The Dry
[Full series drop on ITVX on Thursday 23 March]
Series overview
Starring Roisin Gallagher, Ciarán Hinds, Pom Boyd, Siobhán Cullen, Moe Dunford and newcomer Adam Richardson, The Dry celebrates the joyful chaos and dark absurdities of family life in a series that is all about recovery.
When Shiv Sheridan (Gallagher) returns to Dublin after years of partying in London, she is sober and full of good intentions - but being back with her family makes staying on ‘the dry’ much harder than she expected. As Shiv tries to navigate this new phase of her life, so must her family...and they all have issues they don’t want to face.
From the producers of Normal People, this moving comedy-drama is an irreverent, sharp and funny depiction of a family in various forms of denial. The story centres on 35-year-old Shiv, the eldest daughter, as she returns to Ireland for her grandmother’s wake, taking a break from London and her ‘career’ (with a small ‘c’) in art. Shiv is six months sober, and it is fair to say her life is not going as planned. Shiv’s family – who have never really dealt with or talked about the damage caused by the sudden death of her adored elder brother, not to mention her parents’ failing marriage or Shiv’s own chaotic behaviour – are wary of having her back. To make matters worse there’s also her charmer of an ex-boyfriend Jack, who has the uncanny knack of always appearing when she’s at her most vulnerable. His charming presence reminds Shiv of the excitement and thrill of excess from her youth – to call him a trigger would be an understatement. Can Shiv come to terms with her true addiction and the realities of her life, amid a dysfunctional yet loveable family who are each individually facing their own demons?
Episode 1
When Shiv Sheridan lands home in Dublin for her grandmother’s funeral, she finds the family are busy preparing for the wake. Sister Caroline is in organised mode, doling out tasks to everyone. As people arrive, the topic of conversation centres on Shiv and her new sobriety. Shiv and her brother Ant take refuge in the kitchen making sandwiches. The wake progresses to a boozy session. Outside Shiv meets her ex, Jack. The two share a fag and as he leaves, he kisses her. As the party winds down Shiv helps her mother to bed and finally summons up the courage to ask to stay.
