Adam Bernstein, the Emmy-winning American director, has signed on to helm the Irish coming-of-age comedy Bender. The film, written by Irish screenwriter Adrian Cunningham, is scheduled to begin production this summer.

Set in late 1970s Dublin during the anticipation of a papal visit, Bender draws inspiration from Cunningham’s own post-punk adolescence. The story follows a group of teenage outsiders as they navigate the complexities of growing up in a rapidly changing Ireland, marked by social anxieties, religious fervor, and cultural contradictions.

Bill Burr (F is for Family, Breaking Bad, The Mandalorian) stars as a tough American record-store owner who convinces a group of misfit teens that their best—and perhaps only—chance to lose their virginity before graduating is to attend a massive open-air mass for the visiting Pope. Lesley-Ann Brandt (Lucifer) also joins the cast.

Bernstein brings a wealth of television experience to the project, having directed episodes of acclaimed series such as 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 the seventh episode, titled “The Gap,” of the Apple TV+ series Pluribus.

Lesley-Ann Brandt and Adrian Cunningham are producing Bender through their US-based company D6 Entertainment, in collaboration with Irish production company Reflektor Media, led by producers Stephen McCormack and Craig Verdon. Casting is being managed in London by Amy Kate Dolan. The film’s release date has not yet been announced.

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