Actors union Irish Equity has called on TV3 to reconsider its decision to postpone broadcasting filmed episodes of Red Rock.
Some 23 episodes of the soap opera, made for TV3 by Element Pictures and Angel Station, were due to be shown on TV3 this September, but have been delayed until 2018.
TV3 has put the Garda-themed drama on a production hiatus while it decides if it wants to make more episodes. The decision is complicated by the fact that it will need to build a new set to continue, as its lease on the site of the old Player Wills factory in Dublin is due to expire.
"The cast of Red Rock are extremely disappointed at this situation," said Irish Equity organiser Karan O Loughlin.
“The development of this show was a good initiative by TV3 to which the cast were very committed. All the indicators for the show were very positive,” she said.
"The show has acquired a solid fan base, a fact obvious from the numbers who have taken to the Red Rock Facebook page to express their disappointment at the decision."
Irish Equity president Padraig Murray described the uncertain future for the three-year-old TV3 drama as "a blow to the TV industry" in Ireland and called on the Government to "take a serious look" at how it promotes and develops indigenous television production.
“We have an abundance of talented and experienced cast and crew but there are just not enough TV productions to reflect this.”
