If you’ve worked your way through classic British crime dramas from Happy Valley to Line Of Duty, we’ve found your next addictive watch – all the way from Australia. Jack Irish is an unmissable detective drama centred around a rugged private investigator with a lot of baggage. Across three series, Jack (Guy Pearce) tackles everything from gruesome murders to dangerous conspiracies, making it essential viewing for crime fans.
The series, which first aired in Australia in 2016, follows Jack, who’s a former lawyer turned debt collector and private investigator. Like all our favourite TV detectives, his life is complicated. He’s haunted by the murder of his wife and then his life takes an unexpected turn when a seemingly straightforward job pulls him into a mysterious case involving a religious group.
If Jack Irish sounds like your type of show, then good news: there are three series ready to watch now. Here’s what you need to know about this underrated detective drama, including the cast, plot and how to watch it.
What is Jack Irish about?
Based on the bestselling books by Peter Temple, Jack Irish introduces us to a gritty side of Melbourne and follows the eponymous debt collector turned private investigator played by Guy Pearce. The character first graced our screens through TV films, back in 2012, but you don’t need to have seen them to get stuck into the series today.
The titular detective is a moody, gruff but charming lead who has a knack of landing himself in trouble. It’s a classic detective series and has been labelled Aussie-noir (think Scandi-noir but lighter). Between the high-speed chases, ruthless killers and shoot-outs, the action is balanced with dry humour and colourful characters, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Across the three series, he solves all sorts of cases, from religious conspiracies to police murders. While compelling, the storylines are easy to follow, making for a perfect afternoon’s viewing.
As for our central sleuth, his private life is a bit of a mess. When he’s not cracking cases, he’s watching the football, sinking beers in the pub and getting into complicated romantic situations – but it’s impossible not to be charmed by him. Think The Mentalist’s Patrick Jane but Australian.
However, a dark cloud hangs over his existence. His wife, Isabel, was brutally murdered, which was the catalyst for him abandoning his legal career. The truth behind what happened to her is finally revealed in the third series, so this show will keep you guessing. Then there’s his on-again-off-again journalist girlfriend Linda Hillier (Marta Dusseldorp), who helps him crack cases.
Who’s in the cast of Jack Irish?
The cast of Jack Irish includes:
- Guy Pearce (The Brutalist) as Jack Irish
- Marta Dusseldorp (A Place To Call Home, Janet King) as Linda Hillier
- Roy Billing (The End) as Harry Strang
- Aaron Pedersen (Mystery Road) as Cam Delray
- Kate Atkinson (Wentworth) as Simone
- Shane Jacobson (Guardians Of The Tomb) as Barry Tregear
Is there a trailer for Jack Irish?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for Jack Irish below.
Is Jack Irish any good?
Yes – it’s an easy watch. If cosy crime is just too comfortable, then Jack Irish is for you. The cases are interesting, but it’s not Harlan Coben-level baffling. Jack is the ultimate anti-hero: he’s flawed, yet charming. Each series centres around one central mystery, meaning the cases are fully fleshed out. The slow-burn storytelling gives you plenty of time to become immersed in Jack’s world, while the supporting characters are given room to grow.
How can I watch Jack Irish?
You can watch Jack Irish now on Channel 4.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
For another detective drama set further afield, we’d suggest A Remarkable Place To Die. The series follows detective Anais Mallory (Chelsie Preston Crayford), who returns to her hometown of Queenstown, New Zealand, to investigate an extremely personal case and a series of perplexing murders. You can watch A Remarkable Place to Die now on U and Channel 4. For something similar, we’d suggest Ludwig. It follows John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor (David Mitchell), who swaps puzzle-making for crime-solving when his detective twin brother vanishes. Ludwig is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.