Proof (2004 TV series)
| Proof | |
|---|---|
 Opening credits | |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | Ireland |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Running time | ~ 50 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Subotica |
| Release | |
| Original network | |
| Original release | January 2004 – April 2005 |
Proof (known as Beviset in Denmark) is an Irish television mini-serial co-produced by Subotica for Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) in Ireland and TV2 in Denmark. Proof[1] had two seasons: the second season entitled Proof 2.[2]
Production
Proof was an Irish-Danish co-production. It received funding from the Irish State Broadcaster RTÉ, Denmark's TV2 and Ireland's section 481 a taxation scheme for both film and television in Ireland. It was filmed on location in Ireland.
Development
The first series was directed by Ciaran Donnelly and series two by Thaddeus O'Sullivan. Produced by Tristan Orpen Lynch for Subotica and Mary Callery for RTÉ. Proof was Created by Tony Philpott, and with the first 2 episodes in the first series written by him, the series became controversial when it was discovered that Philpott's original screenplay had been "dumbed down" and had some of the more politically critical elements removed. The screenplay was read by Sunday Times TV critic who noted the excisions and who editorialised about them in an article separate to his TV column. Fay's observations in the Sunday Times 1 February 2004 included the observation: "It could almost be the plot of a whodunnit. A television station commissions a hard- hitting drama set against the sleazy backdrop of Irish political corruption. The designated writer delivers the goods with a script that station bigwigs hail as one of the grittiest and most convincing they’ve ever read. Then, somewhere between the green-lighting of the project and the first day of principal photography, the script is eviscerated. Its astringent depiction of crooked politics, Irish-style, is watered down to bland, generic mush."
Development
The first series was directed by Ciaran Donnelly and series two by Thaddeus O'Sullivan. Produced by Tristan Orpen Lynch for Subotica and Mary Callery for RTÉ.
Cast
- Bryan Murray as Miles Carrick
- Finbar Lynch as Terry Corcoran
- Orla Brady as Maureen Boland
- Sidse Babett Knudsen as Nina Kurpreka
Broadcasting
The series was first broadcast in January 2004 on RTÉ, it was also broadcast in Denmark.
In 2009, both series were broadcast by Scottish broadcaster STV.
Episodes
Each series had 4 episodes each. A total of 8 were produced.
Reception
The series was a hit with critics and audiences alike.
Ratings
Proof was a ratings success for RTÉ and in 2004 became the most watched drama, beating off RTÉ's soap opera Fair City.
Awards and nominations
Orla Brady received an Irish Film and Television Award nomination for Best Actress in a TV serial in 2004 and the show was also up for nomination for best TV serial the same year.