Honestly, if you told me a year ago that the girl from Clueless would be solving murders in the rainy hills of Wicklow, I’d have probably raised an eyebrow. But here we are. Irish Blood has officially landed on Acorn TV, and it is doing something most "cozy mysteries" fail to do: it’s actually staying grounded while being completely unpredictable.
The show follows Fiona Sharpe—played by Alicia Silverstone—who is a high-powered Los Angeles divorce lawyer. She’s the kind of person who eats litigation for breakfast and has zero time for sentimentality. That is, until a cryptic message from her estranged father, Declan, pulls her across the Atlantic to Ireland.
What Really Happens in Irish Blood?
The setup is classic, but the execution is where it gets interesting. Fiona grew up believing her father simply walked out on her tenth birthday. She built a whole career out of that anger. When she arrives in Ireland, she doesn’t find a tearful reunion. Instead, she finds out her father is dead and that her entire life story—the abandonment, the "shady" dad—was basically a massive, protective lie.
It turns out Declan wasn’t just a flake; he was entangled in some seriously dangerous business dealings. He stayed away to keep Fiona and her mother safe. Now, Fiona has to navigate a family she never knew existed while peeling back layers of a murder mystery that the local Gardaí aren’t exactly rushing to solve.
The tone is a weird, wonderful mix. You’ve got these sharp, witty exchanges between Fiona and her newfound grandmother, Isidora Murphy (played by the legendary Dearbhla Molloy), and then suddenly you're hit with a tense, dark sequence involving the local underworld. It doesn’t feel like your typical "teatime" mystery. It’s grittier.
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The Cast That Makes It Work
Alicia Silverstone isn't just a guest star here; she’s an executive producer, and you can tell she’s leaning into the "fish out of water" trope with a lot of heart. She’s vulnerable but sharp.
- Jason O'Mara plays Declan Murphy. Even though he’s the "dead dad," his presence looms large, often appearing in these stylized dream sequences or manifestations that Fiona talks to.
- Ruth Codd is a total standout as Garda Róisín Doherty. If you saw her in The Fall of the House of Usher, you know she has this incredible, biting energy. Here, she’s the perfect foil to Fiona’s American intensity.
- Wendy Crewson and Simone Kirby round out a cast that feels lived-in.
One thing people keep mentioning is how Ireland itself is treated like a main character. They filmed all over County Wicklow, Dublin, and the Causeway Coast. If you’ve ever been to Wicklow Town or Enniskerry, you’ll recognize the harbor and those winding mountain roads immediately. The cinematography is gorgeous, but it doesn't look like a tourism ad—it looks like a place where secrets actually get buried.
Why People Are Binging Season 1
It's a short watch. Six episodes. That’s it. In a world of 22-episode seasons filled with "monster of the week" filler, Irish Blood on Acorn TV feels like a tight, punchy novel.
The mystery isn't just "who killed Declan?" It’s also about Fiona figuring out who she is when you strip away the "abandoned daughter" identity she’s worn like armor for thirty years. There’s a lot of humor, mostly from the cultural clashes. Fiona’s L.A. lawyer brain trying to process the slower, more indirect way of Irish small-town life leads to some genuinely funny moments.
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But it’s not all jokes. There are some genuinely "jumpy" moments. In one episode, Fiona ends up defending herself with a toothbrush. It gets real, fast.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Show
Some critics tried to box this into the "detective procedural" category. It’s really not that. It’s a family drama wrapped in a crime thriller. If you go in expecting Midsomer Murders, you might be confused by the dream sequences and the heavy focus on Fiona’s psyche.
Also, locals have pointed out some "TV geography" issues—like characters walking from one side of the country to the other in a single afternoon—but honestly? Most of us are just here for the atmosphere and the chemistry between Silverstone and Codd.
Is There a Season 2?
The short answer is yes. Acorn TV saw the numbers (it apparently became one of their most-watched originals ever shortly after its August 2025 premiere) and greenlit a second season almost immediately.
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The first season ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. While the immediate mystery of Declan’s "business" gets some closure, there are much bigger threads left hanging regarding the people he was actually hiding from.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Watch
If you’re planning to dive in, don’t just play it in the background while you’re folding laundry.
- Watch the backgrounds. The show uses a lot of visual storytelling; Declan’s office is packed with clues that don’t get "explained" until three episodes later.
- Pay attention to the Gardaí. The relationship between Fiona and Róisín starts as a joke but becomes the emotional anchor of the series.
- Check out the scenery. If you're a fan of Irish travel, the shots of the Black Castle and the Wicklow Uplands are stunning.
Whether you're an Acorn TV regular or just someone who misses seeing Alicia Silverstone on screen, this show is worth the weekend. It's smart, it's messy, and it feels surprisingly human.
To start your journey into the Murphy family secrets, head over to the Acorn TV app or your AMC+ subscription and look for the "Just Added" section. You'll want to clear your schedule for about six hours—once you start the second episode, you aren't going to want to stop until you see how Fiona handles that final revelation in episode six.