If you’ve worked your way through the likes of Shetland, Line Of Duty and Happy Valley and need a brilliant new crime drama to get stuck into, we’ve found your next binge-watch. The endlessly watchable series Jack Taylor takes us to Galway and introduces us to the unconventional detective, who finds himself suddenly out of the Gardaí (the Irish police force).
Game Of Thrones star Iain Glen plays Jack Taylor, a self-destructive, heavy-drinking former Garda who becomes a private investigator – taking on the cases that others daren’t touch. But after years of burning bridges through his recklessness, temper and impulsivity – can he stop his troubled past from jeopardising his success? Well, you don't have to wait to find out, and what unfolds is so gripping - it deserves to be first place on your watchlist.
Intrigued? With the series available to watch this week, here’s everything you need to know about Jack Taylor, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Jack Taylor about?
Based on Ken Bruen’s bestselling novels, the nine-part crime drama first aired in Ireland in 2010 and takes us to Galway, where former police detective Garda Jack Taylor (Iain Glen) begins working as a private investigator. Jack has a lot of demons (to say the least). He’s stubborn, self-destructive and struggles with alcoholism. The drama kicks off with his dismissal from the Gardaí after he assaults a politician during a traffic stop.
Naturally, he has ruined a lot of relationships with local coppers and requires the help of newbie Garda Kate Noonan (Nora-Jane Noone) and his sidekick Cody Farraher (Killian Scott). Despite his personal woes, he has an unbeaten instinct for finding culprits through recognising details that others overlook.
Across the first series, he searches for a missing girl, comes up against a frenzied vigilante group and investigate the historic abuse of the Magdalene laundries (institutions for so-called fallen women). The second series finds Jack trying to remain sober while investigating the bizarre death of a university student, a beheaded priest and the fatal shooting of a woman – whose young daughter may have witnessed the killer. In the final series, his cases include a man found crucified, the kidnapping of an old enemy and the theft of valuable data from a software company.
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Glen previously spoke to Vanity Fair about how the series is quintessentially Irish. ‘There’s a strong obsession with religion and Catholicism within Ireland, which has done lots of good things and lots of bad things,’ he told the publication. ‘The Irish boom-and-bust business – they made hay, and then it all went pear-shaped – means Jack is always deeply suspicious of business and those that are making money out of the community,’ he added.
Who’s in the cast of Jack Taylor?
The cast of Jack Taylor includes:
- Iain Glen (Game Of Thrones, Downton Abbey) as Jack Taylor
- Nora-Jane Noone (Hidden Assets, The Ipcress File) as Garda Kate Noonan
- Killian Scott (Dublin Murders, The Capture) as Cody Farraher
- Siobhán O'Kelly (High -Rise) as Garda Kate Noonan
- Tara Breathnach (The Last Days of Anne Boleyn) as Anne Henderson
- Frank O'Sullivan (The Guards) as Superintendent Clancy
- Bill Murphy (Vikings:Valhalla) as Ford
- Páraic Breathnach (Killinaskully) as Father Malachy
- Jack Monaghan (The Ark) as Darragh Noonan
Is Jack Taylor any good?
Yes – if you’re a fan of gruff detectives, such as Wallander, there’s plenty to love about Jack Taylor. Iain Glen makes the self-sabotaging yet extremely talented detective mesmerising – with his volatility making him a far cry from a conventional hero. However, his own experiences leave him empathetic towards outsiders and those who have been downtrodden by the system. This combination gives him an edge that connects with a lot of people – and the city of Galway adds another layer of grit and atmosphere to the drama.
Is there a trailer for Jack Taylor?
Yes – you can watch the full trailer for Jack Taylor below.
How can I watch Jack Taylor?
All episodes of Jack Taylor are available to watch now on ITVX.
What other crime dramas can I watch now?
For something cosier, try The Chelsea Detective. We follow Detective Inspector Max Arnold (Adrian Scarborough), who’s a tad different from the wealthy residents he helps out, as he cracks puzzling cases in the upmarket west London borough. The Chelsea Detective is available to stream now on U. For an unbeatable and gritty detective drama steeped in history, we’d point you towards Inspector George Gently, where the eponymous anti-corruption inspector takes a rash and young DS John Bacchus (Lee Ingleby) under his wing as they solve a string of complex crimes in 1960s North East England. Inspector George Gently is available to stream now on Netflix.
