Kin does not depict the Kinahan Cartel – the Irish mafia and one of the world's largest enduring crime groups – but it draws inspiration from the activities, and the mythology, of the felonious syndicate.
The smash crime show, whose second season is landing on the BBC on February 13, tells the story of Dublin's Kinsella family, who are tangled up in a bloody gangland war.
The first series, which premiered on Ireland's RTÉ channel in autumn 2021, before airing on the BBC, was described as an excellent slow-burner: "One of its most striking qualities is its self-assuredness. Kin is a long way from thrill-a-minute... But [it] has the confidence to tell the story it wants to tell," said one reviewer.
It starred Ciarán Hinds (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) as kingpin boss Eamon Cunningham, who acted alongside Charlie Cox (Stardust), Clare Dunne (The Last Duel) and Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones).
Now the show, which is created by Fifth Season (the production company behind Killing Eve, Severance and Tokyo Vice) returns for more nail-biting drama – this time the Kinsella family is fighting against an International crime group. And it promises to be another winner, too: "The best Irish drama in years gets even better," said one reviewer.
With the gripping eight-partner airing in the UK in exactly a week, here's a quick breakdown of the leading characters to bring you up to speed with the show.
Charlie Cox as Michael Kinsella
Charlie Cox, the British actor best-known for playing Adam Lawrence in Treason (2022), Matt Murdock in Daredevil (2015-2018), Boardwalk Empire (2011-2012) and Tristan Thorn in Stardust (2007), plays Michael Kinsella, the nephew of crime-boss Frank, and the brother of Jimmy (find both below).
Jimmy led a revenge plot in the first season and Michael ended up helping him, despite having only just being released from prison. He has a daughter called Anna, who is he estranged from after his stint in the slammer.
Emmett J. Scanlan as Jimmy Kinsella
Jimmy lead the family's revenge plot in series one, after his eldest son was murdered. He's an excellent soldier: he does exactly what is needed for the protection of his family and for the benefit of the wider business.
Emmett J Scanlan's credits include Derry Girls (2022), Gangs of London (2020), Peaky Blinders (2019-2022), The Fall (2013-2016) and Guardians of the Galaxy (2014).
Clare Dunne as Amanda Kinsella
Dublin-born Clare Dunne is known for her roles in films Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), Herself (2020) and The Last Duel (2021). In Kin she plays car dealer Amanda, who is married to Jimmy. They have two children, Jamie and Anthony – though tragedy befalls the nuclear family at the beginning of the first season.
In the second season we see Amanda come into her own, with the backing of old flame Michael, as she takes over the family business: "In Peter McKenna and Ciaran Donnelly’s excellent Kin, which opens its second season with a late-night assassination in a deserted supermarket, the smartest person in the room has always been Amanda," said one reviewer.
Aidan Gillen as Frank Kinsella
Aidan Gillen is now most often associated with his role as Petyr Baelish in Game in Thrones, but the 55-year-old Irish actor has starred in a large number of high-profile projects including The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Peaky Blinders (2017–2019), and Bohemian Rhapsody (2018).
In Kin he plays Frank, the head of the Kinsella family, and Jimmy and Michael's uncle. When we join Frank in the first season, he has just taken over from his brother as the family's new boss. But it's not been a happy transition and Frank is struggling to maintain control both inside and outside of the family.
Francis Magee as Brendan 'Bren' Kinsella
Legendary Irish actor Francis Magee plays Brendan Kinsella, a vicious family member who was in prison throughout the first season.
At the beginning of the second season he is let out, and starts to challenge Amanda's leadership. A thug who takes pleasure in hurting others, Bren, as explained by Magee, "Ain’t nice. There’s no kind way to say it. He’s all messed up and he’s happy to mess others up."
64-year-old Magee has featured in a number of popular films and TV shows over the years, including The Witcher (2019), Justice League (2017), Black Mirror (2016), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), Game of Thrones (2011-2012) and Brighton Rock (2010).
Sam Keeley as Eric 'Viking' Kinsella
Frank's son Eric is known for his hot temper and his recklessness, but over the course of the first series we see him starting to mature – even when he finds issues with the way his father is handling the family business. He is played by 33-year-old Irish actor Sam Keeley, who is known for his roles in Monsters: Dark Continent (2014), Raw (2012-2013) and The Borgias (2012).
Maria Doyle Kennedy as Bridget 'Birdy' Goggins
Irish singer and actor Maria Doyle Kennedy plays Frank's sister Birdy. She brought up Jimmy and Mickey after their mum died. She's calm and calculated, which makes her an excellent mediator, and she is often brought in to soothe over the family's many feuds.
Kennedy has played a number of roles including Patsy in Father Ted (1998), Catherine of Aragon in The Tudors (2007–2010), Vera Bates in Downton Abbey (2011) and Jocasta Cameron in Outlander (2018–present). She's also a well-known singer, having released nine solo studio albums since 2001.
