A fierce mother, her three daughters and an inexplicable death are the elements of “gripping” Irish thriller Smother, which is now streaming in the UK. Running for three seasons between 2021 and 2023, the series centres on devoted mum Val Ahern, who investigates after her husband is found dead.
Now available to stream on U in the UK, the series written by Kate O’Riordan takes place in Ireland’s County Clare and stars Dervla Kirwan as Val. Her three daughters Jenny, Anna, and Grace are played by Niamh Walsh, Gemma-Leah Devereux and Seána Kerslake, respectively.
When Val’s husband Denis (Stuart Graham) is found dead at the bottom of a cliff the morning after a family party, she starts an investigation to piece together the events of the previous night.
The series, comprised of six episodes per season, has been described as a “family drama meets thriller” with secrets to spare.
“Family drama meets thriller in this gripping series about secrets and their unintended consequences, as a woman investigates her husband’s life in the aftermath of his tragic death,” the U synopsis reads.
Treasure Entertainment/BBC Studios/RTÉ
Treasure Entertainment/BBC Studios/RTÉ
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The stacked cast is rounded out by Justine Mitchell as Elaine Lynch, Dean Fagan as Finn Ahern, Éanna Hardwicke as Joe Ryan, Fionnula Flanagan as Caro Noonan, Rebecca O’Mara as Sheahan, and Jason O’Mara as Paul Madigan.
Also streaming now is acclaimed Welsh crime drama Under Salt Marsh, starring Yellowstone’s Kelly Reilly and Rafe Spall.
Reilly plays former detective-turned-teacher Jackie Ellis as she makes “a shocking discovery that reopens the wounds of a three-year-old cold case which cost her both her career and her family’s trust”, as per the official synopsis.
Sky
Sky
The six-episode thriller created by Claire Oakley kicked off on 30 January with two episodes, with more following weekly in the lead to the 27 February season finale.
Now halfway through its run, the series has become the strongest Sky original drama, overtaking Eddie Redmayne’s The Day of the Jackal with 1.8 million viewers within the first week of release.
Smother seasons 1-3 are streaming on U.
Under Salt Marsh airs on Sky Atlantic and is available to stream on NOW.
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Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.Â
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).Â