A UK tv network, Channel 4, are planning to air a Shameless-style sitcom based on the Great Famine.
Speaking to the Irish Times, screenwriter Hugh Travers revealed that he is writing the sitcom, Hungry, following an open commission by Channel 4, which allows him to write “any idea I wanted”.
“Well, they say ‘comedy equals tragedy plus time,” Mr Travers says.
“I don’t want to do anything that denies the suffering that people went through, but Ireland has always been good at black humour.
“We’re kind of thinking of it as Shameless in famine Ireland.”
During the Great Famine, approximately 1M people died of starvation between 1845 and 1852 and a further 1.5M people emigrated.
The announcement of Hungry has sparked outrage.
Many social media users have condemened the series, calling it “thoroughly disgraceful” and asking “what exactly is funny about the starvation of millions?”
