Looking for some dry-humoured drama? Season two of aptly-named The Dry is your answer – especially as it's been referred to by some as an Irish take on Fleabag.
Covering family drama as well as the struggles of addiction and relationships, the first season of The Dry came out in 2022, and we're super excited for the second chapter to arrive later this month.
Made by the same production team as Sally Rooney adaptations Normal People and Conversations With Friends, as well as Emma Stone's latest multi-nominated movie Poor Things, it's worth adding The Dry to your watchlist.
“Sarah's death was so preventable.”
Here's everything you need to know about The Dry.
What is The Dry about?
The show's official synopsis reads: “When Shiv Sheridan returns to Dublin after 10 years of partying in London, she is sober and full of good intentions – but being back with her family makes staying on the dry harder than she expected. As Shiv navigates her new life, so must her family – and they all have issues they don't want to face.”
As far as season two's plot goes, it will reportedly take place seven months after the first season ended, with Shiv navigating celibate and sober life, while trying to maintain financial stability as well. The rest of her family are also trying to stay balanced in their “new normal” with differing results – including a seriously active run on Tinder for Shiv's younger Caroline.
The reality of family dysfunction plays a big part in the plot summary for season two. It reads: "Have the Sheridans just rearranged their dysfunction and found another groove of denial to fit into? Shiv is determined to get sobriety right this time, to cut the toxic influences out of her life for good.
“But what if the biggest threat to Shiv’s stability turns out to be closer to home? Giving up alcohol is one thing... but what about giving up your family?”
Who has been cast in The Dry?
For season two we will see the return of actress and playwright Roisin Gallagher as alcoholic protagonist Shiv Sheridan, along with Siobhán Cullen as Caroline Sheridan, activist Pom Boyd, Game of Thrones' Moe Dunford, Adam Richardso and Emmanuel Okoye.
Newcomers this series include another Game of Thrones face Michael Elhatton, Derry Girls' Thommas Kane Byrne, Normal People star Seán Doyle, Sam Keeley, Helen Norton and Ruth Codd.
What have critics, cast and the production team said about The Dry?
The show's writer Nancy Harris has spoken out about the importance of representing addiction and the “ordinary reality of being sober”.
“I came up with the idea for The Dry over a couple of years, as like a lot of people, addiction has touched my life in different ways,” she said. "However, every time I'd ever seen addiction represented on screen, it had always been in the most extreme way, such as somebody in rehab.
"I was interested in exploring the ordinary reality of being sober. And of finding the humour in suddenly having to navigate the emotional minefields and absurdities of family life – all while trying not to drink."
Roisin added in a statement that she was “thrilled to be jumping back into Shiv’s shoes once more".
“It has been a joy to work with the returning cast from series one,” she said. "And this time, we’ve welcomed some new faces to share the chaotic shenanigans of the Sheridans' life. I cannot wait to see where this next chapter takes us; there are so many more hilarious twists and turns on her continuous battle to stay sober.”
When and where can I watch The Dry?
The second season will drop on ITVX on 14 March, and you can watch the first season on ITVX or Amazon Prime Video.
Is there a trailer for season two of The Dry?
No, there isn't – but for a taster, check out the trailer for season one below:
