Ballybofey actor Laura Heeney lands debut TV acting role in TG’s Ros na Rún

Ballybofey-born actor Laura Heeney recently joined the cast of TG4’s long-running drama series, Ros na Rún

She will play the part of the bubbly and brazen Penny Fallon, who is following a cosmetics career to lead her into the ambitious role of a high-profile influencer and digital creator.

Her family feels she’s completely misguided but deep down Penny believes her personality and people skills will get her to where she wants to be, ultimately a life within a millionaire club lifestyle. She has secured a job in the local pharmacy and Auntie Laoise can support her with accommodation, while Penny portrays this zealous confident nature while checking out the local male talent. Is Ros na Rún ready for an ambitious influencer who will sell snow to an eskimo regarding cosmetics and lifestyle brands.

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A graduate of Maynooth University, Laura has an honours degree in Irish and Spanish. Her passion for the Irish language followed her from St Mary’s Primary School to St Columba’s College, Stranorlar where she became so motivated coming up to Leaving Cert that Laura knew she wanted to study it in university.

Her ambition to gain fluency in our native language has taken the young Donegal actor on a varied career so far. Laura has worked as an Irish language volunteer as a digital content creator with the Irish News in Northern Ireland. In addition, the young actor has volunteered with Gael Linn, their online video channel Gaelbhratach along with BLOC, Raidio Fáilte and Raidio na Life.

Laura has also spent a year employed at TG4’s Social Media team where she was involved in creating innovative content for a variety of the Irish Language Broadcasters online platforms.

This is Laura’s first venture into TV acting and she’s thrilled to have been selected from a competitive auditioning process for the only rural-based drama series on Irish TV, Ros na Rún.

“It’s an ambition I’ve held for many years since college, that is, a role with Ros na Rún, and I’ve landed the part of Penny Fallon who’s a fun character to play,” she said. “She’s lively and a little egotistical with her Influencer notions and online following”, says Laura, “I’m loving it, I’ve been made to feel extremely welcome by all the actors, crew and production team, Ros na Rún has very much a family vibe behind the camera which is wonderful for a first time TV actor.”

Penny Fallon’s story will unfold as the pretty, confident and friendly cosmetic salesperson sets out to combat her parents' disregard for her chosen career as an “influencer – is that really a job” while getting to know her Auntie Laoise’s friends and neighbours in the village of secrets, Ros na Rún. Her razor-sharp tongue and zealous attitude will raise some eyebrows. It’s Ros na Rún, there’s bound to be drama coupled with comedy and no doubt a little romance too for Penny. Viewers will be intrigued with Penny, who sees herself as “a cross between bad girl Janine from Eastenders (a show her mom watches) and smart and witty Amelia Dimoldenberg (Chicken Shop Date)”, who is a hero of Penny’s, going on dates with celebrities and having her own merch. That is the kind of future Penny dreams of having. Stay tuned as Donegal newcomer and debut TV actor Laura Heeney becomes a familiar face to TG4’s screens.

Ros na Rún Series Producer, Marion Ní Loingsigh says: “We’re continuously developing new characters in Ros na Rún and Penny Fallon is another exciting one and we’re delighted to welcome Donegal actor Laura Henney into the role. Season 29 will see quite a few new exciting characters unfold which our loyal audience will enjoy, so please do stay tuned”.

TG4’s Ros na Rún features many of Donegal’s finest Irish Language actors including Niall Mac Earmharcaigh, Máire Uí Rabhartaigh, Colm Mac Giolla Easbuic along with other famous Donegal names including worldwide Country Music star, Daniel O’Donnell which Laura Heeney is needless to say “honoured to follow and work alongside”.

Filmed at an Cuasnóg in an Spidéal in the Connemara Gaeltacht, the TG4 drama series, Ros na Rún, is a co-production between Dánú Media and Tyrone Productions. Proudly sponsored by XL Ireland since 2017, Ros na Rún has welcomed big names including HBO TV’s Conan O’Brien, Fiachna O Braonáin of the Hot House Flowers, Nathan Carter, Francis Brennan, Stephen Fry and a host of other personalities.

At its core is delivering the reality of rural Irish life in today’s modern and open society. All of which is centred on exciting and gripping storylines which are delivered by passionate actors who are supported by a highly talented crew. Broadcast on Tuesdays and Thursdays on TG4 at 8.30pm, it also has an omnibus on Sunday at 7.30pm and is available on both the TG4 and RTE players worldwide.