Robyn Cara and Siobhán Cullen in 'Bodkin' on Netflix.
What happens in Bodkin stays in Bodkin until a trio of intrusive podcasters arrive in town.
The new Netflix series Bodkin tells the wacky tale of three truth-seekers who dare to uncover long-held secrets in a quaint Irish town where outsiders of the nosey kind are not welcome.
Hilarity ensues in the seven-episode series, which premieres on May 9, as this true crime crew sets out to investigate the disappearance of three strangers in the fictitious quaint, coastal Irish town of Bodkin. (As charming as Bodkin is, you will not find it on a map. This imaginary place is in West Cork and was filmed in Union Hall, Glandore, and parts of Wicklow and Dublin).
The mystery began 20 years ago when three people went missing during the Samhain Festival, the American equivalent of Halloween. Upon first arriving, these podcasters aren’t sure there’s a story to tell, but their determination to discern fact from fiction leads them to bigger and weirder truths than they could have imagined.
Will Forte, Siobhán Cullen, and Robyn Cara in 'Bodkin' on Netflix.
Will Forte, Siobhán Cullen, and Robyn Cara star as the inquisitive trio who charm some and irk many. The locals in this tight-knit community are hiding some pretty big secrets. The town’s charming topography covers up some nefarious goings-on and the last thing the people there want is for the world to know anything about any of it.
An overarching theme in Bodkin is the search for the truth and how time can tarnish memories of how things unfolded in the past. In this case, they learn that the truth isn’t always black or white.
In a recent interview, Forte, Cullen, and Cara each said they were immediately drawn to this story. For Forte, who plays Gilbert, an enthusiastic American podcaster with Irish roots on the hunt for his next big story, it was all about the fantastic writing. He also loved the character, a man who is harboring dark secrets and is desperate for a hit podcast after a string of flops. He has to uncover a juicy story or his life could implode. “Everything was shouting in my head to do this. I was so excited they came to me and asked me to do it.”
Cullen said she was immediately intrigued by her character, a hard-nosed investigative journalist named Dove. “How can someone be so cold and cutting? I was keen to learn more about what makes a person like that. Her complexity drew me in. I hope when people watch Bodkin they come away satisfied after watching a well-told story and also are left questioning the stories they tell about themselves. And, I suppose, the lengths people go in their portrayals of themselves, and why that is.”
As for Cara, she immediately connected to her character, Emmy, who is a funny, hardworking, and eager-to-please researcher. “We share a similar energy and I just loved her. I hope people enjoy the show. It does get weird and I hope they enjoy that,” she laughed. “I hope they connect with the characters and want to see more from them.”
Gilbert, Dove, and Emmy soon meet Seamus Gallagher (David Wilmot), a mercurial and mysterious local who can turn on the charm when it serves his needs; on the flip side, he can just as quickly snap into outbursts of violence when he feels threatened. They also meet Seán O’Shea (Chris Walley), an unreliable country lad who they come to learn is wrapped up in some pretty shady business.
Will Forte in 'Bodkin' on Netflix.
When asked about the theme of seeking and revealing the truth after memories have faded over time, Forte reflected on stories his mother has told him over the years. “I know for sure things didn’t happen how she says,” he laughed. “I mean huge elements of the stories just didn’t happen. I can go back and prove it and she’s like, ‘Nope, that’s exactly how it happened,’ and I agree to disagree. Then I wonder if I’m wrong.”
Cullen added that she has a unique perspective as the youngest child in her family. “I have memories that I'm convinced I was there for but when we go back and fact-check, I wasn’t even born so they’re inherited memories from my siblings. I think it is an interesting aspect of the story and very troubling when three people are trying to investigate a mystery and fielding a lot of half-truths and misremembered facts.”
Bodkin is created and executive produced by Jez Scharf, who also serves as co-showrunner alongside fellow executive producer Alex Metcalf. The series hails from Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground production company. The former White House residents serve as executive producers alongside Tonia Davis, their head of film and television, and Nne Ebong, David Flynn, and Paul Lee. Nash Edgerton is the lead director.
If you are a fan of The Tourist, this is a must-watch. Both darkly comedic thrillers conquer mysteries against the lush green backdrop of Ireland with a wacky cast of characters that must go through a hilarious set of circumstances. Both fish-out-of-water stories draw you in with gripping mysteries while also keeping you laughing at the lengths these colorful characters will go to get to the truth.
