FAIR City star Sorcha Furlong has broken her silence over the recent announcement of a halt in the show’s production this summer.
The popular RTE soap drama is expected to take a break from production in July and August due to recent cost-cutting measures.
However, Sorcha, best known for her role as Orla Molloy, has admitted that the new shake-up in schedule will be a great opportunity for herself and the cast to look for other work.
The soap actor told how the production halt will mean that the cast “can put themselves forward for other roles and projects during the summer.”
Speaking to RSVP Magazine, the RTE star made sure to reassure viewers that the Carrigstown characters “will still be on the telly” even while they are out of work.
Sorcha said: “I know I am going to be off in July and August. We are still filming four episodes a week, they are just holding one back.
“Even though we are not working, Fair City will still be on the telly and that is great for the viewers.”
And the Irish actress is no stranger to the inconsistent schedule in the world of acting as she added: “Before, it could have been February before I knew what I was doing in June.
“It works well for us actors because we know we are off and we can properly go looking for work.”
Sorcha continued: “I might work 12 weeks out of 52 this year and I might do 30 weeks out of 52 next year. It could be 10 weeks the following year. That is the nature of the business and that is the way it has always been.
The Irish actress revealed that the time off during the summer will allow her some freedom away from her current contract with Fair City.
She said: “We get offered contract weeks every year and some years are higher than others. For me, having two months off means I go for work and I won’t let anyone down if I get an audition and have to go into Fair City instead.
“There is a great freedom in that, you are not letting Fair City down and you are not letting anybody else down.”
The Fair City star also revealed that she will be starring in a one-woman-play this month called Tender Mercies.
The play was originally written by Colette Cullen and will follow the life of a north Dublin woman who was not discovered dead until the bank enquired about her debt.
Speaking about her upcoming role, Sorcha said: “When I read the script I was immediately drawn to it because it is heartbreaking.
“It is an hour long play, non-stop, with no interval. It is funny as well, it is not all doom and gloom. It is tragic, but it also has comedy in it.”