Read more: 400 Irish arts events for United States

Read more: Gabriel Byrne says Irish have a ‘right to feel betrayed’

Movie goers rejoice. Irish screen star Gabriel Byrne is set to play a gritty detective in I, Anna, an atmospheric suspense movie that began filming last week.

The film is told in flashback by a seductive femme fatale (Charlotte Rampling) who falls in love with Byrne's character, who is investigating a murder.

All right we admit that's the plot of just about every film noir ever made, but - Gabriel Byrne - so do we care?

When a man is found bludgeoned to death in a London apartment block. Detective Bernie Kominski (Byrne) an insomniac dazed by the prospect of divorce, is first on the scene, but he instantly distracted from his duties by a brief encounter with a striking and enigmatic woman.

But as he investigates Bernie’s thoughts return to the woman, Anna Welles, whom he tracks down and follows.

When they finally meet at a party, the mutual attraction is instant, though Anna has no recollection of Bernie, or of the night they first met. As Bernie’s professional judgment battles with his desire for intimacy and love, the mystery deep within Anna’s mind finally unravels, revealing a truth too painful to bear.

Ok, we're hooked. Get in line now folks - the film will screen sometime in 2012.

Read more: 400 Irish arts events for United States

Read more: Gabriel Byrne says Irish have a ‘right to feel betrayed’