Hardy Bucks ride again

Hardy Bucks is returning to RTÉ 2 after a four-year hiatus. Aisling Hussey meets Martin Maloney, better known as Eddie Durkan.

Aisling Hussey

21 October 2015

Chris Tordoff as The Viper; Tom Kilgallon as Boo; Owen Colgan as Buzz McDonnall, Peter Cassidy as Frenchtoast and Martin Maloney as Eddie Durkan.

Chris Tordoff as The Viper; Martin Maloney as Eddie Durkin; Peter Cassidy as Frenchtoast; Tom Kilgallon as Boo and Owen Colgan as Buzz McDonnall.

Peter Cassidy as Frenchtoast; Owen Colgan as Buzz McDonall; Tom Kilgallon as Boo; Martin Maloney as Eddie Durkan and Chris Tordoff as The Viper.

It’s been a while since Eddie Durkan, The Viper and Buzz McDonnell have graced our screens, but the break has done the Hardy Bucks some good. “We’ve done a lot of reflecting and soul-searching and I learned a lot of things along the way,” jokes Martin Maloney, who plays Eddie Durkan and also writes alongside co-star Chris Tordoff, aka The Viper.

It’s been a while since Eddie Durkan, The Viper and Buzz McDonnell have graced our screens, but the break has done the Hardy Bucks some good.

“We’ve done a lot of reflecting and soul-searching and I learned a lot of things along the way,” jokes Martin Maloney, who plays Eddie Durkan and also writes alongside co-star Chris Tordoff, aka The Viper.

Set in the fictional Castletown – which is filmed in Martin and Chris’ hometown of Swinford in Co Mayo – the mockumentary sees the lads dealing with boredom and searching for the ever-elusive craic.

The last season aired in 2011, followed by a movie set during the Euros in 2012. With a cult following since their YouTube days, many people will be happy to see the return of the Hardy Bucks.

In the new season, viewers will see The Viper come to terms with a broken heart while running his new business, and Eddie and Buzz may or may not have met the women of their dreams.

The original cast will be joined by new female characters, including Fair City’s Aoibheann McCaul and Susan Loughnane from Love/Hate. However, Martin says the show will stay true to its roots.

“We want to keep it as original as possible and I hope it’s reflected in the cut,” he says. “There’s lot of comedy to be gained through the dynamic of men and women, and it’s funny seeing Eddie and Buzz in the throes of romance and dealing with those situations.”

Martin and Chris grew up in the country, not as farmers, and “had nothing to do during the summer”. This led to the pair focusing on comedy. According to Martin, the first two series, and the film, were popular in rural communities.

“It’s not Dublin-centric and it was representative of rural Ireland. It’s a satire, but I think it also a commentary on society and we address a lot of issues through comedy. We took the idea of a group of friends who were disenfranchised and had fallen through the fabric, and it struck a chord.”

As for future projects, Martin is thinking about trying drama, while working on a new comedy.

“It’s going to be Dr Phil meets Starship Troopers. I’m really excited about it,” he deadpans.

Martin is far from Swinford now and currently lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife and child, but comes home for filming. Though settled abroad, he misses the fun of home.

“I love Ireland and it will always be home. I really miss the people – they make the country what it is,” he concludes.

Hardy Bucks Ride Again starts Bank Holiday Monday, 26 October, at 22.25pm on RTÉ2 and runs for six weeks.