Hollywood star Bill Murray golfs through Ireland in new series

By Lauren Del Fabbro, PA Entertainment Reporter

Hollywood star Bill Murray will play golf throughout the island of Ireland in a new series.

The six-part BBC show, Off Course, will follow the comedian, 75, as he takes a road trip around the island to tackle some of its most breathtaking courses.

Inspired by Tom Coyne’s New York Times bestseller, A Course Called Ireland, the series will see Murray, who has Irish roots, joined by celebrity friends and long-time golfing companion Coyne as they tee off around the Emerald Isle.

Murray said: “I started out caddying, and golf was the best education I ever received. Ireland feels like the right place to put all that to work.

“They’ve got this wonderful word there, ‘craic’, which means fun, but it means a lot of other things. A lot of good things. And this show will be about us finding it.”

The series, which is made up of six-30 minute episodes, has been described as being more than an ordinary golf show but rather focuses in on “life, chance encounters and the joy of going off course”.

Catherine Catton, head of factual entertainment commissioning and events, said: “This is a series full of humour, heart and adventure, set against some of the most beautiful backdrops imaginable – and we can’t wait for audiences to come along for the ride with Bill.”

Eddie Doyle, head of content commissioning at BBC Northern Ireland, added: “We’re thrilled that this series promises stunning scenery and beautiful golf courses, couple this with the wit and charm of Bill and his friends and the series promises to be joyful viewing for audiences.”

The award-winning actor is best known for Lost In Translation, Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day.

Off Course will be available to watch on BBC Two, BBC One Northern Ireland, and iPlayer.