It's been over five years since the death of Nidge shocked the nation as Love/Hate left our screens forever.
That was, until RTE announced they would be bringing the series back to life once more, as a shake up to their TV schedule amid Covid 19 isolation.
The hit show starring Robert Sheehan, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Ruth Negga and Barry Keoghan first aired on RTÉ back in 2010 and follows Dublin’s gangland world of crime, drugs and feuds.
So whether you were a day one fan, or plan to give the gangland drama a second chance when it makes it’s highly anticipated return, here’s some random facts about the show that captivated the nation.
1) The grand finale
The finale of Love/Hate drew an audience of more than 1 million viewers.
The broadcaster said the final episode of season five had an average live viewership of 1,005,400.
2) The first death
There was a lot of killings throughout the five series, so nobody could blame you if you are struggling to remember who was the first to take a bullet.
Digging back through the archive, we can reveal Darren’s brother Robbie was the unlucky first person killed in the show, just minutes after being released from prison.
His death undoubtably set the tone for the entire series, happening within the first five minutes of the first episode.
3) And the last
In one of the most violent episodes of the hit drama ever broadcast, King Nidge was brutally shot down by a hail of bullets in the explosive season finale.
Finishing off the shocking finale, bomb maker Patrick took his bloody vengeance in his feud with the crimelord, also killing Siobhan in the process.
Her death came just as she revealed that she was the ‘rat’ in Nidge’s gang, and that the guards were on the way to arrest him.
In the same death filled episode, Nidge’s bit-on-the-side, brothel madam Janet, was also tortured and murdered on the orders of Spain-based drug lord Terrence.
4) What was in the ‘cocaine’?
The copious amounts of ‘cocaine’ used by the characters in the show is a sugary glucose substance.
5) The real detective
Detective Garda Ciaran Madden was played by Kieran O’Reilly, who is actually a member of An Garda Siochana in real life.
6) The poor cat
The explosive scene where Wayne shot a cat was highl controversial, and received 41 complaints.
However, the cat, who’s real name is Cleo finally had it’s day landing an appearance on the Late Late show in the week following the episode.
7) Keith’s cameo
Boyzone singer turned actor Keith Duffy made a brief appeared as gym manager Mark in season four.
8) Fran’s favourites
Fran’s catchphrase “coola-boola” was ad libbed by the actor himself Peter Coonan.
Meanwhile, the character’s favourite drink is Poitin.
9) The real names
Almost all of the heavies in the series are introduced and therefore known as their nicknames.
But for those who were wondering, Elmo’s full name is Eric Creed, but only his father called him that.
Meanwhile, Nidge’s full name is Nigel Delaney, Fran’s name is Francis Cooney and Ado is Adrian Kenny.
Tommy’s full name is Thomas Daly, Trish is Patricia Delaney, and “Git” is Christopher Loughman.
10) Previous links
Throughout the series, there is a lot of mismashing and wife swapping within the storylines, with many of the cast crossing paths.
But it isn’t too far from real life.
Before the show began, Ruth Negga and Robert Sheehan previously starred in misfits together.
Meanwhile, a lot of the stars actually grew up together and are still good pals
Charlie Murphy, who played Siobhan told Irish Daily Mirror: “We are all still great friends, we’ve known each other for ages, sure we all grew up together.”
Meanwhile, Ian Lloyd Anderson, who played Dean told : “I’d be very good friends with a good few with them so I see them all the time.
“But it is funny, I think I’ve worked with six or seven of them since on different things but I don't know if you could get that band back together for one last hurrah.”
