RTÉ confirms second season of BAFTA-nominated Irish comedy about dysfunctional family

A BAFTA-nominated Irish comedy series has been commissioned for another season. 

RTÉ and ITV have today (April 6) confirmed the commission of a second season of The Dry, which picks up seven months on from the events of the first. 

In the new series, viewers will meet the Sheridan family in their new normal. To all outward appearances, it seems like the family is relatively content: Shiv’s (Roisin Gallagher) been sober, celibate, and solvent for 6 months, Ant has hung onto his job at the estate agents and his relationship with Max, and Caroline’s making up for a lost time by shagging everyone she meets on Tinder.

So far, so normal… Or is it? After all, how normal is it for 3 grown adults to still be living at home with their parents? And are the Sheridans really happy with this new status quo, or have they just rearranged their dysfunction and found another groove of denial to fit into?

Shiv is determined to get sobriety right this time, to cut the toxic influences out of her life for good. But what if the biggest threat to Shiv’s stability turns out to be closer to home? Giving up alcohol is one thing… but what about giving up your family?

Award-winning playwright and BAFTA-nominated screenwriter Nancy Harris (Dates) and acclaimed director Paddy Breathnach (Viva, Rosie) will return to helm the second season, which will stream exclusively on RTÉ and ITVX next year. 

The first season - which has received almost 600,000 streams on RTÉ Player to date - was made available to view for free on ITVX and RTÉ Television last month. 

Head of Scripted Comedy at ITV, Nana Hughes, said, "We are thrilled to be collaborating once again with the extra talented and BAFTA nominated Nancy Harris, Element Pictures, Paddy and the team to return to the Sheridan household for the second season of The Dry, coming to ITVX in 2024." 

Executive Producer at Element Pictures, Emma Norton, added, "We all fell in love with the Sheridan family in season one and it is such a treat to get to spend more time in their chaotic company. Nancy has a fantastic arc for this season and Paddy is returning, with our wonderful Irish cast and crew, to bring this next chapter to life.”

Screenwriter Nancy Harris also commented and said, "I’m so thrilled about this second season of The Dry and to be getting to bring more of the Sheridans back to the screen. It’s an absolute joy to be back working with this incredible ensemble cast, and director Paddy Breathnach and I’m excited about where the show is going to go this season.

"The characters are all deepening and developing and they all have challenges - it’s going to be quite the rollercoaster, and not just for those who are trying to stay sober…" 

The new season will be produced by Element Pictures, in association with Fís Eireann/Screen Ireland and ITV Studios.