If you’re looking for your next drama binge, Watch With Us is highlighting a show that has a little bit of everything — murder, romance, secrets and lies — with a little humor mixed in amid the darkness.
Bad Sisters, Apple TV+’s drama series starring Sharon Horgan, is a story about the lengths we’ll go to protect family. The stellar performances, great writing and great character development make it a fascinating watch, but it’s never reached the mainstream popularity it deserves. Here’s why you should make Bad Sisters your newest TV obsession.
The Plot Is Shocking, Complicated and UniqueThe opening title sequence of Bad Sisters, in which a rolling marble sets off a Rube Goldberg-esque chain reaction that sets a house on fire, is a perfect encapsulation of the messy, complicated and meticulously plotted story. The titular sisters are the Garveys, a close-knit family of sisters whose parents died when they were young, leaving eldest sister Eva (Horgan) to raise the younger Grace (Anne-Marie Duff), Ursula (Eva Birthistle), Bibi (Sarah Greene) and Becka (Eve Hewson). The sisters were as close as could be until Grace married John Paul (Claes Bang). Under J.P.’s controlling, manipulative influence, the sisters notice Grace being pulled further and further away from them.
The series begins at John Paul’s wake, and it’s quickly revealed in flashbacks that, unbeknownst to Grace, the other Garvey sisters had been plotting to kill their brother-in-law to protect Grace — and themselves — from his abuse.
At the same time, brothers Matt (Daryl McCormack) and Thomas (Brian Gleeson) Claffin, who run their late father’s insurance company, are nearing bankruptcy and desperate not to pay John Paul’s life insurance policy. As they search for proof of foul play in the death of Grace’s husband, the brothers become dangerously entangled with the Garvey sisters.
Bad Sisters plays with morality and “good vs. evil,” making the viewer question whose actions are right and wrong. Each episode details a way in which J.P. wronged one of the sisters, illustrating their not-entirely-selfless motives to dispatch him, but the true nature of his death is not revealed until the end of the season.
For their part, the Claffin brothers are technically on the side of justice, but they resort to underhanded methods to achieve their goals — yet Thomas is expecting his first child with his beloved wife Teresa (Seána Kerslake), so it’s hard to root against him. There are very few “good guys” and “bad guys” in this morally complex show — except when it comes to John Paul himself.
The second season of Bad Sisters is enjoyable as well, but the first season is a tightly written, smart story that stands beautifully on its own.
It’s a Relatable Portrayal of Sibling RelationshipsHaving a sibling is complicated. You can love them and hate them in the same breath. You have days where you’d rather die than talk to them, and days where they’re the only person who can understand you.
Bad Sisters reflects the multi-layered nature of these relationships beautifully. Both the Garvey sisters and the Claffin brothers drive each other mad, but at the end of the day, they have each other’s backs. One of the most impactful moments in the series is when Becka learns how John Paul has been tormenting Ursula (it’s vile, but we won’t spoil it here). Her righteous fury, as well as the way her sister’s pain seems to genuinely pain her, too, is deeply compelling to watch. (It’s a fantastic acting showcase for Hewson, who’s usually more light-hearted and charming in her role as Becka.)
The role of a sibling in one’s life is even a factor in John Paul’s personality, as you’ll understand when you hear his senile mother Minna (Nina Norén) discuss the fate of his older sister.
The season 1 finale reveals what really happened to John Paul, and it’s a shocking twist that shows how even the most mild-mannered among us will go to unspeakable lengths to protect our families.
Aside from the more dramatic moments, the bickering and banter between the siblings feels so genuine, you truly believe they’ve known each other all their lives. They have inside jokes, traditions and an easy rapport. In their darkest moments and their most joyful ones, the deep love between the “Garvey girls” is palpable and lovely to see.
The Irish Setting Is Delightfully EngrossingIf you, like the Watch With Us team, are easily charmed by Irish accents, Bad Sisters is a must-see. The Dublin setting is integral to the show’s visuals, from the rolling green hills to the sleek downtown office buildings.
Every bit of dialogue is made more engrossing by the specificity of the language and culture. Despite being based on a Flemish show, Clan, Bad Sisters feels like a quintessentially Irish series — one that immerses you so deeply, you’ll start to feel like a Garvey yourself.
If you’re seeking a drama that will engross and captivate you, while still incorporating humor along the way, don’t miss Bad Sisters. Watch it on Apple TV+ now.
