BBC and RTÉ commission two series of dark comedy Tall Tales & Murder

BBC Northern Ireland and Ireland's RTÉ have jointly commissioned two six-part series of Tall Tales & Murder, a darkly comic crime drama from co-creators Stuart Carolan, best known for Love/Hate, and Chris Addison, the Veep and Thick of It director. The pairing brings together two distinctive sensibilities, Carolan's gift for textured Irish crime storytelling and Addison's instinct for sharp character comedy.

Adapted from Caimh McDonnell's Dublin-set novels, the series is produced by Avalon in association with Metropolitan Pictures and with support from Screen Ireland. Filming on the first run wrapped earlier this year, with a premiere targeted for late 2026. The source material, a series of comic crime novels with a devoted following, offers a deep well of plot and character to draw on across multiple seasons.

The project sits at the increasingly busy intersection of crime and comedy, a tonal blend that has yielded some of television's most successful dramas of recent years. Done well, it offers the propulsive plotting of the thriller alongside the warmth and quotability of comedy, a combination that travels and that breeds the kind of audience loyalty broadcasters prize.

A statement of confidence

The decision to greenlight two seasons up front is a notable commitment in a cautious commissioning climate, signalling the broadcasters' confidence in both the source material and the creative team. The cast is led by Ella Lily Hyland of Black Doves, alongside Game of Thrones and Love/Hate veteran Aidan Gillen, Philippa Dunne and Peaky Blinders' Packy Lee, an ensemble that pairs an emerging lead with seasoned, recognisable talent.

Two-season orders remain relatively rare, particularly for original drama brands without an established track record on screen. By committing to a second run before the first has aired, the BBC and RTÉ are not only backing the property but giving the creative team the runway to plan a longer arc, develop characters and build a returning audience without the uncertainty that hangs over series awaiting renewal.

“The two-season order from BBC and RTÉ marks an unusually firm vote of confidence in a new homegrown drama brand.”

— Industry observers

The case for the genre

Darkly comic crime drama has become one of the most dependable categories in scripted television, blending the hooks of the procedural with the character pleasures of comedy. The form suits the talent assembled here, with Carolan bringing crime credentials honed on Love/Hate and Addison the comic timing developed across some of the sharpest satire on British television.

The ingredients lining up behind Tall Tales & Murder are notable:

• A best-selling series of source novels providing ready-made plots and a built-in readership.
• A creative pairing combining crime-drama and comedy expertise.
• A cast mixing a rising lead with experienced, internationally recognised actors.
• Backing from two public broadcasters plus Screen Ireland, sharing cost and risk.
• A rare two-season order offering stability and room to build a brand.

The Dublin setting also lends the series a strong sense of place, an asset in a market where distinctive locations and authentic voices increasingly help dramas stand out amid a crowded field of internationally produced content.

Background: cross-border co-commissioning

The project reflects the deepening pattern of cross-border co-commissioning between UK and Irish public broadcasters, a model that helps share rising production costs while keeping high-end scripted drama on home screens. As budgets for premium drama climb, partnerships of this kind have become an essential mechanism for public-service broadcasters to compete with deeper-pocketed streamers, pooling resources to fund ambitious projects neither might comfortably afford alone.

What happens next

With the first run already shot and a premiere targeted for late 2026, the second series gives the production a clear path forward and the creative team the security to develop the story across a longer span. If the show connects with audiences, the early double order positions it to become a durable returning title for both the BBC and RTÉ, and a further demonstration of what cross-border collaboration can deliver for homegrown drama.