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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Sam Roberts

Truth behind dramatic viral video of man 'catching fire' in Co Antrim

A dramatic video showing a man "catching fire" in a police car has gone viral on social media.

The film shows flames engulfing a police car, followed by civilians and what appear to be police officers running from the scene.

However despite some fears that the terrifying video was real, it has emerged that it was merely part of filming for a TV show.

The footage is understood to have been captured in Ballyclare, Co Antrim.

Northern Irish actor James Nesbitt was spotted taking part in the scene by eagle-eyed fans, and it is expected that it will form part of the upcoming BBC crime drama Bloodlands.

The new series follows detective Tom Branick, played by Nesbitt, as he connects a recently discovered suicide note with an infamous cold case that has enormous personal significance.

The show is written by Chris Brandon, who will be most well-known as the force behind TV3’s Irish crime drama Red Rock.

Speaking last year when the series was first announced, Mr Nesbitt told the BBC: "It’s great to be back making a drama in and about Northern Ireland, which now has a film and television industry as good as any in the world.

"We have compelling scripts from a brilliant young writer who was raised in County Down, which are very exciting and psychologically complex. I can’t wait to start.”

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