The Dry is a comedy drama on ITVX and BritBox which is set in modern day Ireland and explores the chaos and intrigues behind family life when you're trying to stay sober. The cast in this eight-part drama includes Roisin Gallagher, Ciarán Hinds, Moe Dunford and Pom Boyd, plus an exciting young newcomer Adam Richardson.
So here's everything we can tell you about eight-part drama The Dry on ITVX and BritBox...
The Dry release date
The Dry launches on ITVX on Thursday March 23 2023, with all eight episodes launching from this date as a box set. The series has already been showing on BritBox from Thursday May 5 2022.
The Dry plot
Shiv Sheridan (Roisin Gallagher) returns to Dublin after years of partying hard in London. She is finally sober and full of good intentions, life for Shiv isn't quite that easy, especially by back with her family. Living among them again makes staying on ‘the dry’ much harder than she expected. As Shiv tries to navigate this new phase of her life, her family must get used to Shiv again too... and they all have issues they don’t want to face!
Writer Nancy Harris says: "I came up with the idea for The Dry over a couple of years, as like a lot of people, addiction has touched my life in different ways. However, every time I'd ever seen addiction represented on screen, it had always been in the most extreme way, such as somebody in rehab. I was interested in exploring the ordinary reality of being sober. And of finding the humour in suddenly having to navigate the emotional minefields and absurdities of family life- all while trying not to drink."
The Dry cast — who's starring
Leading the cast in The Dry are Roisin Gallagher (The Fall) as Shiv Sheridan and recent Oscar nominee Ciarán Hinds (Game of Thrones, The Terror) as Shiv's dad Tom. Also watch out for Pom Boyd (Vanity Fair, Frank of Ireland) as Shiv's mum Bernie, while Moe Dunford (The Dig) plays Shiv's former boyfriend Jack. Siobhán Cullen (The Limehouse Golem) and newcomer Adam Richardson also star.
Roisin Gallagher tells us all about playing Shiv Sheridan...
Where is Shiv when we meet her?
Roisin Gallagher says: "She has been in London for 10 years and she's got to a point in her life where changes need to be made and she feels compelled to come home. I don't think she's coming back with her tail between her legs but there's a certain element of, ‘I'm not where I thought I would be’. She's not married, and she doesn't have the career that she wants and I hope a lot of people will relate to that idea of what society tells us that we should be. So she has come home on a mission to find truth, healing, a place of belonging and she goes back to her roots to try to figure things out."
What impact has her alcoholism had on her and her family?
Roisin says: "She's really taken a hard look at herself over the last six months and she's drawn a conclusion that she is an alcoholic and she certainly doesn't hide it. But saying that out loud to her family, they don't particularly receive it well, for lots of different reasons. Shiv has a mum and dad played by the fantastic Ciaran Hinds and Pom Boyd and a sister and brother as well, and also an older brother as well who is not with us anymore. But there's sibling rivalry and her relationship with most of her family members is complicated."
Was there any research you could do into alcoholism?
Roisin says: "I listened to quite a lot of podcasts about addiction and read Russell Brand’s book and I talked to some people who I knew were in the 12 step program and what it meant for them and the kind of environment that puts a person in and how they deal with their family and friends. That was really helpful."
What is her relationship like with her old flame Jack?
Roisin says: "Jack is a big red button for Shiv, a danger zone. He is just her Achilles heel and another type of addiction. With her family, there's this idea of conflict and they don't understand her but Jack does, he gets it. They're like Bonnie and Clyde. ‘Shiv feels compelled to come home to figure things out."
Is there a trailer for The Dry?
Yes a trailer for The Dry has been released by BritBox. Take a look below to see what you can expect...
More about The Dry on BritBox
The Dry is produced by Element Pictures who recently brought the record-breaking adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Normal People to life on the BBC. Fís Eireann/Screen Ireland and ITV Studios are on board too, in partnership with RTÉ. It's written by Nancy Harris (Our New Girl, Dates) and directed by Paddy Breathnach (Viva, Rosie).
