Welcome to the second issue of The Acorn TV Dispatch.
This month you’ll hear from two stars of the new Acorn TV Original Striking Out (Series 2), learn a little Irish, and get a look at some of the historical figures who have appeared in Murdoch Mysteries.
You can also help us celebrate a Midsomer Murders milestone –the award-winning series made its broadcast debut 21 years ago! To mark the event, we’ve got a Midsomer quiz, a special gift for your family and friends, and more about this fan favorite.
Our fans are passionate about world-class TV — and so are we! To give you a place to communicate with other Acorn TV fans, we’ve created an official and exclusive Facebook Group. It’s the perfect space to engage with fellow viewers and discuss your latest favorites.
Happy streaming!
In this issue:
- Hear from the Cast of Striking Out
- Learn a Little Irish
- Celebrate 21 Years of Midsomer Murders
- Look Back at Famous Figures in Murdoch Mysteries
- Join Acorn TV Fans on Facebook
- Ask Acorn TV
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Striking Out – Strike 2
Our recent Q&A with the cast
When playing Dublin lawyers in this IFTA Award–nominated drama, Amy Huberman (The Clinic) and Neil Morrissey (Line of Duty) are more used to asking questions than answering them. But here they’re on the receiving end as they field questions from Acorn TV about the new season of Striking Out.
For the Prosecution
Huberman and Morrissey begin our interview chatting away to each other. The two actors clearly enjoy being together – an echo of the relationship of their onscreen characters, Tara Rafferty and Vincent Pike.
In Striking Out, Tara and Vincent are solicitor and barrister, the “double act” of the Irish and British legal systems. While solicitors work directly with clients, only barristers plead clients’ cases before a judge.
What’s ahead for Tara in series 2?
“She’s getting momentum in her professional life,” says Huberman of her character, now set up in her own legal practice and continuing to strike out on her own. “Her personal life is still upside down a little bit. She kind of has this ongoing relationship with [ex-fiancé] Eric…And there may be a few new romantic interests for Tara.”
Morrissey covers his mouth in shock. His own revelation that Vincent is secretly in love with Tara brings exclamations of disbelief from Huberman.
“I didn’t tell her that’s how I played it,” he confides.
Huberman roars with laughter. “You did it so beautifully I never knew.”
How Vincent is faring
Separated from his wife, Vincent is striking out on his own, too. He’s doing well in the courtroom but is beset by his personal demons. “It’s always a bottle of whiskey in the drawer,” says Morrissey. “There’s always a cigarette as soon as we come out of court and the ties are off.”
Speaking of the new season, Morrissey reveals: “I do get in a fight this time as well. It’s quite funny.” He turns to Huberman and adds: “We have a little contretemps at some point, but I won’t discuss about what.”
How difficult is it to learn the legal jargon for the series?
“It’s absolute murder,” the actor admits. “It’s like learning a different language that people don’t speak anymore. It’s like something from medieval days.”
Huberman agrees. She is full of admiration for her costar’s courtroom monologues. “It’s nearly a performance within a performance, because there’s a theater involved with the legal display in court,” she says. “It’s not conversational. You’re on your own. The legal phraseology has to be exact – you can’t wing that.”
“That’s like trying to make up Shakespeare!” laughs Morrissey. “To be or not to be – or something like that.”
Change order!
Both actors admit some exasperation (panic!) whenever a series consultant makes a last-minute change to the script. The whole courtroom dialogue has to be tweaked and a revised script circulated. Huberman groans: “What you’ve been learning for an entire week has to be changed on the day.”
Morrissey reveals a trick he uses to cope with a revised script, made possible by the fact that he and his character both use eyeglasses. “Whenever bits of paper get handed to me, I can take my time,” he confides. “I can pause. Take out the glasses. Pop them on. Have a read. And then do the next question.”
Things Irish
English-born Morrissey is familiar with Dublin, where Striking Out is set: “My parents are both Irish, so I’ve been going to Dublin for over 30 years. But like I say to the crew, I’m normally just here for the crack.” (To learn what “crack” means to the Irish, click here.)
Huberman is a native Dubliner. She’s pleased with how the city is portrayed in the series. “A lot of Irish movies or Irish TV, depending on the tone of them, can be quite dark or kind of sad,” she says. Striking Out is a welcome change. “To have that gloss look on Dublin…a contemporary, thriving city! It was really, really nice to see that.”
Morrissey nods. “No accordion player in an old pub with a straw roof, which is what people still think of Ireland. Someone cooking spuds in the corner!”
Exit stage left
Without warning, the actors switch from the South of Ireland to the North of England. Turning to Morrissey, Huberman slips into a Manchester accent. She excitedly begins to tell him about an upcoming project.
The interview ends as it began, the two actors as engaged with each other as a solicitor and barrister discussing a case. Chatting earnestly and happily to each other, they slide off their chairs and head for their next appointment.
To watch the interview in full, click here.
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Learn a Little Irish
What’s “the crack“?
