Stuart Carolan, the creator of the gritty RTÉ crime drama Love/Hate, says securing screen time for fresh stories has become nearly impossible as nine out of every ten scripts he writes go nowhere. Carolan spoke ahead of the premiere of his new RTÉ Sunday night drama series, Tall Tales and Murder, which was written as if the world was ending tomorrow.
Production and Genre-Bending Style of Tall Tales and Murder
Tall Tales and Murder is a six-part dark-comedic drama series co-created by Carolan and Directors Guild of America Award winner Chris Addison, who is known for his work on Veep, Breeders, and The Thick of It. The script blends gangland crime and magical realism, featuring a Bonnie and Clyde-style adventure of bent cops, kidnapping, underworld fixers, libido-enhancing horse medication bootleggers alongside an 8th-century tall tale of monks, Vikings, buried treasure, and a priceless holy book. The show is based on the nine-book Dublin Trilogy by Caimh McDonnell.
The cast features Ella Lily Hyland, Aidan Gillen as the character ‘Anonymous’, Casey Walsh as Paul, Philippa Dunne, Brian Doherty, Aisling O’Sullivan, and Packy Lee. The narrative follows Paul, a recently released prisoner determined not to return behind bars, who takes a job at a nursing home alongside Bridget, played by Hyland. Both characters struggle with addiction and seek an escape from their circumstances before encountering Gillen’s character.
Did you know? Tall Tales and Murder has already been officially green-lit for a second season by RTÉ ahead of its broadcast premiere on RTÉ One.
Industry Risk Aversion and Funding Challenges
Discussing the current television industry, Addison noted that 2019 resembled a gold rush as streaming services fought to become dominant market players. However, subsequent pandemic delays and industry strikes slowed production down significantly, leading to fewer overall projects being commissioned. Carolan stated that risk aversion remains an industry-wide challenge rather than an issue specific to RTÉ, explaining that financial backers demand ratings and connection, which sometimes requires writers to use projects as Trojan horses.
Despite these hurdles, both creators praised public service broadcasters for their trust. Carolan remarked that he expected pushback from RTÉ or the BBC regarding certain elements of the script, but received none. Addison similarly described working with RTÉ and BBC Northern Ireland as one of his most positive experiences with broadcasters.
RTÉ New Season Slate and Returning Hits
The broadcast of Tall Tales and Murder forms part of a broader slate announced by RTÉ for the upcoming television season. Alongside the new drama, RTÉ confirmed that the gritty crime drama series KIN will return for a third season in 2027. According to the broadcaster, the upcoming episodes will feature the Kinsellas consolidating power while internal rivalries and buried betrayals threaten the family empire from within.
Returning entertainment staples include The Late Late Show hosted by Patrick Kielty, Dancing With The Stars featuring co-hosts Doireann Garrihy and Jennifer Zamparelli, Ireland’s Fittest Family, The Tommy Tiernan Show, The 2 Johnnies’ Late Night Lock-In, and First Dates. New additions to the schedule feature The Traitors Ireland hosted by Siobhan McSweeney, a feature documentary titled What An Absolute Joke with comedian Joanne McNally, and the comedy-entertainment series Kevin and PJ Obsessed featuring PJ Kirby and Kevin Twomey.
Reflecting on Love/Hate and Future Projects
Carolan remains best known at home for Love/Hate, which finished its run in 2014 after capturing widespread audiences. Although fans frequently call for its return, Carolan indicated he is unlikely to revive the gangland hit because he wants to avoid letting the show outstay its welcome, adding that the intense production left him physically exhausted by the fifth season. Nevertheless, he remains fascinated by gangland narratives in Ireland and has not ruled out exploring similar themes in future work.
Episode one of Tall Tales and Murder is scheduled to air on RTÉ One at 9.30pm on Sunday, 27 September.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Tall Tales and Murder premiere?
The first episode airs on RTÉ One at 9.30pm on Sunday, 27 September.
Who created Tall Tales and Murder?
The series was written by Stuart Carolan and co-created with Chris Addison, based on the Dublin Trilogy books by Caimh McDonnell.
Which actors star in the series?
The cast includes Ella Lily Hyland, Aidan Gillen, Casey Walsh, Philippa Dunne, Brian Doherty, Aisling O’Sullivan, and Packy Lee.
Is Tall Tales and Murder returning for a second season?
Yes, the series has already been green-lit for a second season.
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