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Rebellion director Aku Louhimies demanded his cast forget all romantic notions of 1916 on the set of the RTE drama.

The Finnish film-maker is believed to have been chosen for the job as he had an impartial stance on the highly divisive events of the Easter Rising – and demanded the same from his actors.

But stars Andrew Simpson and Paul Reid said they felt a huge sense of pride at being chosen to star in

the hit drama and admitted that things did get emotional on set.

Andrew, who plays George Wilson, said: “This has been the biggest thing. It’s great to be a part of this. I have a small role, but there’s huge pride.

“I didn’t know much about 1916 and what I knew was off a text book.

"This definitely brings it back.

"It’s only a hundred years.

"I would have thought it was long in the distance, nothing to do with us but it was really emotional making it.”

He added: “That’s why Aku was so important.

"He wouldn’t let you elevate or romanticise anything.

"He would drill it into you.”

(Image: RTÉ 2015)

He said: “It was all in the moment, it was all new information.”

Andrew was hugely impressed by Aku’s devotion to authenticity.

He said: “I was doing a scene with [Padraig] Pearse and I had to light my cigarette. I dropped it and burned myself.

“He was like, ‘Perfect, do that again.’

“He likes when things go wrong. If you stumble on a line or something, he loves it. It’s more real.”

(Image: Collins Photo Agency)

Meanwhile Paul Reid revealed his parents were filled with pride that he was starring in the TV drama.

He said: “They love it, not just because we’re on TV. It’s a really significant thing to be part of, I think. And it’s quality.”