KIN Back on RTÉ Screens in 2027 After Three-Year Hiatus

RTÉ announced on 20 July 2026 that KIN will return to Irish television in 2027. The show had gone off air after its Canadian co-producer collapsed, leaving fans without closure on several story threads. Production is now back on track with fresh scripts that pick up after the events of series two. The move brings a familiar Dublin story back to the national broadcaster at a time when homegrown drama remains popular.

Where the story left off and what comes next

The first two seasons followed the Kinsella family as they navigated rival gangs, police pressure and internal betrayals in north Dublin. Key plot points included a botched drug shipment and a major character death that split the family. New episodes are expected to focus on the next generation stepping into the business while older members try to stay out. Writers have kept the action rooted in recognisable spots like Drumcondra and Fairview rather than generic cityscapes.

Filming is slated to begin in late 2026 around the same locations used previously. The production team has already secured permissions for street scenes that capture everyday northside life, from local pubs to housing estates. This attention to place helped the original run feel grounded compared with imported crime shows.

Cast returning and new faces

Most of the core cast from the first two seasons are confirmed to return. Aidan Gillen reprises his role as the family patriarch, while Maria Doyle Kennedy plays the matriarch trying to hold things together. Younger leads including Emmett J. Scanlan and Hannah Adewunmi are also back. A handful of new characters have been added to reflect shifting alliances in the story.

Behind the camera, the original writing team is largely intact. Director David Caffrey is expected to helm several episodes again. Budget details have not been released, but RTÉ has described the revival as a priority project for its drama slate. The gap since 2023 means some supporting actors may have aged into different roles, which could add natural progression to the family dynamics.

Why the return matters for Irish viewers

Irish-made crime dramas that avoid clichés are still rare on home screens. KIN stood out for showing the human cost on ordinary families rather than glorifying the violence. Its return gives the national broadcaster a proven title that already drew strong audiences in its first run. Local stories like this also help keep production work and talent in Ireland instead of everything heading overseas.

• Filming locations centre on north Dublin estates and streets used in the original seasons
• New scripts pick up directly after the series-two cliffhanger involving the surviving family members
• Core cast including Aidan Gillen and Maria Doyle Kennedy confirmed for 2027 episodes
• Production start targeted for late 2026 with RTÉ backing the project as a flagship drama

The show’s focus on consequences rather than glamour sets it apart from many imported series. Viewers who followed the first two seasons will recognise the same mix of loyalty, regret and hard choices that made the earlier episodes compelling. With new material arriving next year, there is finally a chance to see how the Kinsella story continues on home ground.