ITV has acquired The Galway Bay Murders, a new six-part crime thriller starring Kate Mulgrew (Star Trek: Voyager, Orange Is the New Black) and Colm Meaney (The Commitments, Gangs of London). The series will air on ITV1 and be available to stream on ITVX in the UK.
What is The Galway Bay Murders about?
Produced by Two Cities Television, the company behind police drama Blue Lights, the series is set in Connemara on Ireland’s west coast. The story follows a former New York detective whose hopes of starting a quieter life in Ireland are disrupted by a murder that draws her into a complex local investigation.
Mulgrew stars as Nora Savage, a seasoned NYPD detective who moves to the west of Ireland to escape a traumatic past. Her plans change when the body of a young woman is discovered in a bog, prompting her to work alongside the local Garda team to uncover the truth.
The investigation leads to Free Farm, an ambitious organisation where young people live and work together on sustainable agriculture and scientific research. As the detectives look beyond the community’s seemingly idyllic façade, they encounter hidden motives, conflicting loyalties and secrets with potentially devastating consequences.
Blending a central murder mystery with dark humour, complex characters and the landscapes of Connemara, The Galway Bay Murders explores the lengths people will go to protect their secrets—and the determination required to expose them.
The ensemble cast also features John Connors (The Gentlemen, Irish Blood), India Mullen (Normal People, Under Salt Marsh), Cillian O’Sullivan (Daredevil: Born Again, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) and Jack Rowan (A Town Called Malice, Wreck).
Darren Nartey, Head of Content Acquisitions at ITV, described the series as a high-calibre drama combining a compelling mystery, a strong cast and the distinctive setting of Ireland’s west coast. He said ITV was pleased to partner with ITV Studios, Two Cities Television and RTÉ to bring the series to UK audiences.
Louisa Forsyth, VP UK & Ireland Sales at ITV Studios, welcomed the deal, highlighting the collaboration between Two Cities Television’s production team and the series’ cast. Stephen Wright, Joint CEO and Creative Director of Two Cities Television, also expressed enthusiasm for bringing the drama to an international audience, praising creator Eithne Verling’s vision and Mulgrew’s connection to Galway and Connemara.
Eithne Verling Makes Her Television Writing Debut
Created and written by Eithne Verling, The Galway Bay Murders marks the writer’s television debut. A former archaeologist and museum curator, Verling draws on her personal connection to the region to shape the series’ setting and storytelling.
All six episodes were written specifically for Mulgrew following a chance meeting between the actor and Verling in Galway, which developed into a close friendship.
Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy, whose credits include Baltimore and Kin, direct The Galway Bay Murders. The production is a collaboration between Two Cities Television, part of STV Studios, Keeper Pictures and AS I AM Productions.
Commissioned by Irish broadcaster RTÉ, The Galway Bay Murders is made in association with ITV Studios, which is also handling its international distribution.
The six-part series, with episodes running 60 minutes each, will air on ITV1 and stream on ITVX.
Source: ITV Studios
