Fair City stars George McMahon and Rachel Wren have said there are "exciting times" in store for their characters Mondo and Ruby and the rest of Carrigstown as Lidl opens in the neighbourhood.
Fans of the RTÉ One soap are set to see plenty of red, yellow, and blue as the shop opens next Tuesday with Mondo and Ruby in the middle of all the drama and fun.
"So, Mondo works in PR and he's helping with the launch of Lidl," actor McMahon explained to RTÉ Entertainment.
"It's obviously a big contract for him and he's to work hand-in-hand with Renee (played by Una Crawford O'Brien), who's a bit of a busybody! She loves to feel like she's in charge. It's like we're kind of vying for attention from Lidl head office.
"Helping Mondo out is Ruby in the office, and between the two of us, we're kind of stressed trying to get the launch up and running.
"It's a nice little springboard for Mondo and Ruby because it seems like they've got a good working relationship going forward. Hopefully, they'll be on to the next thing and Comet (Mondo's company) will be ruling the PR world!"
"I think Ruby massively looks up to Mondo," said co-star Wren.
"She's such a hard worker and stuff, and her dad (Victor, played by Mark Asante) is a hard worker but in a very different way [to Mondo].
"I think with their past history and stuff (Mondo's partner Kira, played by Lynseyann Mulvey-Bowe, having an affair with Ruby's father Victor), she has always had a soft spot for Mondo, and they've always really looked out for each other. They really care about each other.
"And also, they work really, really well together! They have a lot of fun in between all the stress! They can read each other well and know how to navigate things really well together."
McMahon said that over the years, Carrigstown has gone from a small corner shop to the "Narnia" of having its own Lidl.
"It kind of felt like Sports Day in school," he said of filming the grand opening scenes for the new supermarket. "Everyone with smiles on their faces just made our day so much fun. Days like that are definitely as fun as they look."
"It was a great buzz," Wren agreed.
"I've definitely never been with so many people on set, and it was also great to have so many young people and people who are big fans of the show being able to guest appear and be part of that experience. It was lovely to have them around as well. Everyone was in really great form and there was little jellies and stuff, so I was having a great time!"
McMahon said that the new supermarket's opening coincides with "a really busy summer" in Carrigstown and "lots of stuff coming up after the summer as well".
"As an actor in a soap, conflict is where all the magic is at, so you never know what's down the road..." he teased.
When the actors were asked for their own 'Middle Aisle storylines' - the wish list plots they would love to see happen - both gave the Fair City writers and fans food for thought.
"I would love to see Ruby and Gwen (played by Emily Lamey) team up for some absolute utter shenanigans!" Wren enthused.
"I just think those two characters would have so much fun - Ruby idolising Gwen and trying to be cool for her and then just getting into loads of trouble. I loved the Gwen and Zak (Stephen O'Leary) storyline with the diamond, and so having Ruby come in and do something like that with her, I think that would be really, really fun."
"My one is a road trip - and it's Cass (Eamon Morrissey), Mondo, and Ray (Mick Nolan)!" McMahon continued.
"We need to go to the Gaeltacht for some reason and we end up in Tigh Tadhg's having pints in Ros na Rún. The crossover episode we all need and want! I'm putting it out there to the Universe. We have to make it happen."
"How has that never happened before?!" asked Wren.
"I don't know, but tá me réidh!" McMahon replied.
Fair City airs on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
