It’s Netflix’s new UFO. The “Bodkin” series, set in the heart of rural Ireland, is currently causing a sensation! Ranked #3 in the red-letter VOD platform’s top trends, the program is a clever balance of detective series, tinged with dark, wry humor. An entertaining series set in the heart of rural Ireland, as surprising as it is confusing!
Since its release last week on Netflix, the Bodkin series has been considered the pleasant surprise we weren’t expecting. Produced by Barack Obama and his wife, the show stretches over 7 episodes, through a plot that fascinates as much as it disconcerts.
To help you understand, we’ll set the scene:
Bodkin tells the story of Dove Maloney (played by Siobhán Cullen), a rather embittered Dublin journalist, who discovers the lifeless body of the whistleblower who was also one of her sources.
Faced with the crisis, her boss decides to put her on the back burner and send her away. To do this, he sends her to Ireland, Dove’s native land. She is to accompany Gilbert Power (played by Will Forte), an American podcaster. Their mission: to record a podcast dedicated to the mysterious disappearances that occurred in the small Irish village of Bodkin on Samain day, many years ago…
But things soon get complicated… And it seems that Bodkin has many secrets to hide…
Bodkin’s current success is largely due to its departure from the usual detective series format. Forget the caricature of the genre: Bodkin begins his story with a clever blend of simplicity, seriousness and unexpected humor. All this in an astonishing Ireland, far from clichés, where we show an Irish countryside plagued by boredom and a shrinking social fabric.
Here, the plot stretches out slowly… but we’re not going to sulk! It has to be said that the gritty punchlines, colorful characters and overall atmosphere have a lot to do with it.
For the Bodkin series clearly deconstructs the thriller to offer a more authentic, human and piquant vision. It’s more about “normal” intrigue than sensationalism. And it’s this simplicity that reminds viewers that it’s possible to make a good program without resorting to special effects and outrageous action scenes!
We’ll spare you the suspense: no, Bokin doesn’t really exist in Ireland. This is a purely invented village, and the series had to call on numerous locations to build its scenes.
Nonetheless, the show allowed us to wander around some pretty corners of the country. Starting with Sally Gap (Co. Wickow), the valley where Lough Tay is found. It’s here, near this famous lake, that Gilbert Power is seen taking a few shots in the first episode.
The cameras then moved to County Cork, in south-west Ireland. They passed through the village of Union Hall, Poulgorm Bridge and the village of Glandore.
But that’s not all! Scenes were also shot near Dublin, then in Enniskerry, Howth, Leopardstown racecourse; and Julianstown.
Irish condensed! Add to that plenty of pints and Irish music in Bodkin’s pubs, and you’ve got yourself a colorful Irish experience!
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