If it’s a comedy and it’s got Domhnall Gleeson? Count me in!
In reality, Frank of Ireland actually stars Domhnall’s younger brother, Brian, as the titular Frank. In this brief, six episode season, we learn straight off the bat that Frank is sort of a man child in the sense that he refuses to grow up and take responsibility for anything really. He’s in his early thirties and is still living with his mother, has no job (a “musician”), and keeps trying to get back together with his ex-girlfriend. Probably not helping matters, is his best friend Doofus (Domhnall), who gets bossed around by Frank constantly. Doofus isn’t much better off, but he’s at least got a job!
Most of the series is spent following Frank and Doofus around while they get caught up in various shenanigans. While Doofus is along for the ride for almost everything, he doesn’t get exasperated often with his plans. Perhaps suffering equally at the hands of Frank’s activities, are his ex-girlfriend Aine. After the break-up at the start of the episode, she shacks up with a doctor, who turns out to be pretty dreadful. If there’s a second season, I imagine Frank has done just enough to get back in Aine’s good graces, where she might take him back.
While each episode had me cackling, nothing was better than seeing the actual Gleeson patriarch, Brendan, show up as Frank’s mother’s occasional lover. It’s obvious from the start how much alike these two characters are, despite them both being oblivious to it. In the end though, Frank grows up a little bit from the encounter. It’s crazy to me how much this family looks alike. I do wonder if the casual viewer who didn’t know any of them were related in real life make the connection, or even remotely believe that Frank and Doofus are friends. A really great twist for a second season (if we’re lucky!) would be finding out that Mary’s lover fathered both Frank and Doofus! That would make so much sense and throw an incredible wrench into things.
As it were, for six episodes, I say add this Irish comedy to your list! My personal favorite was the episode where Frank and Doofus lose his mother when they were supposed to be taking care of her and the house. In my eyes, Domhnall Gleeson can do no wrong, and he certainly hasn’t let me down with this!