Crime drama KIN to return to RTÉ next year

The popular Dublin crime drama KIN is officially returning to RTÉ next year, much to the relief of its fans. The show's production was previously put on hold in 2023 following the unexpected bankruptcy of its Canadian co-producer, Bron Studios, which cast a shadow over the series' future. The announcement comes as RTÉ unveils its most ambitious drama schedule to date, promising 160 hours of Irish drama throughout 2026.

KIN, which debuted in 2021 and quickly garnered a reputation as a successor to the acclaimed LOVE/HATE, follows the turbulent lives of the fictional Kinsella crime family. Co-created by Peter McKenna and Ciaran Donnelly, the series stars Aidan Gillen, Clare Dunne, and Ciarán Hinds. Its second season aired in 2023 and was subsequently acquired by major international platforms like the BBC and Netflix. The show's return is particularly anticipated after season two ended with Amanda Kinsella, played by Clare Dunne, taking the reins of the family's operations.

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KIN Season Three reunites the nation with the Kinsella crime family. As they consolidate power, buried betrayals and festering rivalries turn inward, and the greatest threat to the family empire becomes the family itself.

Speculation about a third season has been rife since Bron Studios' collapse. However, the new season is reportedly already in production, spearheaded by Irish company Metropolitan Pictures and House of Juno. The synopsis for KIN Season Three teases a narrative focused on the Kinsella family consolidating power, but warns that "buried betrayals and festering rivalries turn inward, and the greatest threat to the family empire becomes the family itself."

Beyond KIN, RTÉ's new drama slate includes "The Walsh Sisters," based on Marian Keyes' novels, and "Tall Tales & Murder," a new dark comedy drama from LOVE/HATE creator Stuart Carolan. Also featured is "The Yank," a six-part series starring Kate Mulgrew as an NYPD detective taking a career break in rural Ireland. The extensive schedule underscores RTÉ's commitment to producing high-quality, homegrown drama.

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KIN will return to RTÉ television next year after going off air in 2023 due to the collapse of Canadian co-producer Bron Studios.