The dark comedy has been hailed a must-watch by thriller fans

ITVX is offering the chance to binge-watch a gripping dark comedy thriller for free.

The Irish drama, Obituary, which first aired on RTÉ in 2023 and returned with a second season in 2025, stars Siobhán Cullen (Bodkin, Babies) as an obituarist for a local newspaper.

When Elvira Clancy’s penny-pinching editor informs her that she’ll be paid per obituary, she takes matters into her own hands by murdering her fellow townsfolk to keep the cash flowing.

The synopsis for the series reveals that when she’s moved to a “pay-per-death” structure, Elvira “discovers she has a hidden talent for murder”.

“By eliminating the town’s most unlikable residents, she ensures both her job security and a steady stream of creative writing, all while trying to evade the suspicions of the town’s handsome new crime reporter,” it adds.

The second season picks up from the first with Elvira struggling with the death of her beloved father. Again, she seeks relief in killing, but this time she is beaten to the act by a mysterious new murderer.

A local cop, Detective Rose (Noni Stapleton), suspects Elvira of the crime. Elvira, meanwhile, becomes determined to solve the murder herself.

What have viewers said about Obituary?

The series, which boasts a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, has been likened to the popular crime series, Dexter.

One critic explained: “Imagine Dexter meets Bad Sisters, with a chilling yet somehow quite likable lead performance from Cullen, and you won’t be far off.”

A second chimed in: “There is Dexter, the mother lode of serial killer self-analysis, plus John Michael McDonagh movies The Guard and Calvary… But the show is ultimately a success because it transcends those comparisons to find its own peculiar pitch.”

While a third confessed, “I binge-watched this series in three days. Excellent all around. Good acting, good story, many twists, and an all-around pleasure to watch. I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this series.”

“Can’t recommend this enough. Great characters and with a great twisting storyline”, added another.

Who else stars in Obituary?

Obituary, which was created by Ray Lawlor for RTÉ and first aired in 2023,

The cast also includes Michael Smiley (Bad Sisters, Bloodlands), Ronán Raftery (Gangs of London, The Rook), and Danielle Galligan (House of Guinness, The Walsh Sisters). Máiréad Tyers (Extraordinary, My Lady Jane) also joined in the second season.

Obituary season one and two are streaming on ITVX