Published: Wednesday, 2nd September, 2009 11:00am

Pure Mule returns with the midlands again centre stage

A new two-part instalment of the hit drama Pure Mule reunites the characters of a fictional midlands town four years on

Pure Mule: The Last Weekend is set in a community now in economic freefall.

Written by Eugene O'Brien, directed by Declan Recks and produced by Accomplice Television, The Last Weekend finds Scobie (Garrett Lombard) with his bags packed for Australia and Jennifer (Charlene McKenna) back in town for a family funeral with a new boyfriend in tow (JJ Feild). It also stars Dawn Bradfield, Simone Kirby, Gail Fitzpatrick, Orla Fitzgerald and Liam Carney.

A critical success when the original series aired over six episodes in September 2005, Pure Mule also proved to be a big hit with viewers, culminating in an audience of 437,000 for the final episode. It won five IFTAs, including Best Actress for Dawn Bradfield and Best Director for Declan Recks.

Pure Mule: The Last Weekend was shot entirely in the midlands for four weeks in June and July this year.

Writer Eugene O'Brien is from Edenderry, whilst director Declan Recks is a Clara native.

Pure Mule will be broadcast on RTE One on Sunday, September 6 at 9.30pm with part two on Monday, September 7 at 9.35pm