‘Raw’, described by one reviewer as the Irish answer to cult UK series ‘This Life’ is the brainwave of local playwright Lisa McGee, from Windmill Terrace.

And she said the whole experience of writing for prime-time telly has been a whirlwind. “It happened really quickly and unexpectedly,” Lisa told the ‘Journal’.

“I heard a production company were looking to put together a programme for RTE set in a Dublin restaurant and that they liked my style of writing and thought we could work together.

“Initially I wasn’t keen. I know nothing about restaurants or cooking”” she laughed. “But when I started to work on it, I got more keen. I realised the show was more about the characters who worked in the kitchen and I just kept coming up with more ideas and putting them in different situations.”

Lisa started her career as a playwright, becoming the Tinderbox Theatre Company’s first writer on attachment in 2005/2006. In the relatively short time that has followed she has gone to receive great critical acclaim for her plays ‘Girls and Dolls’ and ‘Jump!’.

Both plays have a gritty theme and ‘Raw’ is no exception - delving into the seedy world of drugs and sex in Dublin.

Writing for TV, Lisa says, is completely different to writing for the theatre - but she thrives on the challenge.

“When you are writing for the theatre you really are your own boss,” Lisa said. “You tend to focus on what is going on in your head at that time and bring that to life. Writing for television is a little more focused. You are writing for a wide audience, conscious of budgets and trying to be a success as so many people are involved in the process. It’s pressure, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

Although Lisa always dreamed of getting a prime time show, she can’t quite believe that it has happened. “It happened very quickly - it was about a six month process, which is unheard of in terms of TV. I don’t think I’ve had time really to sit down and think about it, but I’m enjoying it very much.”

With the programme getting rave reviews, Lisa is hoping that a second series will be commissioned. In the meantime she is busy with theatre, film and TV work. She is currently developing “Jump” in association with the Irish Film Commission and writing a play for the National Theatre in London, while another play, ‘Things I Haven’t Told You’ which was shown on BBC3 is now being made into a pilot for MTV USA.

“I’m just taking things as they come at the moment and hoping it continues,” she said.

‘Raw’ is screened on Monday nights on RTE 2 at 9.30pm.