BBC Quietly Drops All Episodes of Explosive New Irish Detective Drama That’s Gripping Viewers From Start to Finish — A Dark, Twisted Small-Town Mystery That’s Already Sparking Frenzied Calls for Season 2! A small-town murder mystery set in rural Ireland is quietly taking over BBC viewers’ winter nights. This six-part series hooks you with authentic storytelling, cliffhangers, and a brilliant lead detective with a shadowed past. Fans say it’s “gripping from beginning to end” and perfect for cozy binge-watching. If you love crime dramas with heart and edge, this one’s an absolute must-watch — and the calls for a second season are already pouring in.
Lisa Dwan plays Fia Lacey in Blackshore(Image: BBC)
Fans of crime dramas have been spolied for choice on BBC One this January with The Night Manager airing on Sunday nights and new detective drama Lynley taking the primetime spot on a Monday Evening, but there’s another series viewers can’t stop talking about.
A brand new Irish detective drama with a small-town mystery started on BBC Four at 9pm on Saturday, January 17. The show kicked off with a double bill, with the second episode airing immediately after at 9:55pm.
Called Blackshore, the six-part series, which first debuted in Ireland on RTÉ back in February 2024, is now available to stream in its entirety after all episodes quietly dropped on BBC iPlayer, and those who have binged watched it have hailed it as “gripping from beginning to end”.
For more bingeworthy drama – pun intended – check out this Netflix beauty or this ITV boxset.
Jeff Stelling lands new job after ‘sad’ Sky Sports exit and angry phone call
I usually shop at M&S but the price of 1 item left me speechless
Blackshore stars Lisa Dwan, known for Bloodlands, Topboy and MobLand, as DS Fia Lucey, a detective investigating a missing persons case that takes her back to her home town and makes her face her traumatic past.
Lisa Dwan plays Fia Lacey and Rory Keenan is Cian Furlong in Blackshore(Image: BBC)
A synopsis from the BBC reads: “When her career in Dublin is threatened due to a series of undue force allegations, DS Fia Lucey is sent back to her hometown of Blackwater to cool off and investigate a missing person case. There, she finds herself right back in the centre of a community who have never forgotten her family’s tragic past. A tight-knit community that is steeped in secrets and lies.”
Starring alongside Lisa is Rory Keenan, known for Striking Out, Versailles, The Duchess, and Somewhere Boy, Amy De Bhrún, who viewers will recognise from Borderline, Line of Duty and Vikings, and Aidan McArdle, who has starred in Bergerac, Showtrial and Ridley.
Other cast members include Stanley Townsend, Clara Fitzgerald, Orla Charlton, Dara Devaney and Barry McGovern. Blackshore has proved popular among those who have already watched it with a user rating of 6.8 out of 10 on IMbD.
Blackshore is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now (Image: BBC)
One fan wrote: “Gripping from beginning to end, bingeworthy with plenty of cliffhangers and a brilliant lead! Rough around the egdes with a past as any proper Detective or DI and then some, they couldn’t have found a better actress for this character.”
While another added: “This is an enjoyable series that’s definitely worth watching. Lisa Dwan delivers a great performance and looks fantastic in the show, and the general cast are very good too.
“Murder mystery and history in rural Ireland. Feels pretty authentic and whilst the plot is quite similar to others, it keeps one interested. If you’re looking for a crime drama to watch on a winters evening then this does the trick.”
Viewers who caught the show on BBC Four have also been sharing their thoughts. Taking to the social media platform X, one wrote: “Enjoyed the first episode…distracted by spotting cast members from other series.”
While another added: “Well, that first episode flew by which is usually a good sign in my opinion.” Others enjoyed the first two episodes so much they are already calling for a second season.
“Great drama,” one social media user wrote, before adding: “Really wanted a second series too but it’s not been produced yet.” While a second echoed: “Loved it – hope there will be more.”
Blackshore will return to BBC Four at 9:25pm with episode three and four on Saturday, Janaury 24, alternatively the whole series is available to stream on iPlayer now.
