The offbeat Irish dark comedy series Obituary, which has achieved a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, is now available to stream for free on ITVX. The show, which revolves around an obituarist who becomes a serial killer, offers two seasons for viewers to binge.
Plot Overview
Set in the small town of Kilraven, the series follows Elvira Clancy, a young woman obsessed with death, played by Siobhan Cullen (Babies, Bodkin, The Dry). When faced with the prospect of losing her full-time job and going freelance, Elvira takes matters into her own hands by getting a head start on her work and actively contributing to people's demises. The pressure mounts as she must also support her alcoholic father, Ward, portrayed by Michael Smiley. Meanwhile, new crime reporter Emerson Stafford, played by Ronan Raftery, investigates a cold-case murder in the town.
Critical Acclaim and Audience Reactions
The first season captivated viewers. X user Richard succinctly stated: If you like a laugh and murder, then this Irish show could be for you. Another fan, Alyson, shared: Full of black humour just as Bodkin was, and set in Ireland, we love it! After the second season's release, Anthony Shannon described the show as sublime, writing: How far will death-obsessed obituarist Elvira Clancy go to feel alive on a superb darkly delicious twisted tale.
Behind the Scenes
Speaking to RTÉ Entertainment in 2023, Siobhan Cullen revealed that upon first reading the script, there was nothing I could compare it to. She added: It just felt very unique. That's what I found appealing – it's a bit dark and twisted but also a lot of humour and light as well. Reflecting on her character, Cullen noted the irony of Elvira being considered the town outcast: It's funny because in her town, she's seen as the oddball, the weirdo, but the characters that make up the town are some of the wildest and weirdest you'll meet. So, she's quite relatable to the audience because she is a quiet human but in this town of freaks and oddballs, she does stand out.
Season Two Details
The second season sees Cullen reprise her role as Elvira, who continues to seek relief through murder. However, this time she faces competition from someone else with the same idea. Both seasons are now available to stream on ITVX.
This article was originally published on May 28, 2024.
