Bad Sisters season two

Faced with the daunting task of following up its near-flawless debut, the second season of Bad Sisters brings an entirely different blend of comedy, drama and suspense. Trading mystery for consequence, it is an ambitious pivot for Sharon Horgan’s Apple TV+ hit that doesn’t quite recapture the original’s alchemy.

Taking place two years after the death of her husband John Paul Williams (Claes Bang), Grace (Anne-Marie Duff) marries Ian Reilly (Owen McDonnell), a man who offers her a fresh start. But as she and her sisters –  Eva (Sharon Horgan), Becka (Eve Hewson), Ursula (Eva Birthistle) and Bibi (Sarah Greene) – try to rebuild their lives, their fragile peace is shattered when John Paul’s father is found dead, bearing serrated blade marks matching his son’s wounds. As closed cases reopen and old suspicions resurface, the sisterly bonds that once protected the Garveys are put to the test.

Titled Good Sisters, the first episode of the second season opens with Grace and Ian’s wedding – a beautiful, refreshingly authentic affair devoid of any cinematic extravagance. Instead, the event is intimate and understated, with modest attendance and decor reflecting the couple’s grounded nature. Despite the show’s heightened profile and possible increased budget, this choice highlights the creative team’s continued commitment to realism. But what made the first season so compelling – the sisters’ unwavering solidarity and witty lines – remains unchanged, but this familiarity ultimately works against the second series. Their interactions remain sharp, with comedic exchanges continuing even amidst growing stakes and suspicion. However, as the sisters come together during Loftus’s investigation into John Paul’s alleged suicide, their shared nervous glances and conspiratorial exchanges no longer carry the same charged tension that defined the first season. As the stakes shift and the story adopts a more procedural tone, the suspense that once felt gripping now feels repetitive. Their familiar interactions fail to evolve with the narrative, instead coming across as a hollow imitation of what once worked.

This is somewhat counterbalanced by fresh additions to the cast, who introduce new dynamics, with the most prominent being Angelica Muldoon (Fiona Shaw). The sister of Grace’s neighbour Roger, she arrives with unsettling friendliness and moral superiority, swiftly inserting herself into the Garvey sisters’ lives. Another standout is rookie detective Una Hoolihan (Thaddea Graham), who, despite her inexperience and occasional blunders, proves essential in unravelling the sisters’ lies.

While the shift from mystery to consequence means season two loses some of the taut, edge-of-your-seat suspense and sisterly dynamics that defined its predecessor, it compensates with a well-crafted story and a continuously evolving ensemble. Though it may not live up to the original, the follow-up to Bad Sisters still retains enough bite, wit and heart to remain an engaging watch.

Christina Yang

Bad Sisters season two is released on Apple TV+ on 13^th November 2024.

Watch the trailer for Bad Sisters season two here: