Viewers are hailing the BBC crime drama Dublin Murders as superior to acclaimed series like Happy Valley and Line of Duty. The eight-episode British-Irish police procedural, adapted from Tana French's novels, has captivated audiences with its twists and atmospheric storytelling.
What Is Dublin Murders About?
Created by Sarah Phelps, Dublin Murders is based on two novels from Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad series: In the Woods (2007) and The Likeness (2008). The series follows Detectives Rob Reilly and Cassie Maddox, played by Killian Scott and Sarah Greene, as they investigate the murder of a young girl on the outskirts of Dublin. The official synopsis states: "Detectives Rob Reilly and Cassie Maddox find themselves dispatched to investigate the murder of a young girl on the outskirts of Dublin, Ireland. Based on the books 'In the Woods' and 'The Likeness' by American-Irish writer Tana French, this psychological thriller features a cast of mostly Irish actors, including Killian Scott and Sarah Greene as the leads." The series tests the detectives' friendship as they delve deeper into the case's darkness.
Cast and Production
Alongside Scott and Greene, the cast includes Michael D'Arcy, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Eugene O'Hare, Moe Dunford, Ellie O'Halloran, Niall Jordan, and Ian Kenny. The show was initially commissioned by the BBC for BBC One and Starz, with Irish broadcaster RTÉ joining later. It is available for free on BBC iPlayer and via Netflix subscription.
Critical and Audience Acclaim
The series has received rave reviews. One critic noted: "Some crime series captivate because the mystery itself is so maddeningly mysterious, while the lure of others is largely the frisson between the leading detectives. This Irish drama of tragedy and intrigue has both in spades." Another reviewer said: "Don't let the dull title fool you; this is an excellent, unique crime story; a treat whether you're a fan of the source material or not." A third praised: "Dublin Murders is gripping, wonderfully atmospheric stuff that throws up mysteries galore." One reviewer declared it "better than many crime dramas."
Audience reactions have been equally enthusiastic. One viewer wrote: "I really dug the absolute hell out of this, def a beautifully brutal mini series, and the actors were perfect." An IMDb reviewer described it as "a mind twisting psychological thriller" that starts slow but unravels beautifully, adding: "just when you think you have it all worked out.... another bread crumb appears." Another IMDb user said: "Dublin Murders is very clever writing indeed, in fact, I haven't seen anything quite like it." A Rotten Tomatoes audience review added: "I think this is an excellent show! I'm so tired of American shows! The casting is marvelous; this is not the same old thing. Very true to the novels, and very good!"
Where to Watch Dublin Murders
Dublin Murders is streaming on BBC iPlayer now, with all eight episodes available to watch for free. It is also available on Netflix for subscribers.
