Although this is yet to be confirmed, according to an @babycentreuk tweet, Elaine and Stephen recently welcomed baby boy Lynott Lord Cassidy around 23rd January 2013.

BabyCentre UK @babycentreuk
Congratulations Elaine Cassidy (The Paradise) and Stephen Lord (Shameless) on the birth of their baby Lynott Lord Cassidy!

The new bub we suspect, is to have been named after the late, great Irish singer, Phil Lynott, lead singer of the group Thin Lizzy. Back in 2001, Elaine was scheduled to play young Philomena (Phil Lynott’s mother) alongside Holly Hunter, who was to play the older Philomena in the now cancelled movie My Boy.
 

>> New images of Elaine have been posted on IMDb, which you can preview below. The Gallery is currently undergoing an overhauling, so no images will be posted in the Gallery for now. You will also all have to re-sign up to the Gallery once it’s back up and running again. Apologies for the inconvenience.

>> Elaine was recently interviewed by BBC Showcase …

 
Not the best screenshot for the video, but Elaine is endearing as always. Enjoy.

Images courtesy of IMDb & video courtesy of BBCWorldwide

Female First recently did an interview with Elaine, revealing that her and husband Stephen Lord are expecting baby No. 2 soon. Elaine also revealed in the interview that although she loves being a mum (and no doubt and excellent one), she has no intention of giving up acting for motherhood. Great news for her fans and fantastic news for the Film, Television and Theatre industry; an industry that just wouldn’t be the same without her.

I love my job and I love my family, and I love my life. And I’m not defined by one thing – I’m not just a wife, I’m not just a daughter, I’m not just a sister, I’m not just Irish, I’m not just an actress, I’m not just a mother, you know, I’m all those things. And it’s all those things contributed together that make up who I am. So, no, I can’t see it happening!

Read the full interview …

 
The Elaine Cassidy Site and all Elaine and Stephen’s fans would like to extend their big congratulations on their upcoming personal production and wish them all the best for their forthcoming bundle of joy.

You can catch Elaine in the final episode of The Paradise on BBC1 at 9pm on Tuesday 13 November.
 

Interview and image courtesy of Female First

Elaine recently starred in a 10 min short by director Shimmy Marcus and writer Lana Criton called Hannah Cohen’s Holy Communion which premièred on Nov 4th at The Sanctum Hotel in Soho, London.

Film [Short] Synopsis:

Set in Dublin in the 1970’s this film explores a rarely glimpsed Ireland, as seen through the eyes of spirited seven year old, Hannah Cohen. Hannah can’t wait to make her Holy Communion – only problem is – she’s Jewish! An Irish/Jewish film with an international feel, the beauty of this story lies in its simplicity, humour, and the universal desire to fit in.
 
 
 
 
Director: Shimmy Marcus
Production year: 2012
Country: UK
Duration: 10 minutes
Language: English
Cast: Lucy Dunne, Elaine Cassidy, Jim Sheridan

Info and images courtesy of Hannah Cohen’s Holy Communion Facebook Page & UK Jewish Film.
Thanks to member Enrico for the heads up.

Fantastic news! The BBC have recommissioned The Paradise after a very successful ratings and attracting a strong loyal audience thus far with an average consolidated audience of 5.9 million/22.5% share.

Danny Cohen, Controller of BBC One, says:

The Paradise has been the biggest new drama series on British television so far this Autumn, and it has been really interesting to experiment with period drama on BBC One beyond the traditional Sunday night slot. I’m delighted that the show will be returning for a second series, and can assure its loyal following that there are still some dramatic twists to come in the three episodes still to air this Autumn.

Read more …
 
 
The final episode of series one of, The Paradise will air on the 13 of November on BBC One at 9pm. Viewers will learn whether Moray (Elliott) will marry Katherine (Cassidy) or follow his heart with Denise.

New stills from The Paradise have been added to the EC Gallery.

Info & images courtesy of Inside Media Track

Elaine has been confirmed by Octagon Films to be part of a large ensemble cast including Chris O’Dowd (IT Crowd, Bridesmaids) and comedian Dylan Moran (Black Books, Run Fatboy Run) in the new John Michael McDonagh film Calvary.

Irish director and writer John Michael McDonagh has set a September 24 production date for his much-anticipated second feature ‘Calvary’.

McDonagh will be reunited with Brendan Gleeson for his first film since last year’s hugely successful feature ‘The Guard’ with ‘Calvary’ set to shoot in Ireland over five weeks on the east and west coast.

