An Irish series from 2010 has caught the attention of ITVX viewers (Picture: PA/RTE)
An Irish thriller series with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes is being compared favourably to Keira Knightley’s new Netflix series.
Keira’s Black Doves dropped in December and has a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – but some TV viewers think they’ve found an even better show.
Love/Hate, the Irish series which started back in 2010 and is available for free on ITVX, has an incredible perfect score on the critic website.
The crime drama, created by Irish TV network RTÉ, is set in Dublin and follows the gangland tension in the Irish capital’s criminal underworld.
Starring Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Aoibhinn McGinnity, and Charlie Murphy, Love/Hate looks at the effects of gang violence on the perpetrators and victims.
The series came to a close in 2014 after five seasons, having won several awards, including 19 Irish Film & TV Academy awards (the Irish equivalent of the Baftas).
Love/Hate is being raved about by fans (Picture: PA/RTE)
On X, @Snowaldinho eagerly recommended Love/Hate to a mutual follower, calling the show ‘one of the best dramas I’ve ever seen.’
Elsewhere, @DeanoRifles said that, after being told to watch the series by his followers, he was pleased to report that they were indeed correct.
‘You were [all] so right! It’s the b******s too! Bloody nice one, everyone! Highly recommend this to anyone else who hasn’t seen it.’
The most recognisable face to British viewers is likely to be Robert Sheehan, who played Nathan Young in the E4 sci-fi comedy drama Misfits between 2009 and 2011.
Keira Knightley’s Black Doves series has been critically acclaimed (Picture: AP/Netflix)
The series has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (Picture: RTE/IFTA)
Meanwhile, spy thriller Black Doves is similarly violent as it follows Kiera’s character Helen Webb through the secretive and conspiratorial corridors of power.
Helen is the wife of the Secretary of State for Defence, but when her secret lover is killed by London’s criminal underworld, she finds out her identity as a spy is under threat.
@Fauzandr31 on X is a fan: ‘I hope more people watch Netflix’s Black Doves. It is so good! The chemistry of Keira Knightley & Ben Whishaw is just incredible.’
However, @Blueboy22M compared both shows and said he was more of a fan of Love/Hate: ‘Black Doves is rubbish… Have you watched Love/Hate -every episode is gripping.’
Some Love/Hate fans prefer the 2010 series to the new Netflix thriller (Picture: Netflix)
Fans of Black Doves are torn after it was announced that the Netflix series had been renewed for a second season despite wrapping up its story in six episodes.
‘Black Doves Season 2 is coming, darlings,’ an announcement read, but the reaction among viewers was mixed to say the least.
‘Great acting, and intriguing build up, but ultimately disappointingly mediocre. Nonetheless I’ll watch a second season,’ Jonathan commented.
‘Please don’t,’ user @aayu joked, although superfan Louis was excited for more: ‘I felt there was unfinished business. Glad it’s coming back!’
Watch Love/Hate on ITVX. Watch Black Doves on Netflix.
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