Kin star Emmett J Scanlan has teased an “explosive” opener to the second season of the hit RTE crime drama.
The acclaimed show returns for a second series tonight and Emmett, who plays Jimmy Kinsella, said viewers will not be disappointed. The former Hollyoaks actor promised plot twists aplenty for the crime clan who are back as top dogs now Eamon Cunningham is dead.
He told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “If you liked season one, I can only assume that you’ll love season two. The scripts, without giving anything away, are incredible. The story is fast, it’s violent, it’s unpredictable and the stakes are even higher this time.
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“Killing Ciaran Hinds’ character Eamon Cunningham means they’ve inherited his debt to the Batuks, a crime family that’s much larger and much more dangerous than them. But the Kinsellas are nothing if not
formidable when backed into a corner and they’ve got a venomous bite too.”
As the Turkish cartel arrive in Dublin to demand the €17million Eamon owed them in drug money, the Kinsellas have to watch their backs.
New head of the crime family Amanda (Clare Dunne) challenges the Turks – and there’s a cliffhanger at the end of every episode. Emmett said: “The only thing I can say is if you thought the Kinsellas’ troubles would dissipate in some capacity with Eamon’s death, you’re naive.
“They obviously need to watch their backs. They’re going to be tested from the outside and those forces are f*****g formidable.
“But it’s the insidious forces within the family that could end up being their biggest threat.” Most of the scenes are shot around the capital with the Kinsellas back in their infamous gangster pad in Dublin 4. The luxury property in the shadow of the Aviva Stadium is valued at €2.25m and boasts a private cinema, expansive courtyard and rooftop garden.
Emmett revealed: “We’re back at The Furry Bog [pub] in Whitechurch, it’s where we filmed quite a bit of it. We are obviously back at the house just beside the Aviva Stadium. I stayed in Hanover Quay [during filming]. It was so handy.
“There’s a perimeter cordoning us off from the general public... but we’re too busy doing the story, doing the scenes and the takes.
“People would come over and tell you how much they loved the show asking if there’s a season two. When we told them we were shooting it right now they’re always very excited.”
Emmett credits writer Peter McKenna’s “remarkable job” with the script for the show’s success.
He added: “He’s a wonderful magician with the written word.
“And he will take you hopefully over the next eight weeks on a journey where you will say ‘I think I prefer this season to last season’.”
As Jimmy rows in with wife Amanda, his uncle Frank (Aidan Gillen) and aunt Birdy (Maria Doyle Kennedy) follow suit and fall in line behind her. But questions are soon raised about whether or not she can remain as head of the crime family and lead the business through turbulent times.
Emmett, 44, who has played his fair share of baddies over the years, admitted he loves playing a complex character like Jimmy. He said: “He’s such a vulnerable character. The thing I love about Jimmy is that he doesn’t shy away from that either.
“And for the love of God, it’s not to be mistaken for weakness. He has moments of weakness, which we all have.
“But there’s ferocious courage and truth to being vulnerable and in his vulnerability. I think he’s loyal. In my opinion, maybe the most loyal. Even though that’s going to be brought into question this season.
“I’ve got to be honest with you, I just love the tormented demon that is Jimmy. He isn’t easy to play, but nothing worth having should be.”
Not all the family are free to enjoy the spoils of their victory over the Cunninghams however. Michael (Charlie Cox) has been in hiding since carrying out the hit that led to Eamon’s defeat, while Eric “Viking” Kinsella remains behind bars.
With its huge ratings – and clocking up an astonishing 2.47million streams on the RTE Player – Kin is still being compared with RTE crime drama Love/Hate.
Emmett insisted he doesn’t mind, adding: “There ain’t nothing wrong with being compared to other quality shows. It’s a compliment. I was a fan of Love/Hate.
“Although Kin is of the same genre to a certain degree it’s a different beast with a different roar.”
When it first hit our screens there was the inevitable flurry of complaints that Kin was glamorising violence, an accusation that was also levelled at Love/Hate.
Emmett said: “It’s a television show, it’s fiction, it’s storytelling. Sunday night escapism. It’s not real – if you don’t like it, turn the channel, it’s cool. The people who made those comments about it glamorising violence had already made up their minds about a show they hadn’t watched.
“They took digs at people they didn’t know or care to find out about. People who, during lockdown, worked under extreme conditions to make a show that would hopefully entertain the masses.
“As a result the show won six IFTAs and went for a season two. That’s only thanks to the public.
“The people of Ireland have been so kind and so generous in the praise and love that, it’s been mind-blowing.”
- Kin returns on RTE One tonight at 9.30pm.
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