‘Beautifully brutal’ BBC murder mystery perfect for an Easter weekend binge is now on Netflix

Television Programme: Dublin Murders. Cassie (SARAH GREENE), Rob (KILLIAN SCOTT) - (C) Euston Films - Photographer: Steffan Hill
Sarah Greene and Killian Scott play detectives in the murder mystery show (Picture: BBC/Euston Films/Starz/Steffan Hill)

A shocking BBC crime drama from 2019 has been quietly added to Netflix, just in time for the Easter break.

The Irish thriller was quietly added to the streaming service earlier this month, on March 13.

It stars Sarah Greene (Bad SistersThe Death of Bunny Munro) and Killian Scott (Kaos, Trespass Against Us).  

The Dublin Murders sees detectives Rob Reilly (Greene) and Cassie Maddox (Scott) working for an elite murder squad. 

The BBC synopsis reads: ‘When a young, talented ballerina is found dead on an ancient stone altar, her death drags up another tragedy that befell this community years before – when three children disappeared into the local woods, and only one returned.’ 

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Set in the outskirts of Dublin, this twisty series is based on the novels of Tana French, a crime novelist and New York Times bestselling author. 

Programme Name: Dublin Murders - TX: n/a - Episode: n/a (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: *First look image* (l-r) Rob (KILLIAN SCOTT), Cassie (SARAH GREENE) - (C) Euston Films - Photographer: Steffan Hill
The BBC series was released in 2019 but has been recently added to Netflix (Picture: BBC/Euston Films/Steffan Hill)

Since the series landed on Netflix, viewers have been delving into its dark world, contributing to an audience score of 78% on Rotten Tomatoes.

This included user Anthony Y, who heralded The Dublin Murders as ‘a beautifully brutal’ miniseries with ‘perfect’ performances.

Stephen C called it a ‘dark and well-made’ show, while Arya S described the script, acting and story as ‘first rate.’

Critics were largely positive too, with The Observer praising it as ‘atmospheric, often terrific, never dull viewing.’

ScreenRant called it a ‘satisfyingly dark and twisty crime thriller,’ while Den of Geek said that it was an ‘excellent, unique crime story.’

These reviews contributed to a 79% ‘fresh’ score on the review aggregator.

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 08/10/2019 - Programme Name: Dublin Murders - TX: n/a - Episode: n/a (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: *Early Release Rob (KILLIAN SCOTT), Cassie (SARAH GREENE) - (C) Euston Films/Starz - Photographer: Steffan Hill
The show focuses heavily on the cops’ relationship (Picture: BBC/Euston Films/Starz/Steffan Hill)
Comment nowHave you delved into The Dublin Murders’ dark mystery?Comment Now

The series is based on two of French’s books, encompassing In The Woods and its follow-up, The Likeness. 

Despite the show’s title, much of it was shot in Belfast and the surrounding areas of Northern Ireland, as well as in Dublin.

The woods where the murders take place were shot in Tollymore Forest in Northern Ireland – a location which has also been used for Game of Thrones and the movie Dracula Untold.

For scenes set in the 1980s, the nearby village of Drumaness was utilised, with 80s-era Garda vans, green post boxed and ice cream vans popping up in the area when filming took place.

What makes Dublin Murders perfect for an Easter binge?

Our Deputy TV Editor, Tom Percival, shares why The Dublin Murders is the perfect Easter binge...

I could tell you that Dublin Murders is the perfect binge because it’s so brilliant, but let’s be honest, we’ve already made that clear in the article.

It’s got a great Rotten Tomatoes score, viewers are loving it, and plenty of critics were raving about it when it was initially released.

Still, that’s not why I’m recommending it.

Instead, I think you should watch Dublin Murders this weekend because it’s the perfect length. With just one season of eight episodes, you can squeeze this show into your long weekend with ease and still have time for all the typical Easter traditions.

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 15/10/2019 - Programme Name: Dublin Murders - TX: n/a - Episode: n/a (No. 3) - Picture Shows: Rob (KILLIAN SCOTT), Cassie (SARAH GREENE) - (C) Euston Films - Photographer: n/a
It’s based on two novels from French’s Murder Squad books (Picture: BBC/Euston Films)

Speaking at the time of the programme’s release, the show’s creator, Sarah Phelps, told the BBC she was ‘compelled’ by French’s novels. 

On the lead characters, Phelps explained: ‘This case will unpeel the thing that they have in common and share, the pact they have made with each other. I can’t say too much about it because there’s a huge spoiler, but there is something deep and dark about them that they share.  

‘It is something tragic and highly personal that has dogged them all of their adult lives. This story is about how they are going to be able to get on with the serious, difficult, dirty business of just living with it.’ 

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 08/10/2019 - Programme Name: Dublin Murders - TX: n/a - Episode: n/a (No. 1) - Picture Shows: Rob (KILLIAN SCOTT), Cassie (SARAH GREENE) - (C) Euston Films - Photographer: Steffan Hill
Creator Sarah Phelps described the two leads as ‘friends, and it’s not a sexual thing’ (Picture: BBC/Euston Films/Starz/Steffan Hill)

Reflecting on her performance in the series, lead actress Sarah Greene described filming as ‘pretty heavy.’

Speaking to Hot Press in 2019, she added: ‘It does get under your skin. I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m “method”, but it was dark in places.’

She went on to reveal how the series had employed an advisor to help her and Scott get into the headspace of hard-boiled detectives.

‘When you see a body, you have to get up close to look for details, while setting your emotions to one side. How do you tell a family that something has happened to a loved one?’

Dublin Murders is available to stream now on Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

This article was originally published on March 29, 2026.

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