Kin

Kin

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9 / 10

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Overview

The lives of a Dublin family embroiled in a gangland war and the consequences of their choices.

Media

Kin Season 1 Trailer | Rotten Tomatoes TV

Cast

Maria Doyle Kennedy

Creator:

Peter McKenna, Ciaran Donnelly

Fist Air Date:

2021-09-09

Episode Runtime:

50m

Production Companies:

RTÉ, Bron Studios, Headline Pictures, Viaplay Group

Genres:

Keywords:

crime family drug trafficking dublin, ireland ex-con gangster organized crime

More Show Details

Vote Average: 7.6/10

Vote Count: 72 Votes

Show Popularity: 7.6326

Show Status: Canceled

Show Type: Scripted

Spoken Languages: English

Review

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Insomniacs Reviews
- 04 May 2026 at 2:08 pm

9 Based on 1 Votes
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⭐ Insomniacs Rating: 9/10 THE SUMMARY The Kinsellas are a small, tight-knit crime family in Dublin, but they are playing in a league that might be too big for them. When a hot-headed mistake leads to a clash with an international cartel, the family is pushed to the brink of extinction. This isn’t a show about glamorous gangsters; it’s a grim, suffocating look at the reality of being outgunned and outnumbered. It’s a story of grief, loyalty, and the terrifying realization that once a war starts, there is no way to stop the bloodshed until someone is left standing alone. THE PROS This is a 9/10 because it trades typical action tropes for intense, character-driven drama. Charlie Cox and Aidan Gillen are fantastic, but Clare Dunne as Amanda is the real heart of the show—watching her transform from a grieving mother into a calculating strategist is incredible. The tension is constant, built through quiet conversations in dark kitchens rather than just constant shootouts. The cinematography gives Dublin a cold, clinical feel that heightens the sense of dread. It hits "Epic" status because it treats the consequences of violence with a weight that most crime shows ignore, making every loss feel personal and heavy. THE CONS It misses the 10/10 mark because the pacing is a very deliberate crawl. If you’re looking for high-speed chases and constant gunplay, you might find the first few episodes a bit of a slog as the pieces are put into place. It settles at a 9 because while the story is gripping, the internal family bickering can occasionally feel like it's retreading the same ground. It’s a masterpiece of tension, but you definitely need to be in the right frame of mind for something this bleak. THE VERDICT A massive 9/10. It is a genuine "titan" of a series that stands tall alongside shows like *Love/Hate*. It isn't a 10 because of the slow-burn approach, but it’s still one of the best Irish exports in years. If you want a crime drama that feels dangerous and honest, get this watched immediately. INSOMNIAC TRIVIA • Creative Continuity: Peter McKenna, the show's creator, is a veteran of Irish television. He wanted to move away from the "flashy" gangster image and consulted with people close to real Dublin conflicts to ensure the paranoia and family dynamics felt authentic.• Filming Secrets: Even though it’s set in the heart of Dublin, many of the interior scenes were filmed in controlled studio environments to capture that specific, claustrophobic lighting that defines the show's look.• Global Success: Despite its very specific Irish roots, the show became a massive hit on international streaming platforms, leading to a second season that many fans argue is even better than the first. THE VIBE Like sitting in a car with the engine off while someone watches you from across the street. It smells like rain on asphalt and cold coffee. It’s tense, quiet, and deeply uncomfortable. It makes you want to lock the doors, stay away from the windows, and realize that family is the only thing that matters when the world is closing in.

TV Show Poster

Season 1

8 Episodes

Air Date: 2021-09-09

TV Show Poster

Season 2

8 Episodes

Air Date: 2023-03-19

The Kinsellas are at the top of the game in Dublin, but killing Eamon Cunningham has created as many problems as it solved. They have incurred the wrath of an enemy even more dangerous than him. And where once there were unbreakable bonds of blood and family, now there is only suspicion, distrust, and resentment. But the greatest threat to the family emerges from within: in the shape of a ruthless, bullying, agent of chaos. Fortunately, from positions of great adversity the boldest plans are often forged. And so it is with the Kinsellas.

Videos

Kin Season 1 Trailer | Rotten Tomatoes TV

Cast

Maria Doyle Kennedy

Emmett J. Scanlan

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Kin

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Kin

Comment (1)

Insomniacs Reviews
- 4 May 2026 at 3:08 PM

⭐ Insomniacs Rating: 9/10
THE SUMMARY
The Kinsellas are a small, tight-knit crime family in Dublin, but they are playing in a league that might be too big for them. When a hot-headed mistake leads to a clash with an international cartel, the family is pushed to the brink of extinction. This isn’t a show about glamorous gangsters; it’s a grim, suffocating look at the reality of being outgunned and outnumbered. It’s a story of grief, loyalty, and the terrifying realization that once a war starts, there is no way to stop the bloodshed until someone is left standing alone.
THE PROS
This is a 9/10 because it trades typical action tropes for intense, character-driven drama. Charlie Cox and Aidan Gillen are fantastic, but Clare Dunne as Amanda is the real heart of the show—watching her transform from a grieving mother into a calculating strategist is incredible. The tension is constant, built through quiet conversations in dark kitchens rather than just constant shootouts. The cinematography gives Dublin a cold, clinical feel that heightens the sense of dread. It hits “Epic” status because it treats the consequences of violence with a weight that most crime shows ignore, making every loss feel personal and heavy.
THE CONS
It misses the 10/10 mark because the pacing is a very deliberate crawl. If you’re looking for high-speed chases and constant gunplay, you might find the first few episodes a bit of a slog as the pieces are put into place. It settles at a 9 because while the story is gripping, the internal family bickering can occasionally feel like it’s retreading the same ground. It’s a masterpiece of tension, but you definitely need to be in the right frame of mind for something this bleak.
THE VERDICT
A massive 9/10. It is a genuine “titan” of a series that stands tall alongside shows like *Love/Hate*. It isn’t a 10 because of the slow-burn approach, but it’s still one of the best Irish exports in years. If you want a crime drama that feels dangerous and honest, get this watched immediately.
INSOMNIAC TRIVIA
• Creative Continuity: Peter McKenna, the show’s creator, is a veteran of Irish television. He wanted to move away from the “flashy” gangster image and consulted with people close to real Dublin conflicts to ensure the paranoia and family dynamics felt authentic.
• Filming Secrets: Even though it’s set in the heart of Dublin, many of the interior scenes were filmed in controlled studio environments to capture that specific, claustrophobic lighting that defines the show’s look.
• Global Success: Despite its very specific Irish roots, the show became a massive hit on international streaming platforms, leading to a second season that many fans argue is even better than the first.
THE VIBE
Like sitting in a car with the engine off while someone watches you from across the street. It smells like rain on asphalt and cold coffee. It’s tense, quiet, and deeply uncomfortable. It makes you want to lock the doors, stay away from the windows, and realize that family is the only thing that matters when the world is closing in.

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