The son of a famous pop star has left fans utterly captivated after unveiling his dramatically chiselled appearance in a new, steamy BBC drama series. This nepo baby might already be familiar to some viewers, as his latest role arrives a full fourteen years after his last television appearance on Channel 4's long-running soap, Hollyoaks.
A Striking New Role
Jay Duffy, the son of Boyzone's iconic member Keith Duffy, appears almost unrecognisable as he takes on a starring role in the upcoming BBC One series, The Walsh Sisters. In the show, the actor portrays Luke, the hunky love interest of the main character Rachel, who is depicted as a drug addict navigating her personal struggles.
Adapting a Bestselling Saga
The six-part television series is a direct adaptation from the bestselling books penned by celebrated Irish author Marian Keyes. The narrative intricately follows the lives of the five Walsh sisters during various pivotal moments, weaving together storylines from different novels. Central plot points include Rachel's challenging stay in a rehabilitation facility and her sister Anna's profound journey through bereavement.
"People have such a deep history and a profound love for these characters," Jay Duffy remarked during a discussion about the drama. "Consequently, everyone possesses a specific idea in their mind of who Luke should be, and I understood that physically, I was not necessarily the number one choice."
Embracing the Character
He elaborated further, stating, "The character is described as a rock and roll punk guy with long black hair and leather pants. And I was completely enthusiastic about the leather pants! I was absolutely ready to embrace that look." The actor also emphasised that the current adaptation feels "more kind of modern day," a factor he believes ultimately worked in his favour for landing the role.
Following a Famous Father
Jay is the son of Irish singer Keith Duffy, aged 51, and his wife Lisa Smith. The couple has enjoyed a happy marriage since their wedding in 1998. The younger Duffy's passion for acting and the screen initially ignited after spending considerable time with his famous father on the set of Coronation Street. There, Keith portrayed the charming barman Ciaran McCarthy from 2002 to 2005, and again from 2010 to 2011.
A Budding Television Career
This early exposure soon led Jay to secure his own role on Hollyoaks, where he played the character Declan Brady for approximately one year, from 2011 until December 2012. Jay has demonstrably followed in his father's footsteps, now boasting an impressive and wide-ranging portfolio of roles across various television productions. His credits include notable appearances in shows such as Playground, the critically acclaimed Derry Girls, and Northern Lights.
Boyzone's Future Plans
Meanwhile, his father, pop star Keith Duffy, recently expressed a desire for the iconic 90s pop group Boyzone to extend their planned two-night farewell event into a full-scale tour. The band is scheduled to perform their largest headline shows ever in June at London's Emirates Stadium, having already sold out their initial gig and subsequently added an extra date due to overwhelming demand.
Keith, who is currently taking a break from his spin-off act Boyzlife—a duo with former Westlife singer Brian McFadden—will reunite with his former bandmates for these significant performances. Reflecting on the upcoming shows, he told The Sun, "It's going to be over like that (clicks fingers). So we need to make sure we do enjoy it and make the most of this special moment."
