his class whilst trying to cope with talking wildlife, rogue dictators, worried grandfathers, obsessive leprechauns, doomsaying DJs, mysterious cave networks, clumsy witches, boarded-up wishing wells, dormant curses, botched recipes, ancient jug bands, nuisance callers, disappointed parents, bread-loving pond-dwellers, and thousands of pigs.
Nero’s savvy, mischievous pupils are voiced by three new acting talents, reprising their roles from Series One: Rian Sheridan (the wise-beyond-his-years Rowan), Elsie Akinduko (the quick-witted Jacaranda) and Penny O’Dwyer (the exuberant whippersnapper Scoochie Kaboochie). All three youngsters were cast as the result of a nationwide open call, which saw hundreds of audition tapes submitted.
Nero’s Class is an ambitious, imaginative and unpredictable immersive adventure series for ages 7 and upwards. Although set against a backdrop rooted in quirky Irish folklore and tradition, it cleverly uses this as a springboard to forge its own unique mythology, rather than retelling the same old familiar tales.
Written and directed by Bobby Aherne, this series boasts a vast supporting cast featuring the vocal talents of Peter McGann, Aoife Spratt, Brigid McClean, Matthew Carpenter, Bronwyn Murphy White, Tim Falcon Prime, Gary Sheridan, Padraig Cooney, and more. Aherne, who earned his stripes as the songwriter behind the indie-pop acts No Monster Club and Sir Bobby Jukebox, has also created an extensive original soundtrack to complement the twists and turns of the show. The show is co-produced by Bobby Aherne, Maggie Fagan and Lucy Jorgensen, and Series Two is sound-designed by Eamonn Bailey. The artwork for both seasons is designed by award-winning illustrator Ruan van Vliet.
Jointly funded by RTÉ and Coimisiún na Meán, the first series won the Best Family award at the Irish Podcast Awards 2023, where it was also shortlisted in the Best Comedy and Best Fiction categories. Its creator also received a ‘High Commendation’ from the judges in the Rising Star category. It was nominated for the Best Comedy award at the Torc Awards 2024. The Irish Examiner named it “one of the standout podcasts of the year” and “probably the most entertaining podcast on any of our end-of-year lists”. Acclaimed author Séamas O’Reilly said “This show is an absolute blast and I’d recommend it to anyone of any age, but an extra special recommendation for the smartest, funniest child you know, and their parents if they have enough taste to keep up. A treasure and a delight. Give it a listen!” It has also spent much of the past two years in Apple’s ‘Stories for Kids’ Irish podcast charts – including a lengthy stint at number one.
Nicky Coghlan of RTÉjr Radio said: “Nero’s Class is a one of a kind show. From the writing to the cast, the world Bobby has realised is truly singular. Series One was a gem in our podcast crown, and I’m so excited now we’ve got ten new episodes to share with the world.”
Creator and writer Bobby Aherne said: “Nero’s Class is my ode to the spontaneity, joie de vivre and choose-your-own-adventure nature of childhood. With my background as a songwriter, it was also great fun to use my generally off-kilter music to help build the off-kilter world of Mrunglody, like a form of aural set-painting. Beneath the chaos of it all, this is a series about friendship, community, being yourself, and rolling with the punches… as performed by the greatest cast I could possibly hope to assemble. I’d love to think that it might soundtrack many a holiday/road trip/plane ride over the summer holidays, and hopefully provide a laugh to every member of the family!”
Listen to all sixteen episodes of Nero’s Class on RTÉjr Radio, RTÉ Podcasts, and anywhere you get your podcasts.
KEY CAST & CREW
Bobby Aherne (Writer/Director/Composer)
Bobby Aherne is the writer of the non-fiction book D’You Remember Yer Man? (New Island) and the composer/co-writer of the comedy stage musical Trial of the Centurys (Dublin Fringe Festival).
He is also a prolific songwriter and producer. Using the pseudonyms “No Monster Club” and “Sir Bobby Jukebox”, he has released more than a dozen critically acclaimed albums with a number of international indie labels including Popical Island, Emotional Response, Already Dead Records, and Mirror Universe.
He has composed music for podcasts The Alison Spittle Show, It’s Raw and Phoning It In; radio series The Captain and Talking It Out; TV series Louise Lives Large, and movies including Famous Nathan and Let The Wrong One In.
Hugh Cooney (“Professor Nero”)
Infamous for his signature blend of surreality and absurdity, artist/filmmaker/performer Hugh Cooney first burst onto our computer screens at the very advent of YouTube with viral videos like Accessorise Accessorise Accessorise and Farrell McDarrel; videos that seemed to be siphoned directly from Ireland’s dark ether.
Since then, Cooney has been producing interactive multimedia installations and performing sell-out shows in London, Berlin and Dublin. In 2018, he wrote and starred in the epic fantasy/comedy film The Mustering of the Harrier. In 2023, he wrote and performed the Ireland’s Unreal storytelling podcast for RTEjr Radio.
He describes his character in Nero’s Class as “a bit of an eejit” who “tries his best and fancies himself as being quite smart, but he’s in over his head with the supernatural goings-on in Mrunglody.
Rian Sheridan (“Rowan”)
Rian has also appeared in Clean Sweep, as well as playing the title character in the 2022 short film Oisín. His favourite movie is Interstellar, and his dream role would be to act alongside somebody like Leonardo DiCaprio or Cillian Murphy. He describes his character in Nero’s Class as “smart and very sarcastic”.
Elsie Akinduko (“Jacaranda”)
Elsie also plays Ameer in Fia’s Fairies and Leo in Sullivan Sails. She likes singing, dancing, acting, art, and looking after stray cats… and would love to appear in a musical film someday. She describes her character in Nero’s Class as “very responsible and kind”.
Penny O’Dwyer (“Scoochie Kaboochie”)
Penny loves acting, dancing and football. Her favourite TV show is Derry Girls and her favourite singer is Ariana Grande. She recently starred in the 2023 short film Summer Girl, and dreams of starring in a feature film or TV show. She describes her character in Nero’s Class as “very funny, confident, sassy