Tall Tales and Murder delivers a fast-moving, chaotic narrative that lands somewhere between a caper and an overloaded pop-culture pastiche. Based on the first of the Dublin Trilogy novels by Caimh McDonnell and written for television by Stuart Carolan, the series moves at a breakneck pace across six episodes.
The project arrives with considerable industry backing. Carolan previously created the hit Irish crime drama Love/Hate—a show often described as the Irish answer to The Wire—while co-creator Chris Addison brings comedic pedigree from The Thick of It and Veep. Yet the resulting tone offers an erratic blend of disgruntled gangsters, a dysfunctional care home, buried treasure, bedroom cuckoldry, and even a Paul Mescal lookalike contest.
Care Worker Bridget Crosses Paths with Local Miscreant Paul
The story opens at a residential care facility managed by a no-nonsense matron played by Aisling O’Sullivan, who maintains an unconventional arrangement with local cop Bunny, portrayed by Brian Doherty. At the center of the care staff is Bridget, played by Ella Lily Hyland, a worker with a hoarding habit who handles her shifts and on-site lodgings while managing her own struggles.
Ella Lily Hyland & Chris Addison are revealing what to expect from their new dark comedy series, ‘Tall Tales and Murder’ 🎬🖤 Comment your questions below 👇 pic.twitter.com/DMaQIMh2J2
Bridget cares for Rose, a dementia patient portrayed masterly by 93-year-old Sheila Flitton, who believes she is only seven years old. Through Bunny, Bridget crosses paths with local miscreant Paul, played by Casey Walsh, who takes on night shifts at the home after abandoning car theft.
The narrative shifts gears when a comatose John Doe at the facility, played by Aidan Gillen (who notably appeared in The Wire), wakes up. His recovery triggers an old underworld feud centered around a hidden cache of Celtic gold. Alongside the main plot, Philippa Dunne appears as Ma Baker, a leopard print-clad gangster.
An Overstuffed Narrative Approach
Despite strong individual performances—particularly the chemistry between Hyland and Walsh, and Flitton’s commanding screen presence—the series struggles under the weight of its own ambition. Critics note that the show piles on an excessive number of characters, subplots, and tonal shifts, leaving central storylines unresolved and background characters abruptly abandoned.
"It’s mad, it’s funny!" 🕵️♀️💥 Philippa Dunne opens up about playing fearsome mob boss Ma Baker in the wild new comedic crime drama Tall Tales & Murder, landing on the BBC this Tuesday 3rd November! 🕶️✨ pic.twitter.com/i8BH8G93n5
While boredom is rarely an issue given the relentless stream of twists and vignettes, the sheer volume of material risks overwhelming the viewer. The balance between grounded drama and eccentric comedy ultimately strains under its own self-indulgence.
Tall Tales and Murder Streams on BBC iPlayer
Tall Tales and Murder aired on BBC One and is currently available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
