Sharon Horgan and Anne-Marie Duff’s return show is a worthy sequel

If you’re in the camp of people who can’t possibly imagine what a Bad sisters The second season could add to that top notch, neatly packaged/one-and-done finale of the first season, then buckle up. Because the second appearance of the show does not disappoint.

In contrast to the Garvey sisters’ botched attempts to murder John Paul (Claes Bang), creators Sharon Horgan, Brett Baer and Dave Finkel hit the jackpot with the second season, starting with a slight change in the show’s tone.

After a brief period of levity, the showrunners ditch the comedy influence and instead foreground the Apple TV+ show with unexpected gravity.

Related: Best streaming services UK 2024 – including Disney+, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV+

The dark themes feel a little more intense than in the first season due to their insidious nature, but rest assured the humor is still there (we said “buried,” not “erased”).

The slow-paced nature of this humor seems entirely appropriate and in keeping with the even more intimate, emotional narrative of the second season. That doesn’t mean you have to wait for the back half for all the laughs (the makers don’t forget that it’s a black comedy), but rather that the comedy picks up pace towards the end.

Still, whenever a Garvey sister is around, absolute chaos inevitably reigns, and so there are moments throughout that are inherently funny as they slip through the cracks of the sisters’ personalities.

Related: Bad sisters‘ Anne-Marie Duff comments on her hopes for Grace in Season 2

If that disappoints you, it shouldn’t be. You’ll be too busy dealing with the latest mystery and all the weight it brings with it. The ensemble cast is just as charmingly wacky as ever as they come together to solve a problem that they’re making worse and worse with every move.

Their private struggles provide personal growth for each character, particularly Horgan’s Eva, who is trying to take control of her body and her future but still struggles with what fulfillment looks like for her. Becka (Eve Hewson) also has to deal with deep thoughts.

Both storylines deepen the characterization of these women, and in a black comedy full of ridiculousness, the series’ quiet and subtle exploration of these aspects of femininity must be appreciated.

The newest cast members filling the call sheet also ensure that the narrative doesn’t seem stale and warmed over. Fiona Shaw takes on the role of Roger’s (Michael Smiley) sister, the overbearing, insufferable Angelica Collins, and she is perfect in every way. It fascinates, it confuses and frustrates in equal measure and this wonderful cocktail of strangeness simply captivates you.

Detectives Una Houlihan (Doctor Who‘S Thaddea Graham) and Fergal Loftus (Barry Ward) replace the Claffin brothers as the latest thorns in the sisters’ side. The duo’s uneasy dynamic increases pressure on the Garveys as young recruit Houlihan feels the need to prove herself.

Graham’s Houlihan is aptly annoying, and while you won’t necessarily fall in love with her, her actions are satisfying in a way that will make you hate her.

Grace’s (Anne-Marie Duff) new boyfriend Ian Reilly (Owen McDonnell) brings out a more sensual, daring and confident side of Grace in more ways than one.

While her arc this season has some highlights, it doesn’t go as smoothly as it deserves after John Paul. However, her journey to find her voice and harness her inner strength after the ordeal of season one is rewarding.

Daughter Blanaid (Saise Quinn) is also a real treat. Quinn is exceptionally good at adopting the insufferable teenage attitude, with looks that could kill more effectively than a Garvey. The adults in her life inspire sympathy due to her whip-sharp tongue, as she casually spits venom before looking back at them blankly, as if she doesn’t know why they’re offended.

Her acerbic jokes have a blunt humor that points to much deeper unresolved issues.

You vacillate between feeling sympathy for the traumatized teenager and wanting to scream at the TV, all thanks to Quinn’s eloquent portrayal of the character.

Blanaid makes some important realizations at the end of the series, but unfortunately it doesn’t feel earned as she was never given the opportunity to process them in a believable way on screen.

However, if this is the only criticism of this season, then it is still a worthy sequel. The twists seem more impactful this time and the story matures and develops in the most natural way.

Should you keep your fingers crossed for a third season? It’s controversial. In the end it feels like a closed book, but the same goes for the first season and look how wrong we were.

While those around them need to be careful, there may be a little more life left in the Garveys after this second season.

Bad sisters Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on Apple TV+.

Gift ideas and offers for November 2024

TV Writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her master’s degree in magazine journalism in 2013 and has since progressed professionally in the industry. She spent six years honing her analytical review skills at the Good Housekeeping Institute, eventually becoming assistant director of food testing. From 2013 to 2020, she also freelanced in film and television journalism, interviewing A-list stars such as Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021, she joined Digital Spy as a TV writer, where she can delve deeper into what she loves by watching tons of TV in the name of her work. Since taking on the role, she has done red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed on BBC Radio and London Live. In her free time she also publishes the book “Gothic Angel”.