Tall Tales & Murder premiered on September 27, 2026, on RTÉ One, bringing a six-part crime comedy to Irish television that blends 8th-century Viking history with modern Dublin gangland drama. Created by Stuart Carolan and directed by Chris Addison and Neasa Hardiman, the series stars Aidan Gillen, Ella Lily Hyland, and Aisling O’Sullivan as part of an ensemble cast adapting the Dublin Trilogy books by Caimh McDonnell.
Cast Members Explore Unconventional Roles in Stuart Carolan’s Crime Comedy
Aidan Gillen stars as Grinner McNair, a gangster with a treasure map tattooed on his chest who functions as an unreliable narrator from a hospital bed. Gillen describes the genre to Donal O’Donoghue as a screwball comedy thriller. Avalon produces the series alongside Metropolitan Pictures for RTÉ and BBC Northern Ireland, with BBC One expected to broadcast the show later in autumn 2026.
Ella Lily Hyland plays Bridget, a night-shift nursing-home attendant who joins forces with runaway car thief Paul, played by television newcomer Casey Walsh. Screen International and Screen Ireland previously named Hyland among their 10 Rising Stars of Ireland in 2023. Bridget and Paul’s adventure begins when patient Grinner McNair wakes up and claims to know the location of buried Celtic gold, pulling the pair into conflict with local crime figures.
Gangsters, Vikings, and Nursing Homes Drive the Plot
The narrative weaves together modern Dublin crime syndicates with historical artifacts. Paul owes money to crime boss Ma Baker, played by Philippa Dunne, and receives help securing his nursing home job from Detective Bunny Ryan, played by Brian Doherty. Packy Lee rounds out the principal criminal element as gangster Wesley Swanson, while the plot simultaneously incorporates references to monks, Vikings, and a missing holy book.
Production Background and Broadcast Details
Stuart Carolan developed the script following his work on the RTÉ crime series Love/Hate. While newcomer Casey Walsh grew up watching Carolan’s earlier gritty dramas, he notes in interviews with RTÉ that Tall Tales & Murder adopts a distinctly different comedic tone. Avalon and Metropolitan Pictures structured the release so that all six episodes became available on the RTÉ Player streaming platform on September 27, 2026, coinciding with the linear television premiere on RTÉ One at 9:40 p.m.
Where to watch and who stars in Tall Tales & Murder
Where can I watch Tall Tales & Murder?
All six episodes are available on the RTÉ Player in Ireland, following the September 27, 2026 premiere on RTÉ One. BBC One and BBC Northern Ireland will broadcast the series in the UK later in autumn 2026.
Who created the series?
Stuart Carolan created the show, adapting the narrative from the Dublin Trilogy books by Caimh McDonnell. Chris Addison and Neasa Hardiman serve as directors.
Who stars in the main roles?
The principal cast features Ella Lily Hyland as Bridget, Casey Walsh as Paul, Aidan Gillen as Grinner McNair, Philippa Dunne as Ma Baker, Brian Doherty as Detective Bunny Ryan, Packy Lee as Wesley Swanson, and Aisling O’Sullivan as the Matron.
What is the premise of the show?
A nursing-home worker and a car thief go on the run after a patient wakes up claiming to be a gangster with a chest tattoo mapping out a stash of Celtic gold, drawing attention from rival crime bosses.