Cast of Exiles paid to emigrate

The entire cats of RTE’s reality TV show exiles were taken on and paid to emigrate to Canada, with the programme’s aim being to portray the modern Irish emigrant.

The cast of the new show, which centres on six Irish people after they have moved to Vancouver, had all flights and accommodation paid for. However, a number of the cast members have since revealed that they had no plans to leave for Canada before being offered a part in the programme.

One cast member, Dylan Townsend, confirmed that he filled out his Canadian visa application after being offered a part in the show, while upcoming musician George Hutton revealed that he was approached to join the lineup after producers Straywave Media heard him perform with his band Anuna.
Exiles features three men and three women all hailing from the Emerald Isle as they seek their dream job in British Columbia.

Straywave Media chief executive Stephen McCormack said the key to a good TV show was planning and casting. He explained that the aim was to produce a TV show that documents certain things about what went on when people move overseas. However, he noted that given the format, they would have to construct things, take people’s time and clear some locations while filming.