Irish dark comedy ‘Obituary’ gears up for a thrilling second season
A fresh chapter for Elvira Clancy
The beloved Irish black comedy, Obituary, is set to return for a second season, much to the delight of its fans. The show, which stars Siobhán Cullen as an underpaid obituary writer who turns to murder, has captivated audiences with its unique blend of dark humor and suspense.
The creative minds behind the scenes
The upcoming season will consist of six episodes, with Ray Lawlor once again taking the reins as the writer. The original production teams, Magamedia and APC Studios, are back on board, and Hulu is providing financial support for the new season. While the casting details are still under wraps, it’s hard to imagine the show without Cullen, who has also been seen in The Dry and Netflix’s Bodkin.
A recap of season one
In the first season, which aired on Irish network RTE, we followed Elvira Clancy, played by Cullen, as she navigated her job as an obituary writer. When her work began to dwindle, she took drastic measures, leading to a series of murders that she cleverly disguised as accidents. The plot thickened when a crime correspondent at the local paper started investigating the murders and developed feelings for Clancy.
The show featured a stellar cast, including Michael Smiley (Bad Sisters), Danielle Galligan (Shadow and Bone), Ronan Rafferty (The Rook), David Ganly (Body of Lies), and Noni Stapleton. Their performances added depth and intrigue to the already gripping storyline.
The allure of Elvira Clancy
Elvira Clancy, a 24-year-old obituary writer, finds herself in a precarious situation when her newspaper faces financial difficulties, and her salary is cut. The show’s logline teases her journey: “When she ‘accidentally’ kills a nasty piece of work in the town, she discovers she might have a previously untapped bloodlust! She relishes using ever more crafty methods to kill off the town’s unpleasant residents while making them look like accidents. Stalk. Kill. Publish. Repeat. Unfortunately, a wrench lands in the works – the paper hires a suspicious new crime correspondent and she really, really likes him…”
Filming and accolades
Obituary is filmed in the picturesque Donegal, adding a unique charm to the show’s dark narrative. The first season aired on RTE in Ireland last September, followed by a release on Hulu in November. Directed by John Hayes (Dublin Murders) and Oonagh Kearney (Vardy vs Rooney), the show has drawn favorable comparisons to Dexter and has garnered several awards at the Irish Film and Television Awards, including best drama series and best actress.
Anticipation for season two
As we eagerly await the second season, the anticipation is palpable. Will Elvira continue her murderous spree? How will her relationship with the crime correspondent evolve? These questions and more will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
For those who haven’t yet experienced the darkly comedic world of Obituary, now is the perfect time to catch up. You can watch the trailer for the first season here.
Final thoughts
Obituary has carved out a niche for itself in the world of dark comedies, thanks to its clever writing, compelling characters, and unique premise. As we look forward to the new season, it’s clear that Elvira Clancy’s story is far from over. Whether you’re a fan of dark humor, suspense, or simply great storytelling, Obituary is a show that should not be missed.
Stay tuned for more updates on the second season, and in the meantime, revisit the first season to relive the thrilling journey of Elvira Clancy.