A novel by a Killarney-born author has been adapted into a series by Apple TV+ and will be seen by millions worldwide this week.

Colin O'Sullivan was born in Killarney in 1974 and is now based in Tokyo, Japan where he works as a teacher.

His latest book, ‘The Dark Manual’, the third one in his portfolio, is a dark comedy that tells the story of a robot that befriends an Irish widow. Their unlikely friendship unravels the truth behind her husband’s death.

On Wednesday this week, (July 10) Apple TV will release the first two episodes of ‘Sunny’, the adaptation of his novel ‘The Dark Manual'.

The first of ten episodes will be screened to a huge worldwide TV audience starring Rashida Jones and Hidetoshi Nishijima (Japan’s most cherished actor).

American actress Jones is best known for roles in TV series like ‘The Office’.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the success of the adaptation to screen. Initial reviews have been very positive, and everyone is very excited about it. Already there are talks of a Season 2 but there are no concrete plans until September,” said Colin.

Colin’s parents Pa and Betty O’Sullivan ran the very successful Safe Hands Dry Cleaners in Killarney up to their retirement.

His first novel 'Killarney Blues' (2013), won the Prix Mystère, a prestigious crime fiction award in France.
He also wrote 'The Starved Lover Sings' (2017).

'Dark Manual' was published in 2018.

The new series will be a 10-episode half-hour dark comedy-drama and was created by Katie Robbins and directed by Lucy Tcherniak, with Jones serving as executive producer.