Producers and broadcasters of TG4’s hit crime drama Crá are now pushing to start filming season two in early 2026.
It comes as the successful first series of the Irish-language show, set in West Donegal, has been sold to 68 countries.
Streaming under the international title Boglands, the show has been snapped up by major platforms such as ARTE in France and AMC Networks/Acorn TV in the USA.
Although the name has been changed, the language remains.
Boglands is currently streaming in Irish with subtitles in both the United States and Australia, offering a powerful showcase for contemporary Irish-language storytelling.
Crá was shot in the west of Donegal and stars local actors Seán T. Ó Meallaigh, Charlie Bonner, Andrea Emmett, Denis Grindel and Maggie Hannon and featured the Donegal dialect of Irish as the series’ main language.
CRÁ tells the story of Garda Conall Ó Súilleabháin (Dónall Ó Héalaí Monster, Foscadh), who is thrust into a deeply personal case when the body of his mother, Sabine, is discovered 15 years after she vanished. Barred from the official investigation, Conall joins forces with Ciara-Kate (newcomer Hannah Brady), a determined journalist using her true crime podcast to unearth the village’s darkest secrets.
As the pair delve deeper, they find themselves up against a community bound by silence and moral ambiguity.
CRÁ – Photo: TG4
CRÁ is led by a stellar cast including Dónall Ó Héalai, Alex Murphy (The Young Offenders), and breakout star Hannah Brady as Ciara-Kate. Supporting cast members include Barry McGovern (Obituary), Róisín Murphy (Vikings), Tara Breathnach (Borderline, Dune 2), Caoimhe Farren (The Woman in the Wall), and Alan Mahon (King Frankie).
The first series was written by Doireann Ní Chorragáin and Richie Conroy (Fran the Man), directed by Philip Doherty (Redemption of a Rogue), and produced by Ciarán Charles. Executive producers include Darach Ó Tuairisg of Fíbín Media, Máire Ní Chonláin of TG4, and Karen Kirby of BBC Northern Ireland.
Commissioned by TG4 and BBC Northern Ireland, CRÁ was supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund, and the Irish Tax Incentive for Creative Screen. Its international distribution is handled by APC (About Premium Content), positioning Boglands as a standout entry in the global boom of foreign-language crime dramas.
“From day one, we knew CRÁ was special,” said Darach Ó Tuairisg, Executive Producer at Fíbín Media. “It’s a modern, layered mystery grounded in a uniquely Irish setting, showcasing the best of Irish talent. To now see it resonate in 68 countries, including being the first Irish language series to air on BBC Network and to see it broadcast in territories like the US and Australia in original language is a testament to the strength of our creative team and to the global appetite for compelling, original, Irish-language stories.”
Deirdre Ní Choistín, TG4 Director General, praised the series’ international impact: “The global success of CRÁ, is a proud moment for TG4 and for Irish-language public sevice media. It demonstrates that Irish language creativity and storytelling can have universal appeal. CRÁ reflects TG4’s commitment to delivering compelling content that resonates far beyond Ireland and the Irish language community, and we are delighted that CRÁ, will reach audiences around the world.”
Máire Ní Chonláin, Commissioning Editor at TG4, said: “We are incredibly proud of the cast and crew of CRÁ, whose talent and dedication have brought this powerful story to life. Their hard work and creativity have helped the series achieve remarkable success, both at home and internationally. It’s a shining example of the strength and global resonance of Irish-language storytelling.”
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