THE CAST FOR a TV adaptation of a Cork author’s romantic novel series has been announced.

Boys of Tommen is a six-book series by Chloe Walsh. The first two novels were released within months of each other in 2018, and it is these two books that the TV series will focus on.

The show is said to follow the forbidden love story of Johnny Kavanagh, the “star rugby player on the verge of a pro career”, and Shannon Lynch, the “talented but painfully shy new girl” at the prestigious private school of Tommen College in the fictional Cork town of Ballylaggin.

The two teenagers are hiding secrets: Kavanagh, a potentially career-ending injury, and Lynch, a troubled home life.

“Through their secret and highly charged connection, the two teens from opposite worlds battle against the odds and find a way to save each other,” promotional material for the show states.

The first cast members have been announced.

Newcomer Nancy Surridge is to star as Lynch, while Conor Sánchez, whose acting credits include roles featured on RTÉ and the BBC, will play Kavanagh.

Irish-American actor James O’Donoghue is to portray “troubled but loyal” Joey Lynch. Sophie McGibbon has been cast as the “fiercely confident” Aoife Molloy.

The show will be directed by Corkman Brendan Canty, known for directing Hozier’s Take Me to Church music video, as well as a number of acclaimed short films.

Speaking alongside the casting announcement, Canty said, “As someone who grew up in Cork, where these stories are set, this project feels incredibly personal to me.”

He praised executive producer and lead writer Poppy Cogan for the “amazing job” she has done in adapting the books for screen.

“To do justice to the world they’ve created, we knew that finding the right cast was going to be everything.

“We searched far and wide, receiving over 3,000 casting suggestions from across the UK and Ireland, but from the moment Nancy, Conor, James and Sophie walked into the room, it was clear we’d found something beyond special.”

The series, which was green lit earlier this year, is produced by global independent studio wiip in association with Amazon MGM Studios, with Metropolitan providing local production services. 

It will premiere on Prime Video.