‘ADDICTIVE’ DARK COMEDY THRILLER COMPARED TO DEXTER HAS VIEWERS COMPLETELY HOOKED WITH ITS TWISTED SENSE OF HUMOR!
‘Addictive’ dark comedy thriller compared to Dexter is the Irish series viewers can’t stop binging
Obituary: The Wickedly Funny Crime Drama About an Obituary Writer With a Deadly Side Hustle
Few television series blend dark comedy and murder quite as successfully as Obituary. The Irish thriller, which first premiered on RTÉ in 2023 before returning for a second season in 2025, has developed a devoted following thanks to its twisted premise, sharp humor, and unforgettable lead performance.
Now available to stream on ITVX, the series has drawn comparisons to Dexter for its unusual protagonist and morbid sense of humor. Yet Obituary carves out its own identity with a quirky Irish setting and a story that becomes increasingly outrageous with every episode.
At the center of the series is Elvira Clancy, brilliantly played by Siobhán Cullen.
Elvira works as an obituary writer for a small local newspaper in a sleepy Irish town. Quiet, socially awkward, and often overlooked, she leads a seemingly ordinary life. However, everything changes when her penny-pinching editor announces that she will now be paid based on the number of obituaries she writes.
Unfortunately for Elvira, people in the town simply aren’t dying quickly enough.
Faced with financial difficulties and desperate to maintain her income, she discovers something unexpected about herself—she has a talent for m-rder.
What begins as a bizarre solution to her money problems soon spirals into increasingly absurd and dangerous situations. Elvira finds herself juggling her everyday life with her new secret activities, all while trying to avoid suspicion.
Like Dexter, the series places viewers in the uncomfortable position of rooting for a character who is clearly doing terrible things. Yet Elvira’s awkward personality and darkly comic misfortunes make her strangely sympathetic.
Siobhán Cullen delivers a standout performance.
Best known for Bodkin and The Dry, Cullen brings a perfect balance of vulnerability, deadpan humor, and unsettling unpredictability to the role. Her portrayal transforms Elvira into one of television’s most unusual antiheroes.
The supporting cast further enriches the show.
Michael Smiley stars as the newspaper editor whose cost-cutting decision inadvertently sets the entire story in motion. Danielle Galligan, David Ganly, and Noni Stapleton also contribute memorable performances that add humor and heart to the increasingly chaotic plot.
One of the greatest strengths of Obituary is its tone.
The series manages to combine gruesome subject matter with genuine comedy, creating moments that are equally shocking and hilarious. Its offbeat humor and colorful characters help balance the darker elements, making the show surprisingly entertaining.
The small-town Irish setting adds another layer of charm.
Everyone knows everyone else’s business, gossip spreads quickly, and secrets become almost impossible to keep. This creates constant tension as Elvira struggles to maintain her double life while blending into the community.
Visually, the series embraces its quirky personality with vibrant cinematography and stylish direction. The pacing keeps viewers hooked, with each episode introducing new complications and unexpected twists.
Critics and audiences have praised the show’s originality and willingness to embrace its bizarre concept. While comparisons to Dexter are inevitable, Obituary offers something far more comedic and distinctly Irish.
For fans of dark humor, unconventional protagonists, and crime stories with a twist, the series delivers a wonderfully twisted experience.
Equal parts hilarious and horrifying, Obituary proves that sometimes the most unlikely people can become the most dangerous—and the most entertaining.
Strange, addictive, and wickedly funny, this Irish gem is one of the most unique crime dramas to emerge in recent years.
