Irish coming-of-age comedy Bender, penned by Irish screenwriter Adrian Cunningham, has found its director in Emmy-winning US filmmaker Adam Bernstein. Set to shoot this summer, the feature marks Bernstein’s latest move into feature filmmaking following his recent work on Apple TV+ hit series Pluribus.

Set in late-1970s Dublin against the backdrop of a looming papal visit, Bender draws directly on Cunningham’s own post-punk coming-of-age experiences. The story unfolds amidst the social anxieties, religious fervour and cultural contradictions of the period, following a group of teenage outsiders navigating adolescence in a rapidly changing Ireland.

US comedian and actor Bill Burr (F is for Family, Breaking Bad, The Mandalorian) stars as a gruff American record-store owner who persuades a ragtag gang of teenage misfits that their “best, and possibly only” chance to lose their virginity before finishing high school lies in attending a massive open-air mass for the visiting Pope. The cast also includes Lesley-Ann Brandt (Lucifer).

Bernstein brings extensive television experience to the project, having directed episodes of series including Scrubs, 30 Rock, Fargo, Oz, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Californication, Orange is the New Black, The Sinner, Fosse/Verdon and Silo. Most recently, he directed episode seven - entitled “The Gap” - of Pluribus.

Brandt and Cunningham are producing Bender under their US-based banner D6 Entertainment, in partnership with Irish outfit Reflektor Media, led by producers Stephen McCormack and Craig Verdon. Casting is being handled out of London by Amy Kate Dolan.

The project’s release date is yet to be disclosed.