Award-winning Irish crime drama Kin will hit BBC screens soon, after the broadcaster acquired it from distribution company Fifth Season.
The acclaimed Irish crime drama Kin is set to make a triumphant return to screens as it finds its new home on BBC One in Britain.
The hard-hitting series that proved very popular among viewers in Ireland boasted a star-studded cast with famous actors such as Aidan Gillen and Ciarán Hinds amongst its ranks.
Kin – an acclaimed Irish crime drama
Kin proved to be a huge hit for RTÉ in Ireland, earning rave reviews after debuting on RTÉ One in September 2021. The finale of season two, which aired last May, had an audience of almost 500,000 people, accounting for approximately 37% of the overall available audience.
Kin went on to win six gongs at the 2022 Irish Film & Television Academy Awards, including Best Drama Script for creator Peter McKenna and Best Drama.
Stars of the Dublin-set show also collected a variety of awards, with Sam Keeley (Best Lead Actor), Clare Dunne (Best Lead Actress), Hinds (Best Supporting Actor), and Maria Doyle Kennedy (Best Supporting Actress) all experiencing success.
“Anchored by a tremendous cast, Kin is a powerful and intense story of love, grief, family, and crime and its devastating ramifications,” praised Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition.
Gangland war – an ongoing issue in Ireland
The series is inspired by the real-life issue of gangland warfare in Ireland. In Kin, the local crime family called the Kinsellas find themselves engaged in a gangland war with the international Cunningham cartel, headed up in Ireland by their leader, Eamon Cunningham.
While outnumbered, outfinanced, and outgunned, the Kinsellas have to rely on their bonds of blood and family to overcome the defying odds.
Bringing Kin to life on the BBC – showcasing the hit TV show to a new audience
Speaking about the company’s excitement at bringing Kin to the BBC, Fifth Season’s Jennifer Ebell said, “Kin aired in Ireland to critical acclaim and has generated record-breaking ratings across both linear and on-demand.
“The series has clocked up more than four million lifetime streams in Ireland, with the second season averaging a 40 per cent audience share in its Sunday night slot and its finale becoming the most-viewed programme of the year outside of sport.
“We’re thrilled that Kin has found its UK home with the BBC”.
While a premiere date has yet to be officially set for Kin, the eight-part series is expected to air on both BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
