“Crime drama at its finest”: Inside the “modified’ third series of Kin with “superb” new twist

Ever since Kin’s explosive finale (ahem, back in 2023), we’ve been holding out hope for the Kinsella family’s return to our screens. And while that hope started to fade when the show’s co-producer reportedly went bust, it turns out we shouldn’t have given up just yet. The RTÉ series (it's also on the BBC) - which, in our humble opinion is crime drama at its finest - is officially making a comeback with a “modified” third series – and a superb new twist that even we didn’t see coming.

While the Dublin gangster family is indeed returning, the series is set to be its darkest yet with the Kinsella's set to face their most challenging turn of events yet. And their biggest enemy? Each other, it seems. Surely they know better than that? With the BBC also on board for the next instalment, we have a feeling we're in for the best - and perhaps the most explosive - series yet.

While we patiently wait for the third series of Kin to arrive on our screens, here’s everything we know about it, including the plot, cast and when we expect it to air.

What is Kin about?

The series, which first aired on RTÉ One in Ireland in 2021 and later on the BBC, takes us to Dublin where we meet local crime family the Kinsellas. The family become embroiled in a violent gangland war with an international cartel and their antics take us on quite the rollercoaster ride.

The Kinsellas are led by Frank (Aidan Gillen) and his seemingly tight-knit family, while the Cunningham cartel is a vast global organisation. It quickly becomes clear that it’s David vs Goliath with the Kinsellas out-numbered, out-financed and out-gunned – but they won’t give up the fight that easily.

How did they end up here in the situation in the first place, you ask? Well, the Kinsellas make their money by selling drugs supplied by crime lord Eamon Cunningham (Ciarán Hinds), which seemingly works without a hitch until one of Cunningham’s men accidentally kills Jamie, the teenage son of Jimmy Kinsella (Emmett J. Scanlan) and his wife Amanda (Clare Dunne). And while the Cunningham's really aren’t to be messed with, the Kinsellas want revenge.

Though Eamon offers a cash payment in compensation for the death, Jamie’s family isn’t wiling to forgive and forget, particularly not his mother. Thus, the Kinsellas find themselves holed up in their Dublin stronghold while their businesses fail, and family members and associates are picked off.

We follow their story across two series and, while we won’t be giving away any spoilers, series 2 ended in rather dramatic fashion. We saw two major deaths, which left us wondering where on earth the Kinsella family would go from here. And it seems we’ll have to tune in to series 3 to find out...

What will happen in Kin series 3?

Series 3 will see the return of the Kinsella family to our screens – and if you enjoy a bit of family drama, you’ll certainly find it in the new episodes. The official synopsis reads: “As buried betrayals resurface and internal rivalries intensify, the new series promises the darkest and most compelling chapter yet of the Kinsella story.

Excitingly, we know that star Emmett J Scanlan, who plays Jimmy, will return. Emmett announced the news on his Instagram page, telling fans: “The question I get asked the most is, ‘Is there gonna be a season three of Kin?’” After a pause, he confirmed: “Yeah, there is.”

With the show’s original co-producer having gone bust, it appears that the BBC is on board for the third series, which will be produced by Irish company Metropolitan Pictures, with some involvement from production company House of Juno. We’d imagine the series will be given something of a refresh – and have a few modifications – as a result.

Who’s in the cast of Kin series 3?

So far, the confirmed cast of Kin series 3 includes:

• Emmett J. Scanlan (Peaky Blinders) as Jimmy Kinsella

We’re also expecting the following cast members to return:

• Clare Dunne (Herself) as Amanda Kinsella
• Charlie Cox (Daredevil) as Michael Kinsella
• Sam Keeley (The Cured) as Eric "Viking" Kinsella
• Maria Doyle Kennedy (Outlander) as Bridget "Birdy" Goggins
• Yasmin Seky (Murder Most Puzzling) as Nikita Murphy

Is Kin any good?

Yes – if you like shows such as MobLand and This City is Ours, you’ll find a lot to like about Kin. It’s brilliantly written, intense, emotional and you can’t help but feel genuinely invested in the Kinsella family.

How can I watch Kin series 3?

The third series of Kin is currently in production and is likely to air on RTÉ One and the BBC at some point in 2027. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we’ll share it here.

What other crime dramas can I watch now?

If you’re a Nicola Walker fan, we’d highly recommend watching Inside Men. The series tells the story of a heist planned by three ordinary security depot workers (with a little help from their partners) and Nicola is exceptional in it. You can watch Inside Men now on Prime Video. For those who are missing Shetland, we’d suggest In the Dark. Helen Weeks (MyAnna Buring) is the whip-smart yet troubled detective who navigates complex crimes while grappling with an unexpected pregnancy. All four episodes are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.