With its new season, Bad Sisters continues to deliver the dark humor and tense drama fans have come to love, grabbing attention with its complex characters and unexpected twists.
Created by Sharon Horgan, Brett Baer, and Dave Finkel, the show, adapted from the Belgian series Clan, tells the story of the Garvey sisters—a family entwined with secrets, betrayal, and, of course, murder. After the explosive first season wrapped up the narrative of the sisters' failed plot to kill Grace's husband, it was uncertain whether the story would continue. Surprisingly, Bad Sisters is back and, remarkably, manages to expand on its gripping foundation.
The new season picks up with the sisters—Grace (Anne-Marie Duff), Eva (Sharon Horgan), Ursula (Eva Birthistle), Bibi (Sarah Greene), and Becka (Eve Hewson)—a few years after the fallout from their previous conspiracy. Grace, having successfully removed her abusive husband from the picture, is breathing light and solace with her daughter Blanaid (Saise Quinn). Peace, it seems, is short-lived, as the nosy Angelica (Fiona Shaw) enters to stir the pot, threatening to reveal old secrets as she digs for the truth.
New characters flesh out the narrative, including Grace's new love interest Ian (Owen McDonnell) and Detective Inspector Leftus (Barry Ward), along with his partner Houlihan (Thaddea Graham). While some newcomers might feel slightly forced, especially Angelica, they bring their unique energy to the ensemble, particularly the dynamic between Ward and Graham, who provide comic relief amid the tension.
But what keeps audiences coming back? It's undoubtedly the strong chemistry among the sisters. Much like the first season, the dynamic among Grace, Eva, Ursula, Bibi, and Becka feels authentic, recalling the many facets of sisterhood as they share laughter, tears, and, yes, dark secrets. While the pacing shifts—as Season 2 seems to kickstart faster than its predecessor—the writing still captures the essence of familial struggles and the tried-and-true bonding of sisters through thick and thin.
While the previous season relied on flashbacks to layer the narrative, the second season opts for straightforward storytelling to maintain engagement. The opening scene of the sisters driving what appears to be a dead body to the cliff sets the tone, immediately inviting doubts and questions. Who is this dead body? How did they end up here? With so many plot twists, the season becomes more about unraveling past and present connections than savoring character development.
Despite some critiques of the season’s pacing and narrative focus, particularly on the stretching of sister arcs, the series remains compelling. Horgan and her co-stars keep the spirit alive, showcasing the sisters' resilience against looming threats. The dark humor weaved through their banter continues to deliver delightful moments, albeit less frequently than Season 1.
Each episode unravels secrets bit by bit, adding layers and exploring the aftermath of past decisions. New episodes release weekly, solidifying Bad Sisters as must-watch television amid the holiday season.
While the second season of Bad Sisters may not quite reach the heights of the first, it successfully balances the raw emotional weight and the dramatic undertones with bursts of humor. Tune in to Apple TV+, as the Garvey sisters are far from done, and there's more to come before the long-awaited season finale.