In our interview with the Striking Out stars, Neil Morrissey tells us he goes to Dublin “for the crack.” Lest that alarm or confuse readers, we should be clear: This is not a reference to drugs!
“Crack” in Ireland
In Ireland, “crack” means fun, entertainment, an enjoyable get-together. Good crack is a good time. And if “the crack was ninety,” then it was an especially good time.
Crack can get personal, too. “How is the crack?” means “How are you doing?” But if someone asks you, “What’s the crack?” it means “What’s going on?” or “What’s up?”
Scots instead?
Despite its widespread use by the Irish today, the word is likely Scottish or English in origin. It was used as far back as the 1700s by the poet Robert Burns, for example. Only recently has it taken on its Irish spelling of “craic.” (Because their alphabet has no “k,” the Irish dropped the “k” in “crack” and inserted an “i.”)
Some have criticized craic as “fake Irish.” But it is now part of “brand Ireland.” The word adorns the outside of Irish pubs the world over. Whatever its origins and however it’s spelled, the term means a good time had by all. And that’s the craic!
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21 Years of Murder in Midsomer
Midsomer Murders made its broadcast debut 21 years ago, and fans have been feverishly tuning in ever since! We’re celebrating the anniversary of this British TV institution with some interesting facts about the iconic, long-running series.
Know Your Midsomer?
Put your knowledge of this Acorn TV fan favorite to the test by taking our Midsomer Murders quiz. Answering some of the questions might seem easy – but others may prove more of a challenge. Like any good detective, make sure you sift the evidence and consider the clues before making your deductions. And watch out for the red herrings.
TAKE THE QUIZ
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Murdoch – Mystery with History
Real-life characters from the past written into the script
Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) solves murders in early 20th-century Toronto. But in tracking down killers, he also encounters a range of famous historical figures. As season 11 ends this month, we look back at some of the big names who have shown up on Murdoch’s beat.
When All Roads Lead to…Toronto?
During his criminal investigations Detective Murdoch encounters many historical figures who, for one reason or another, find themselves in his hometown of Toronto. Season 11 is no exception.
Historical giants
Recent episodes feature appearances by such famous individuals as entertainer Al Jolson, Christian Science leader Mary Baker Eddy, author and activist Helen Keller, and “father of modern medicine” Dr. William Osler. In addition, Alexander Graham Bell is back in town for a charity dinner to honor his friend Keller. U.S. president Teddy Roosevelt makes an appearance, too, slipping over the border for a hunting trip only to become the quarry himself.
In earlier seasons we meet such figures as Harry Houdini, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Winston Churchill, and the inventor Nikola Tesla.
Famous people playing famous people
Of course, sometimes you need a big name to play a big name. For example, when Mark Twain appears in one episode he is played by William Shatner. And when the series needed someone for a character convinced he is Santa Claus, who better to fill the role than Ed Asner?
Even former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper shows up in one episode. (A big fan of Murdoch Mysteries, he took on his little cameo role while he was still in office!)
And you would be?
In his episode, Harper plays a desk sergeant who fails to recognize then-prime minister Wilfrid Laurier when the latter walks into the police station. Instead, he continues his conversation with Constable Crabtree, complaining about the “infighting in Ottawa.”
Laurier, recently arrived from the Canadian capital, interrupts them. “I’m here to speak to Detective Murdoch,” says the prime minister. To which Harper’s character replies: “And you would be?”
Favorite famous people
Members of the Murdoch cast have their own favorites from among the many historical figures who have appeared in the series.
In an interview with CBC, Bisson said his favorite is Thomas Edison, who features in several episodes. Mouna Traoré (Rebecca James) prefers Nikola Tesla, who is another recurring character. For Thomas Craig (Inspector Thomas Brackenreid), it’s legendary U.S. lawman Bat Masterson.
A bridge too far?
Jonny Harris (Constable George Crabtree) breaks the rules a little bit with his pick. Harris’s favorite “historical figure” is Sherlock Holmes – the famous fictional English detective whose real-life author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, also appears in an episode.
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Official Acorn TV Fans Facebook Group
We’ve started an official Facebook Group for all things Acorn TV! Connect with other fans, start a conversation about your favorite series, share your most-bingeable Acorn TV moments, gain access to exclusive sneak-peaks, and more! Please be sure to answer the three introduction questions when joining the group.
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Why does my Acorn TV Channel on Roku look different?
Acorn TV has a fresh new look on Roku! On April 3rd, we introduced our newly redesigned Acorn TV Channel. Guided by feedback from Acorn TV members, we rebuilt the Acorn TV Channel to be more reliable and easier to use. By introducing new features and improving existing ones, we hope to provide a better streaming experience overall.
New Features You’ll Love
– Easier navigation throughout entire Channel
– Genres and curated collections available right from the home screen
– Faster access to all the seasons of your favorite shows
– And more!
The redesigned Acorn TV Channel automatically updated on your Roku device(s) on April 3rd. You do not need to take any additional steps.
Do you watch Acorn TV using a Roku TV or device? Send us your feedback on the updated Acorn TV Channel!
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