Speaking to IFTN, producer Chris Clark of Reprisal Films said that both he and McDonagh are “really excited to be back” filming in Ireland.

He added: “‘The Guard’ was a great experience and it’s fantastic to be back for Calvary. John Michael McDonagh has written another brilliant screenplay and we’ve got a great cast attached, along with an another outstanding crew. We can’t wait to start shooting, to be honest.”

Clark confirmed that the shoot will feature “a large ensemble Irish cast” with Elaine Cassidy (The Others), Domhnall Gleeson (Shadow Dancer), Pat Shortt (The Guard), Fiona O’Shaughnessy (Alexander) and David McSavage (The Savage Eye) among the latest names attached to the project.

Other cast previously announced for the feature include Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids), Kelly Reilly (Sherlock Holmes), Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones, Love/Hate), Isaach De Bankolé (24) and David Wilmot (The Guard)

‘Calvary’ is a dark comedy that follows priest Father James Lavelle (Gleeson) who is tormented by various members of his Sligo parish.

The production will spend three weeks shooting on the west coast in-and-around Sligo town and county. It will then move to the east coast for a further two weeks. ‘The Guard’ cinematographer Larry Smith will return to work with John Michael McDonagh as director of photography.

Confirmed Irish crew include costume designer Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh and production designer Mark Geraghty. Morna Ferguson is expected to head up the make-up department while Orla Carrol is expected to serve as chief hair stylist.

As with ‘The Guard’, IFTA-winner McDonagh will direct the €5million Reprisal and Octagon Films co-production from his own script.

Clark and Flora Fernandez-Marengo will produce for Reprisal alongside James Flynn of Octagon. Elizabeth Eves will co-produce.

The feature has received support from the Irish Film Board with McDonagh and Octagon Films offered a €975,000 production loan in the last round of IFB funding.

 
No news yet on what character she will play, but keep checking back for more updates on Calvary.

Info and image courtesy of IFTN & Octagon Films. Thanks to member Marta for the heads up on Elaine’s new movie.

Susanna Lazarus talks to Elaine Cassidy, Joanna Vanderham and Emun Elliott about their characters’ love triangle in the new BBC1 drama The Paradise which airs tonight at 9pm

Katherine Glendenning played by Elaine Cassidy – the pampered only child of local landowner Lord Glendenning – whose unrequited love for The Paradise owner John Moray often ends in frustration.
 
 
Describe your character Katherine in three words…
Spoilt, manipulative and dangerous.
 
So she’s the villain in the story?
Not exactly. She’s got everything – she’s complex, she’s manipulative, she’s strong – but then she does have a softer side, as everyone does. It’s just how often you get to see it.
 
But she’s lusting after dashing businessman John Moray?
Yes – their relationship is animalistic, very lustful and dysfunctional. They’re very passionate, but at the same time should never be together.
 
Their union sounds like bad news…
As a lady of a certain age, she should be married by now with kids but she said no. She’s a rebel and she’s spoilt. If you tell her to behave one way then she’ll do the exact opposite if that’s what she wants. She shouldn’t be fraternising with Moray – he’s not in the same class as her. But the ambition he has is similar within her, and the cat and mouse game makes it even more appealing.
 
That’s right – he’s not really interested in her, is he? He’s after lowly shop girl Denise Lovett instead…
Denise is definitely more wholesome. But she’s feisty, too. I think Katherine, Denise and Moray are all very similar in that sense – they’re very ambitious, trying to break the mould. Instead of settling, they instinctively think, “no, I want something else”. It’s an odd love triangle as they’re all very like-minded.
 
Who are you rooting for?
Definitely Katherine, but I don’t know if people will warm to her. I love her – but that doesn’t mean I like her.
 
Like her or not, those dresses she gets to wear look rather delicious…
The costumes are gorgeous – she’s just dessert, dessert and more dessert. There’s no starter or main with her. And she dresses to impress. Whenever she goes to The Paradise it’s more power dressing – she puts her armour on, and then when she’s at home she’s a little bit softer. But you still have to wear the corset underneath so it’s never relaxing – not like Sunday afternoon vegging on the couch in your tracksuit bottoms! Sitting down is so uncomfortable with your organs squished into those tiny waists – you just think, “God, just let the men rule the world – who cares!”

 
Read the full article …
 
The Paradise begins tonight at 9pm on BBC1

Info courtesy of The Radio Times