Dearbhla Walsh is a film and television director who was born and raised in Ireland. She has worked on episodes of many well-known television series and successfully established herself within the entertainment industry. Some of the work for which she is best-known include directing ‘Little Dorrit’, ‘Roald Dahl’s Esio Trot’, and several episodes of the third season of ‘Fargo’. Although she is now well-known as a director, there are probably many things you do not know about this talented woman. Here are five things you didn’t know about Dearbhla Walsh.
1. Her First TV Job Was as a Runner
Dearbhla Walsh’s first job in the television industry was as a runner on an Irish television talent contest called ‘Screentest’. Just like ‘The X Factor’, Louis Walsh was also a judge on this show. While working as a runner, Dearbhla Walsh was unpaid but it was an opportunity for her to take the first steps into working in television. Her first paid job was as a scriptwriter and editor in the promotions department for Granada Television.
2. She Was in a Long-Term Relationship with Anna Nolan
Dearbhla Walsh was once in a domestic partnership with Anna Nolan, who is an Irish television presenter and former international basketball player. However, it is believed that the couple separated in 2014. This became apparent when Nolan was being interviewed on ‘The Saturday Night Show’. She revealed to presenter Brendan O’Connor that she was having to adjust to single life.
3. She Has Won Awards
Throughout her career in the entertainment industry, Dearbhla Walsh has been nominated for many awards in recognition of her talent as a director. Of these nominations, she has won four awards, so far. In 2004, she won the Chicago International Film Festival Gold Hugo Award for Best Documentary. This was an award she shared with Neasa Hardiman and David Blake Knox for their work on ‘Imagining Ulysses’. IN the same year and for the same documentary, she also won the Celtic Film and Television Festival Bronze Torc Award for Best Arts Documentary. Again, this was shared with Hardiman and Knox. In 2009, she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries Movie, or a Dramatic Special for ‘Little Dorrit’. She then won the Irish Film and Television Award for Best Director- Drama for her direction of ‘Fargo’.
4. She Directed Controversial Drama ‘Talk to Me’
Walsh directed the ITV drama ‘Talk to Me’. This was a controversial drama as some of the scenes featured sexual interactions between a 15-year-old-pupil and his adulterous teacher. She defended these scenes and explained that they were not intended to shock viewers. This series was written by Danny Brocklehurst and starred Max Beesley, Laura Fraser, Joseph Millson, and Emma Pierson.
5. She Has Worked on ‘Eastenders’
Walsh has worked extensively in television in both Ireland and the United Kingdom. One series she has worked on in the capacity of a director is the much-loved British soap opera ‘Eastenders’. Her work included the episodes that covered the murder trial of Little Mo Mitchell.
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