Irish drama fans call for 'all-time favourite' series to make a comeback
An Irish drama from the 90s has been praised as one of the greatest television programmes ever made by viewers, despite being axed in 2001.The programme, which stands as just one of numerous brilliant Irish dramas, spanned six series and initially premiered on BBC in the UK in 1996, before airing on RTÉ One.Audiences will recall the Celtic Tiger boom period in Ireland, an era during which the programme was produced and situated.The show also unfolds against the context of the Catholic Church controversy, when accusations of child sexual abuse linked to Catholic organisations emerged.Several well-known faces appeared in the drama, including Smother star Dervla Kirwan, Tony Doyle, Stephen Tompkinson and Tina Kellegher, reports the Irish Mirror.READ MORE: 'Seriously good' Irish thriller with 3 seasons is streaming for freeREAD MORE: 'Haunting' Irish crime drama hailed 'bingeworthy' is streaming nowThe programme in question is Ballykissangel, which can be viewed on BritBox in certain areas.Stephen Tompkinson played Peter Clifford, a clergyman who gets relocated from Manchester to the tiny, isolated Irish village of Ballykissangel.The fictional village's name comes from Ballykissane, a place the show's writer, Kieran Prendiville, had visited with his relatives during childhood.The third series witnessed a major cast overhaul, with two leading characters departing, and audience numbers started dropping over time until it was ultimately scrapped in 2001.Supporters flocked to IMDb reviews to express their opinions on the drama, with glong131 describing it as "one of the best TV shows of all time". They further commented: "I really feel that this is one TV show that can and should be brought back! It was amazing acting, writing, and scenery. A few of the original actors have, sadly, died and some of the characters were killed off, but the meat of the show is still there."From the research I've tried to do, it seems a fairly accurate portrayal of rural Ireland as well."Jhsteel praised it as "one of my all-time favourites", adding: "I feel that all the characters in BallyK are friends who I want to visit - I feel as if I know them. It also hasn't dated too much and I think new viewers would enjoy it as much as those of us who remember it warmly from the first time around."Nocturne-3 chimed in: "A great programme! It's absolutely smashing! If you've ever the chance to watch this programme, do give it a chance. It's brilliant and even though some characters have left it is still just as great!"."The new characters are very exciting and as always it is very well written."Ballykissangel is available on BritBox in some regions.**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website**
