RTÉ Crime Drama Kin Confirmed for Third Series in 2027 After BBC Partnership Secures Revival
RTÉ's acclaimed crime drama Kin has been officially confirmed for a third series, scheduled to air on RTÉ in Spring 2027, following a new production partnership between RTÉ and the BBC that has resolved the legal and financial complications arising from the bankruptcy of the show's original financier, Bron Studios, in 2023. Filming is set to begin in Dublin this summer, with the full ensemble cast — including Charlie Cox, Clare Dunne, Emmett J. Scanlan, and Maria Doyle Kennedy — confirmed to return for the six-episode series.
Background
Kin, which premiered on RTÉ One in 2021, quickly established itself as one of the most compelling Irish crime dramas in years. Set in Dublin and following the fictional Kinsella family's involvement in the city's criminal underworld, the show drew comparisons with international prestige dramas while maintaining a distinctly Irish sensibility in its portrayal of family loyalty, violence, and moral compromise. The second series, which aired in 2023, deepened the characters and raised the dramatic stakes, leaving audiences eager for a continuation.
The show's future was thrown into doubt by the bankruptcy of Bron Studios, the Canadian production company that had been the primary financier of the first two series. The bankruptcy proceedings tied up the rights to the show in complex legal arrangements that took several years to resolve. Co-creator Ciarán Donnelly had previously noted that the situation was "complex and required legal resolution before production could resume," and the uncertainty had led to speculation that the show might not return.
The resolution came through a new partnership between RTÉ and the BBC, which had broadcast the show in the UK and had maintained a strong interest in its continuation. The BBC's involvement as a co-producer provides the financial backing necessary to produce the six-episode third series, while Irish company Metropolitan Pictures will produce the season alongside House of Juno, a production company co-founded by star Charlie Cox.
Key Developments
The confirmation of the third series was announced on Tuesday, July 21, with RTÉ and the BBC issuing a joint statement confirming the production details. Filming is scheduled to begin in Dublin in the summer of 2026, with the series expected to be in post-production by the end of the year ahead of its Spring 2027 broadcast.
All main cast members were approached regarding their availability for the filming schedule and confirmed their intent to return. Charlie Cox, who plays the central character Jamie Kinsella, has spoken publicly about his enthusiasm for the project, describing Kin as "one of the most creatively satisfying things I've ever worked on." Clare Dunne, Emmett J. Scanlan, and Maria Doyle Kennedy — all of whom have developed significant international profiles since the show's initial success — are also confirmed to return.
The show's creators had originally envisioned a narrative arc spanning at least five seasons, and the confirmation of a third series suggests that the ambition to tell that full story remains intact. The third series will need to resolve several significant narrative threads left open at the end of the second series, while also establishing new directions for the characters and the story.
Why It Matters
The return of Kin is significant for Irish television production for several reasons. The show demonstrated that Irish drama can compete with the best international prestige television, attracting critical acclaim and significant audiences both domestically and internationally — it has been particularly successful on Netflix and BBC iPlayer, where it has found audiences far beyond its original broadcast territory. Its return, backed by a partnership between RTÉ and the BBC, demonstrates that the model of co-production between Irish and British broadcasters can sustain ambitious, high-quality drama.
The show's success has also had a broader impact on the Irish screen industry. The production of Kin created significant employment for Irish actors, crew, and production companies, and its international success has raised the profile of Dublin as a production location. The third series will continue to generate that economic activity, with the production expected to employ hundreds of people across its filming schedule.
Local Impact
The production of Kin's third series will be felt across Dublin's screen industry ecosystem. The show is filmed primarily on location in Dublin, using a combination of studio facilities and real locations across the city. The production will employ local crew, actors, and support services, contributing to the growing cluster of screen industry activity in the capital. Screen Ireland, the state agency that supports the Irish film and television industry, has been a consistent supporter of Kin and is expected to provide production funding for the third series. The show's success has also contributed to the broader case for investment in Irish screen industry infrastructure, including the expansion of studio facilities in Dublin and other locations.
What's Next
Filming is expected to begin in Dublin in August 2026, with the production running through to the end of the year. RTÉ will broadcast the third series in Spring 2027, with the BBC airing it in the UK simultaneously or shortly afterwards. The show is expected to be available on Netflix internationally, as with the previous two series. RTÉ has indicated that it will announce further details about the third series — including the storyline and any new cast members — closer to the broadcast date.
