The Young Offenders. Image shows from L to R: Conor MacSweeney (Alex Murphy), Jock O'Keeffe (Chris Walley)
The Young Offenders

The Young Offenders

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC Three / BBC One
  • 2018 - 2024
  • 25 episodes (4 series)

Comedy series about two inner-city teenagers, based on the 2016 Irish film of the same name. Stars Chris Walley, Alex Murphy, Hilary Rose, Jennifer Barry, Demi Isaac Oviawe and more.

Episode menu

Christmas Special

The Young Offenders. Image shows from L to R: Jock O'Keeffe (Chris Walley), Mairead MacSweeney (Hilary Rose), Conor MacSweeney (Alex Murphy)
It's Christmas week, and the residents of the estate where Conor, Jock and Mairead live have been fighting off an eviction from the council for over a month.

Preview clips

Further details

It's Christmas week, and the residents of the estate where Conor, Jock and Mairead live have been fighting off an eviction from the council for over a month. The residents have created a barricade to show their determination that they won't be moved to make way for the estate to be renovated, afraid that they might never get back into their homes if forced out. The situation has been getting national media coverage and everyone involved is on edge, including the police.

While all this is happening, Mairead has been sick for weeks and has to be taken to hospital - a place Conor and Jock hate. The situation proves to be more serious than thought, causing major concern for the lads. Not knowing how to help, the lads ask Mairead if there's anything they can get her. Mairead says she's never seen a white Christmas, so the two friends set off on a chaotic adventure to try make her wish come true, which involves some accidental interaction with a local film crew - and a movie star - who ends up getting involved. When Billy Murphy enters the fray, all hell breaks loose. But the lads are determined to do something for Mairead, and in the process find out something about themselves and the value of empathy.

Broadcast details

Date
Sunday 23rd December 2018
Time
11:15pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Sunday 23rd December 2018 11:45pm BBC1 Wales
Monday 24th December 2018 12:15am BBC1 Scot
Thursday 17th December 2020 11:15pm BBC1

Cast & crew

Cast
Chris Walley Jock O'Keeffe
Alex Murphy Conor MacSweeney
Hilary Rose Mairead MacSweeney
Jennifer Barry Siobhan Walsh
Demi Isaac Oviawe Linda Walsh
PJ Gallagher Principal Barry Walsh
Orla Fitzgerald Orla Walsh
Dominic MacHale Sergeant Healy
Shane Casey Billy Murphy
Guest cast
Ciarán Bermingham Guard Quinn
David Fynn Turkey Thief
Maura Long Carol Singing Critic
Ailish Bracken Production Manager
Malua Ní Chléirigh Production Assistant
Paschal Sheehy RTÉ News Reporter
Ross Browne Take-out Delivery Guy
April Kelly Defiant Woman
Katelyn O'Connell Defiant Woman's Daughter
Stephen O'Connell Paramedic
Pauline O'Driscoll Hospital Consultant
Frank Twomey Lonely Patient in Ward
Con O'Connor Male Patient Outside Hospital
Colin Murphy Taxi Driver
Ann Gibbs Female Patient in Bed
Jack Healy Crying Man
Marian Harrington Female Patient on Drip
Derek Devoy Kind Man with Patient
Norin Kelleher Female Patient in Corridor
Beth Hanrahan Sick Kid
Louie Ryan Sick Kid
Oscar Ryan Sick Kid
Stacey O'Flynn Sick Kid
Lloyd Creagh Robert Sheehan's Driver
Paddy McCarthy Boy on Horse
Jason O'Connor Friendly Male Resident
Paul Boyle Tough Resident
Donal O'Shea Guard
Ruby Grace Girl Resident
John O'Donavon Take-out Customer
Robert Sheehan Self
Writing team
Peter Foott Writer
Ross Browne Writer (Additional Material)
Jocelyn Clarke Script Editor
Production team
Peter Foott Director
Martina Niland Producer
Peter Foott Executive Producer
Lotte Beasley Mestriner (as Lotte Beasley) Executive Producer
Abby Singer Executive Producer
Justin Healy Executive Producer
Shane Murphy Executive Producer
Ailish Bracken Line Producer
Cormac Fox Associate Producer
Michael Doherty Associate Producer
Lawrence Till Creative Producer
Hugh Chaloner Editor
Owen Power Production Designer
Mike Foott Casting Director
Derek Foott Casting Director
Patrick Jordan Director of Photography
Lara Campbell Costume Designer
Ray Harman Composer
Jonathan Shaw 1st Assistant Director
Alex Moody Commissioning Editor

Videos

The Young Offenders get acting tips

It is Christmas week. Conor and Jock accidentally become extras on a film set, and meet a movie star.

Featuring: Chris Walley (Jock O'Keeffe), Alex Murphy (Conor MacSweeney) & Robert Sheehan.

Billy Murphy and the coin tossing

The Young Offenders take on Billy Murphy in a coin toss game.

Featuring: Chris Walley (Jock O'Keeffe), Alex Murphy (Conor MacSweeney) & Shane Casey (Billy Murphy).

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