FORBIDDEN ROMANCE, JEALOUSY and missing persons are just some of the gritty storylines being promised in TG4′s new Ros na Rún spin-off.

The first episode of ‘Na Rúin’ debuted online yesterday. The series centres on a group of teens living in a halfway house in Spiddal in Co. Galway and is written and performed by young people.

A spokesperson for TG4 has told TheJournal.ie that by airing the programme exclusively online, its makers are hoping that it will appeal to younger audiences in the same the American ‘reality’ show The Hills picked up an online following.

Described as an “irresistible cocktail of lies, romantic obsession and revenge”, Na Rúin is aimed at young people who are disillusioned with the Irish language. It was filmed on the Ros na Rún set, and will feature cameos by actors from the soap while some of the young cast members will eventually join the cast of the main programme.

Storylines include the disappearance of a troubled teen just as a sex offender is arrested in the town, a forbidden romance with a teen runaway, and the discovery of a body. The issues tackled include family problems, bullying and depression.

Watch the trailer:

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