Alicia Silverstone stars as a Los Angeles divorce attorney who travels to Ireland to uncover secrets about her estranged father in the new Acorn TV series Irish Blood. The show blends weekly mysteries with a season-long family saga, emphasizing character development over intense violence. It premieres on August 11 with all six episodes available.
Irish Blood introduces viewers to Fiona Fox, portrayed by Alicia Silverstone, a high-powered attorney shaped by her father Declan's abandonment when she was ten years old. Declan, played by Jason O’Mara, left Fiona and her mother Mary (Wendy Crewson) behind, influencing Fiona's distrust in relationships and her career focus on holding men accountable. The plot ignites when Fiona receives a cryptic package from Ireland, prompting her immediate departure to the scenic hills of Wicklow.
Upon arrival, Fiona discovers a briefcase filled with childhood mementos, launching her into investigations tied to her father's hidden past. Lacking expertise in crime-solving, she partners with a young Irish police officer (Ruth Codd), the owner of a local boxing gym (Leonardo Taiwo)—with whom she shares instant romantic tension—and her assistant Tess (Djouliet Amara), skilled in online research. The episodic mysteries touch on horse racing, MMA fighting, and links to a criminal gang, though they serve primarily as backdrops to the overarching narrative.
The series excels in exploring Fiona's emotional journey and her unexpected connections with newfound Irish family, the Murphys. This includes her spiky grandmother Isadora (Dearbhla Molloy), aunt Una (Simone Kirby), and uncle Finn (Stephen Hogan). Mary's visit adds a multi-generational layer, highlighting themes of reconciliation. Notably female-centric, Irish Blood provides Fiona with a supportive network of women, balancing the daddy issues at its core.
Silverstone delivers a charmingly vulnerable performance, evolving through new relationships and subtle style changes across the six episodes. While the mysteries are mediocre, the focus on family and Ireland's picturesque settings compensates. The finale resolves some questions but ends on a cliffhanger involving larger criminal elements, hinting at future seasons.