RTÉ to commission follow-up to Rebellion set in the War of Independence

A follow-up to the drama series Rebellion which will be set in the War of Independence will be made, RTÉ's managing director of television Glen Killane has confirmed.

The series will be part of a five-year drama strategy to be unveiled by RTÉ. It is intended that the drama will focus on the spying carried out by both sides and the cycle of tit-for-tat killings which were a feature of the War of Independence.

Mr Killane acknowledged there had been criticisms of Rebellion, but it had been a "worthwhile exercise in engaging people in Irish history. There is a huge appetite for people wanting to learn more". "I sat down with Jane Gogan (head of drama) and Adrian Lynch (channel controller RTÉ One) to discuss Rebellion and what we might learn from it."

Mr Killane said that from a drama standpoint, “there were things we could have improved on. No piece of television is ever perfect and there are always things that can improve. We have this motto of constant improvement, constantly striving to do things better.”

Mr Killane described RTÉ’s commemoration programme for the Easter Rising as the largest event the broadcaster has ever been involved in.