OSCARS
How James Martin prepared for his role in ‘An Irish Goodbye’
The ‘An Irish Goodbye’ actor plays Lorcan, a young man living with Down’s syndrome, as he navigates difficult family issues.
James Martin is looking towards the 95th Academy Awards after receiving his first-ever nomination for work on ‘An Irish Goodbye’, which is nominated for an award in the Best Short Film category.
The 2023 Oscars will be held Sunday, March 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m PT.
‘An Irish Goodbye’
‘An Irish Goodbye’ is a Bafta-award winning short film by Ross White and Tom Berkeley that sees Martin as younger brother Lorcan, who has Down’s syndrome, estranged from his older brother, Turlough, played by Seamus O’Hara.
Following their mother’s tragic death, with Lorcan living and working on the Northern Ireland family farm, his brother returns from London with a message. Much to Lorcan’s chagrin, his brother tells him that with their mother, played by Michelle Fairley, gone, Lorcan will have to move in with their aunt.
James Martin has also starred in ‘Ups and Downs’ on BBC One and ‘Marcella’ on ITV.
Looking forward to the Oscars
James Martin spoke about what he was looking forward to most at the big event Sunday night, which happens to fall on his birthday.
“I would love to meet Tom Cruise,” Martin said. “His movie ‘Top Gun’ was fantastic.”
“I would love to meet Robert De Niro as we have something in common,” the actor continued. “My name is actually Robert James so it would be nice to meet someone who has the same name. We’re both actors and we can both be grumpy on set, so maybe it’s a family thing!”
On living with Down’s syndrome
Martin discussed what it was like living with Down’s syndrome. He said that people with the condition long to be independent, and not singled out because of the disability, emphasizing that “it’s very important” that the film demonstrates what a person with learning disabilities can do.”
“It’s not often you get your own part on a show if you have Down’s syndrome. But never judge a book by its cover,” Martin said.
“Everyone wants to be independent, I’m very independent of my folks,” Martin continued, drawing parallels between the character of Lorcan and his own life.
“Lorcan’s very independent but the love and the hate and the emotion towards his brother is fantastic. It’s good to have that special bond. If it wasn’t for that special bond… he’d just look at him as a carer.”