LOVE/HATE FANS, consider yourselves warned: Writer Stuart Carolan says there will be nothing but doom and gloom for the characters for the rest of the fifth season.

Speaking to Ian Dempsey on Today FM this morning, he said Sunday’s episode was a “high point” and it all goes “downhill from here”. Well, we wouldn’t expect any less.

Carolan hinted at a big development for Siobhán in the next episode – the promos show her getting increasingly mixed up with Pauley, much to the disapproval of her uncle Nidge.

Here are five other things we learned from the interview this morning:

1. Janet’s “Me knees are at me” line was supposed to be mostly sad

But don’t worry if you had a giggle.

When we left [Nidge and Janet] off, they had this great connection, and the next thing they’re eating cold pizza in a bedsit. That’s the beginning of the end I suppose… you see this sadness in their characters in just one line. But it’s a little bit funny as well.

2. Stuart is not sure what Terence Bigballs’ real name is

The name ‘Bigballs’ was inspired by an acquaintance of his that adds the word ‘balls’ to everything. Cute.

His character’s name is actually Terence May, I think? But I’m not 100% sure.

3. His favourite character is Patrick the Pipe Bomber

But he identifies most with Aido, due to their shared fondness for “sitting watching television”.

4. He regrets killing off some of the characters, but says you have to “deal with it”

What’s important to him is getting the “truth of the tragedy” and not glamorising the deaths:

Sometimes you lose characters in very undramatic ways – if you look at the way Debbie died, it’s the most undramatic, unglamorous way to do it. It’s not wait until after the ad break and see who dies. It’s horrific. It’s horrible.

5. There will be another season

Stuart with his IFTA Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

Carolan confirmed that a “development deal” is in place with RTÉ for a sixth season. Woohoo!

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