Set around a Dublin family embroiled in a bloody gangland war, the BBC’s Irish drama Kin has swept the nation, leaving viewers hooked since first airing in November last year.
When Michael Kinsella, scion of a Dublin crime clan, gets out of prison, he wants to turn his back on the family business – however, he’s quickly pulled back in.
The drama, which has just aired for a second series, follows the fictional Kinsella family, as they battle an international drug cartel and other Irish crime groups to remain at the top of the heap in Dublin’s drug trade.
Written by Peter McKenna and Ciaran Donnelly, the series boasts a star-studded cast including an Irish movie legend and an actor from two of the most popular dramas ever.
Here, lists the popular shows cast as well as where you may have seen them before – do you recognise any of the actors in some of their previous roles?
Set around a Dublin family embroiled in a bloody gangland war, the BBC’s Irish drama Kin has swept the nation, leaving British viewers hooked since first airing in November last year
Charlie Cox – Michael Kinsella
English actor Charlie Cox plays Michael Kinsella, who started the show having just been released from prison and was struggling with life outside.
In series one his brother Jimmy Kinsella led a revenge plot and Michael ended up helping him, being pulled back into a life of crime.
Viewers will recognise Cox for playing Matt Murdock, aka Daredevil, in the TV series Daredevil between 2015-2018 – he also appears in a few other projects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Some fans may be familiar with the actor as Owen Sleater in the Boardwalk Empire series (2011–2012) after he joined the cast in the third season.
Additionally, the 41-year-old has been in a host of other movies and TV shows including The Theory of Everything (2014), Treason (2022), and Stardust (2007).
Some fans may recognise the actor as Owen Sleater in the Boardwalk Empire series (2011–2012), after he joined the cast in the third season
Aiden Gillen – Frank Kinsella
Aiden Gillen has been praised for his performance as gangland patriarch Frank Kinsella – head of the family and uncle to Michael and Jimmy Kinsella.
The award-winning Irish actor has a dazzling array of accolades and notable roles that are recognised worldwide – including roles in two of the most popular dramas ever.
Arguably the most widely known character the 55-year-old played would be Petyr Baelish, aka Little Finger, in Game of Thrones (2011-2017).
He was also in Peaky Blinders where he portrayed Aberama Gold – a Romany Gypsy hitman hired by Tommy Shelby.
Gillen is also known for playing Baltimore politician Tommy Carcetti in the HBO police drama The Whire.
Before all of this though, Gillen stood out as Stuart Jones in Queer as Folk (1999) – a British television series that chronicles the lives of three gay men living in Manchester’s gay village around Canal Street.
Gillen played Stuart Jones (RIGHT) in Queer as Folk (1999)- a British television series that chronicles the lives of three gay men living in Manchester’s gay village around Canal Street
Clare Dunne – Amanda Kinsella
Irish actress Clare Dunne plays Amanda Kinsella, Michael’s sister-in-law who’s married to Jimmy Kinsella.
Her character becomes more powerful as the series goes on, soon becoming the de-facto head of the family.
Viewers may know Dunne as Victoria in Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) – she plays a minor villain, who is an ally of the main villain Quentin Beck, aka Mysterio.
She has also appeared in Herself (2020), Witness Number 3 (2022), and a variety of stage roles with the Abbey Theatre and the National Theatre.
Notable productions include Juno and the Paycock, Living with Missy and Sure Look It F**k It.
Viewers may know Dunne as Victoria in Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) – she plays a minor villain, who is an ally of the main villain Quentin Beck, aka Mysterio
Maria Doyle Kennedy – Bridget ‘Birdy’ Goggins
Maria Doyle Kennedy is an Irish singer and actress who plays Bridget ‘Birdy’ Goggins in Kin – Frank Kinsella’s sister.
When Michael tries to opt out of the family business, she is the one who gets him back on board.
With a performance career spanning longer than 30 years, the 59-year-old has established herself as one of Ireland’s most prolific entertainers.
