Heads up, detective drama fans! An adored Irish series is coming to the BBC this week and it goes by the name of Blackshore. The drama, which first aired on RTÉ in 2024 to great acclaim, features the ultimate TV trio: an atmospheric rural setting, a tortured female detective and, of course, a dark and mysterious missing person case. No wonder fans have called it "a very effective whodunnit".
To whet your appetite further, the story centres on DI Fia Lucey (Lisa Dwan) who’s relegated to policing in smalltown Ireland after being temporarily suspended from her big Dublin job due to her conduct. Despite the demotion, DI Lucey finds herself leading a huge investigation into the disappearance of a local woman. And it's a case that turns out to be hugely complicated - and not just because it links back to DI Lucey's traumatic past...
Ahead of Blackshore’s arrival on the BBC, here’s everything you need to know about it, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Blackshore about?
The six-part series revolves around DI Fia Lucey (Lisa Dwan), an ambitious, laser-focused detective who’s haunted by a tragic past that she keeps locked away. We meet DI Lucey as she’s been unceremoniously dumped from her high-powered, big city policing job in Dublin due to “undue force” allegations. As punishment for breaking the rules, she’s been placed in a policing position in a rural backwater close to her hometown, where she’s tasked with investigating the mysterious disappearance of a local woman.
The official synopsis continues: "The case brings a reluctant Fia face to face with her traumatic past and back into the fold of a community who are still processing the unwelcome attention that her historical case brought to the town: a town that remains steeped in its own secrets and lies. Blackshore explores the DNA of one town’s relationship with shame, guilt and the price of success."
Who’s in the cast of Blackshore?
The cast of Blackshore includes:
- Lisa Dwan as Fia Lucey
- Rory Keenan as Cian Furlong
- Aidan McArdle as Charlie Reid
- Amy De Bhrún as Niamh Furlong
- Stanley Townsend as Bill McGuire
- Andrew Bennet as Donal Riley
- Lisa Dwyer Hogg as Emma Riley
- Jade Jordan as Donna Walsh
- Lloyd Hutchinson as Supt. Shanahan
- Orla Charlton as Dierdre McGuire
- Barry McGovern as Dr James Whelan
- Hannah James-Scott as DG Angela Webster
- Mae Higgins as Young Fia
- Seán T. Ó Meallaigh as Jack Lucey
Is there a trailer for Blackshore?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for Blackshore below:
Is Blackshore any good?
Yes – when Blackshore debuted on RTÉ in 2024, it was widely described as the Irish equivalent of Scandi Noir due to the atmospheric setting and pacy plotting. Viewers and critics have called it “haunting”, “bingeworthy with plenty of cliffhangers” and “spirited”. It's an engrossing portrait of small-town life – where there are just as many secrets as residents…
How can I watch Blackshore?
Hurrah, there’s not long to wait as Blackshore is premiere at 9pm on Saturday 17th January on BBC Four.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
If you haven’t heard about Patience, now’s a good time to catch up, as the second series has recently arrived on Channel 4. One of the broadcaster’s biggest dramas when it debuted in 2025, the series centres on Patience Evans (Ella Maisy Purvis), an autistic civilian worker in the Police Criminal Records Office who has a knack for solving crime. You can watch Patience series 1 and 2 on Channel 4. We’d also recommend Rush, which follows a Police Tactical Response Unit in Melbourne as they deal with a range of incidents. Fans have called the series “unbeatable” – and we can confirm it's pretty brilliant! Rush series 1-3 is available to watch on Prime Video.
