Tommy Bulfin.
Bruff native Tommy Bulfin continues to hit the high spots as a commissioning editor and executive producer on major BBC television programmes like ‘Peaky Blinders’, ‘Normal People’, ‘Bloodlands ‘and the sensational ‘Line of Duty’ – which has become the most watched British TV drama of the 21st century, writes John Barrett.
Tommy always had an interest in television and drama and fondly remembers his appearances as a teenager at the Honey Fitz Theatre in Lough Gur, especially working under the direction of the late Michael Quinlan. Having finished his secondary education at Ard Scoil Mhuire in Bruff, Tommy studied Media and English in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. Further studies took him to Royal Holloway, University of London from where he operated at the cutting edge of British television with New Pictures and Company Pictures, which included work on popular series like Indian Summers and The Missing. Tommy joined the BBC Drama team as commissioning editor in 2017, and has worked as executive producer on many popular BBC dramas.
Tommy was delighted to learn of ‘Normal People’s’ recent nominations for the BAFTA TV Awards, where the series picked up seven nods. Always confident that ‘Normal People’ was going to be a very special piece, the Bruff man was nonetheless astonished by the reaction both at home and abroad when it was aired, with the show receiving huge critical acclaim across the globe. “We are overjoyed that so many people took Marianne and Connell to their hearts, and also incredibly proud of Lenny, Daisy, Paul, Sally, Alice and everyone at Element for all the success that has come their way. It is a real testament to their hard work and creative brilliance and we wish the team good luck at the upcoming awards.”
Gráinne, Tommy’s wife, a native of Roscommon town, is also involved in the media industry, having worked on unscripted shows such as ‘All Star Mr and Mrs’, ‘Come Dine with Me’, ‘Take Me Out’ and ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’. She currently works in recruitment for TV.
The Bulfin family reside in Shepherds Bush, London where life is very busy with children, Gracie and Rafe. Covid-19 was the spoilsport when it came to the annual planned visit home last Christmas and, while this was a huge disappointment, close contact with family and friends is a consolation. Tommy says they are eagerly looking forward to making it home at the earliest possible opportunity. (See further coverage inside)