RTÉ Unveils New Season with KIN Return, Traitors Ireland, and Tommy Tiernan Special
RTÉ has unveiled its new season of programming, headlined by the return of the acclaimed crime drama KIN, a new series of The Traitors Ireland, a Tommy Tiernan special, and a new drama from the creator of Love/Hate — a schedule that the national broadcaster is presenting as its most ambitious in years, with a particular emphasis on home-grown content that reflects the full diversity of Irish life and storytelling.
Background
RTÉ has been navigating a period of significant institutional and financial challenge over the past two years, following the controversies that led to the departure of its previous director-general and a comprehensive review of the broadcaster's governance and funding model. The new season launch represents an attempt to reassert RTÉ's creative ambition and its relevance to Irish audiences at a moment when competition from streaming platforms and international broadcasters has never been more intense.
The broadcaster's drama output has been one of its strongest cards in recent years. KIN, the crime drama set in the world of Dublin's criminal gangs, was one of the most-watched Irish television programmes of the past decade, attracting large audiences both on RTÉ and internationally through its distribution deal with AMC Networks. The show's combination of compelling characters, authentic Dublin settings, and unflinching examination of the consequences of organised crime struck a chord with Irish audiences in a way that few domestic dramas have managed.
The Traitors Ireland, which adapts the international format for an Irish context, has also been a significant success for RTÉ, generating substantial social media engagement and water-cooler conversation that the broadcaster has struggled to achieve with some of its other programming. The show's combination of psychological tension, strategic gameplay, and the distinctive personalities of its Irish contestants has made it one of the most talked-about programmes on Irish television.
Key Developments
The new season of KIN will pick up the story of the Kinsella family following the dramatic events of the previous series, with the show's creator Stuart Carolan promising a season that is "darker and more complex" than anything that has come before. The cast, which includes Emmett Scanlan, Clare Dunne, and Aidan Gillen, returns in full, with several new characters introduced to reflect the changing dynamics of Dublin's criminal landscape.
The new series of The Traitors Ireland will feature a new cast of contestants drawn from across the island, with the show's producers indicating that the 2026 series will include a higher proportion of contestants from outside Dublin than previous series. The Irish language will feature more prominently in the new series, reflecting the show's commitment to representing the full linguistic diversity of Irish society. McSweeney, one of the producers, said: "We couldn't be happier with how the show has developed. The Irish audience has really embraced it."
The new drama from the creator of Love/Hate — described by RTÉ as the standout show of the new season — is a six-part series set in contemporary Ireland that explores themes of identity, belonging, and the legacy of the Celtic Tiger era. The show has been produced with a budget that RTÉ describes as the largest ever committed to a single Irish drama production, reflecting the broadcaster's determination to compete with the production values of international streaming platforms.
Why It Matters
RTÉ's new season matters because the national broadcaster plays a unique role in Irish cultural life that no streaming platform or international broadcaster can replicate. RTÉ is the institution that covers Irish politics, sport, and culture from an Irish perspective, that provides a platform for Irish voices and stories, and that connects communities across the island in ways that commercial broadcasters have neither the mandate nor the incentive to do. Its ability to produce ambitious, high-quality drama and entertainment is central to its claim on the licence fee and on the loyalty of Irish audiences.
The emphasis on home-grown content in the new season reflects a recognition that this is where RTÉ's competitive advantage lies. Irish audiences can access international drama and entertainment from dozens of sources, but they can only get authentically Irish storytelling from RTÉ and a small number of other domestic producers. The investment in KIN, The Traitors Ireland, and the new Love/Hate creator drama is a bet that Irish audiences will continue to value that authenticity.
Local Impact
For the Irish television production industry — centred in Dublin but with significant activity in Cork, Galway, and Belfast — RTÉ's commitment to ambitious home-grown content is a vital source of employment and creative opportunity. The production of KIN alone employs hundreds of people across writing, directing, acting, and technical roles, and the show's international distribution generates revenue that flows back into the Irish production ecosystem. The new drama from the Love/Hate creator is expected to create similar employment opportunities and to attract international co-production interest.
What's Next
RTÉ's new season begins in September, with The Traitors Ireland launching first, followed by the new drama in October and KIN in November. The Tommy Tiernan special is scheduled for the Christmas period. RTÉ has indicated it will announce further details of its new season programming — including the expanded free-to-air sport coverage and the new documentary series — at a press event in early September. The broadcaster's annual report, which will include audience figures for the 2025-26 season, is expected to be published in October.
