Sorcha Groundsell, known for her roles in His Dark Materials, Shetland, and The Innocents, takes on the complex character of Kat Crichton in the UK’s first high-end Gaelic drama, An t-Eilean (The Island). Set against the breathtaking yet stark backdrop of Scotland’s Western Isles, this new series intertwines themes of lies, loss, and long-hidden secrets.
“I’m playing Kat Crichton, a police officer from the Isle of Harris,” shared Groundsell. “She spent 10 years away in Inverness after some drama on the island and comes back to investigate her former home,” she said.
Kat is assigned to a chilling murder case by DCI Ahmed Halim, portrayed by Sagar Radia. The victim is the wife of local tycoon Sir Douglas Maclean, played by Iain Macrae, and the case forces Kat to confront her past and her tangled history with the Maclean family.
“Kat is someone who carries a lot of baggage from her early life,” Groundsell explained adding that “She’s very hard-working and driven, and has a level of bravery in facing those demons that I kind of admire, but she also has, you know, some downsides, as all humans do.”
The series, produced by the award-winning Black Camel Pictures for BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer, spans four 50-minute episodes. Written by Nicholas Osborne and Patsi Mackenzie, and directed by Tom Sullivan, the show also features music by Icelandic composer Biggi Hilmars. Executive Producers Arabella Page Croft and Nicole Fitzpatrick, along with Series Producers Kieran Parker and Bjorn Hanson, bring this ambitious project to life.
Groundsell was drawn to the role not only for its depth but also for the opportunity to work in Gaelic. “I wanted to be involved in An t-Eilean primarily to have a chance to work in Gaelic. I’ve never done it before, and it felt like a really great opportunity to revisit this culture and these places that are pretty important to me in my life.”
Groundsell’s personal connection to the setting and language adds another layer to her performance. “I grew up in the Isle of Lewis. Actually, I spent the first nine years of my life there, in a Gaelic-speaking place and school. This heritage feels pretty important in my life. It’s hard to maintain when you live somewhere like London, so this is a perfect opportunity to kind of come home, really.”
Working in Gaelic posed its challenges but also brought immense satisfaction. “It’s been really wonderful working in Gaelic, but it has been a challenge, especially for those of us who don’t use it daily. If we all maintain this feeling that our Gaelic is never good enough, no one will ever have a chance to use it. We have to push through and reconnect to keep it alive and breathing.”
The series’ setting on Harris and its iconic Amhuinnsuidhe Castle deeply influenced the cast and crew. “It was really wonderful filming in Harris,” Groundsell recalls. “Incredible landscapes, incredible people, and such creative value in being in the locations written in the script. It adds so much texture to the story and our performances.”
Living and working at Amhuinnsuidhe Castle for five weeks added a unique dynamic. “The castle itself is incredible, so grand and interesting, with such a fascinating history. Living together for five weeks really paved the way for an enjoyable working experience. We all got on like a house on fire, and it really facilitated deeper work,” she said.
Groundsell found the shoot both personally and professionally rewarding. “The time we spent on Harris was incredibly rewarding. We all became very fast friends, which was the perfect entry to working in Gaelic. Creatively, we had some incredible filming moments and satisfying scenes unlike anything I’ve done before.”
An t-Eilean is funded by MG ALBA, All3Media International, Screen Scotland, and Black Camel Pictures, and distributed globally by All3Media International. The series aims to highlight the richness of Gaelic culture and language.
“It feels hugely important to make Gaelic drama on this scale,” Groundsell emphasizes. “We’re not given the time and funding we should be. This is a necessary time to take ownership of our language and culture and celebrate it for the incredible joy it brings to so many people.”
Audiences can expect a gripping drama filled with mystery and personal redemption, set against the stunning backdrops of the Western Isles. “I think there’s an appetite for stories providing a different viewpoint, and that is inherent in Gaelic storytelling,” Groundsell added.
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