Kennedy also featured as Catherine of Aragon in The Tudors (2007–2010), Vera Bates in Downton Abbey (2011), and Patsy in Father Ted (1998).
She also plays =Siobhán Sadler in Orphan Black (2013–2017) and Jocasta Cameron in Outlander (2018–present), as well as a host of other impressive roles.
However, her first acting experience was playing Natalie Murphy in the 1991 hit musical-comedy drama The Commitments.
The film is about a soul band from the poorest area of North Dublin.
Maria Doyle Kennedy is an Irish singer and actress who plays Bridget ‘Birdy’ Goggins in Kin (LEFT) – her first acting experience was playing Natalie Murphy in the 1991 musical-comedy drama The Commitments (RIGHT)
Francis Magee – Brendan Kinsella
Francis Magee, 64, is a well-known Irish actor who plays Brendan Kinsella in the BBC show.
Brendan is the father of Michael and Jimmy and causes havoc for the family when he tries to take charge after being released from prison.
Magee is known for a whole host of popular films and TV shows that he’s been a part of during his career.
He’s best known for portraying Liam Tyler in Eastenders from 1993 to 1995 but has also had notable roles in many series and films including Game of Thrones (2011-2012), The Witcher (2019), Black Mirror (2016), and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016).
A fact that some fans won’t be aware of, however, is that he played electronic musician Russell Orgazoid in an episode of Peep Show – a wealthy retired musician who hires Jeremy to be his personal assistant in the episode ‘Handyman’.
A fact about Francis Magee that some fans won’t be aware of, is that he played electronic musician Russell Orgazoid in an episode of Peep Show – a wealthy retired musician who hires Jeremy to be his personal assistant in the episode ‘Handyman’ (RIGHT)
Ciaran Hinds – Eamon Cunningham
Irish movie legend Ciaran Hinds plays Eamon Cunningham – the crime boss who goes to war with the Kinsella family.
The actor has been in a long list of films including Belfast (2021), Road to Perdition (2002) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2011).
Fans will also know the actor for playing the role of Mance Rayder in Game of Thrones – the leader of the Free Folk, holding the title of ‘King-Beyond-the-Wall’.
Fans will also recognise the actor for playing the role of Mance Rayder in Game of Thrones – the leader of the Free Folk, holding the title of ‘King-Beyond-the-Wall’
Emmett J Scanlan – Jimmy Kinsella
Finally, Jimmy Kinsella, Michael’s brother and Amanda’s husband, is played by Emmett J. Scanlan.
The 45-year-old Irish actor is best known for playing Brendan Brady in Hollyoaks between 2010 and 2013.
He has also starred in Peaky Blinders as professional footballer Billy Grade and more recently Fool Me Once as Shane Tessier.
Scanlan also portrayed Jack O Doherty in Gangs of London, which premiered in 2020.
As well as this, Eagle-eyed fans will notice that he portrayed DC Glen Martin in crime drama The Fall alongside Jamie Dornan and Gillian Anderson.
As well as this, Eagle-eyed fans will notice that Scanlan portrayed DC Glen Martin in crime drama The Fall alongside Jamie Dornan and Gillian Anderson (RIGHT)
It comes just after the creator of Kin, Peter McKenna, insists the show is not based on the gruesome Hutch and Kinahan gangland war that saw 18 people killed on the streets of Dublin – and beyond – from 2015 to 2018.
But fans have long suspected the production’s bloody scenes do have some chilling echoes of horrific real-life killings and other events from Ireland’s criminal underbelly.
The Kinahan-Hutch feud went on to claim the lives of 18 people – three of which were innocent and killed in cases of mistaken identity.
The height of the feud came in 2016 when 10 people were killed and the most notorious incident of the feud was the Hutch-organised Regency Hotel killing during a boxing weigh-in.
All episodes of Kin Season 2 are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer