Chris O’Dowd’s Small Town, Big Story: A Quirky Irish Comedy with a Twist
General News
Friday 28th, February 2025
4 minute read.
Chris O'Dowd's latest creation, Small Town, Big Story, is an ambitious mix of whimsy and genre-blending that will either charm you or leave you questioning its execution. With a star-studded cast led by Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks and House of the Dragon’s Paddy Considine, the series takes a lighthearted yet occasionally poignant approach to small town antics, past betrayals, and the chaos of a Hollywood production landing in rural Ireland.
Hendricks plays Wendy Patterson, a seasoned TV producer returning to her hometown of Drumbán after 25 years in Los Angeles. Charged with leading her first major Hollywood project, she must navigate local eccentricities and the ever-present threat of location scouts steering the production to a more tax-advantageous site across the border. The town’s response? A pig’s head on a stick and a sign reading “Death to the infidels”, an act that raises eyebrows more from a credibility standpoint than a shock value one.
The series introduces a colourful ensemble of characters, with Séamus Proctor (Considine), the local GP, at the heart of the community. He is seemingly content in his marriage to Catherine (Eileen Walsh) until Wendy’s return upends his world. Their shared history unfolds intriguingly, leading to a moment of reflection on their past. As Séamus recalls of their fateful night in the woods at the turn of the millennium.
Beyond the central pair, the show juggles multiple subplots, an ominous elderly patient warning Séamus, “They’re coming for you”, a scheming Hollywood producer (Tim Heidecker) trying to sabotage Wendy from across the Atlantic, and the standard comic auditions for locals vying for extra roles. There is also a budding romance between location scout Jules (Patrick Martins) and world weary barmaid Shelly (Evanne Kilgallon), though Jules’ sheer lack of competence strains believability. Meanwhile, Séamus’ underdog football team remains hopelessly terrible, their ineptitude blamed on being born the year the reservoir was contaminated by sheep carcasses.
Adding to the shows odd character is the history of strange reports over the years in Boyle, which is mentioned throughout, a nearby town known for mysterious happenings. UFO reports in the Curlew Mountains have long fascinated locals and outsiders alike, with various sightings documented over the years. These unexplained events contribute to Drumbán’s surreal and slightly off-kilter atmosphere, enhancing the show’s sense of the unexpected.
Despite some initial meandering, Small Town, Big Story gradually finds its rhythm. A gentle air of amusement permeates the narrative, accentuated by amusing details like a TV executive’s immunocompromised dog and Catherine’s lesson on the distinction between myth and legend. As the Hollywood crew becomes further entangled in Drumbán’s daily life, the show finds a stronger emotional core.
One of the more endearing subplots involves gym owner and failed entrepreneur Jimmy (Sam C Wilson), who is cast in the lead role when the production’s A-list star backs out. Desperate to pay off his IVF bills and settle ambiguous legal troubles, Jimmy sees the role as his golden ticket, despite past failures such as his business venture, Big Jim’s Jim-Jams. Meanwhile, Wendy rejects her LA colleague’s offer to bring in a controversial Hollywood star.
At its heart, Small Town, Big Story thrives on its exploration of truth, redemption, and the weight of past mistakes. The relationship between Wendy and Séamus takes centre stage as past betrayals resurface, raising deeper questions, How much do we need to be believed? Must we always tell the truth, even when it serves no practical purpose? And what happens when the person demanding it is Christina Hendricks, shifting between ice and fire with equal intensity? As Séamus grapples with his choices, the series finds its most compelling moments.
Small Town, Big Story offers a unique and often charming blend of comedy and drama. For those who embrace its whimsical tone, it provides an enjoyable watch. The series airs on Sky Max and is available on Now in the Ireland and the UK.
Hendricks plays Wendy Patterson, a seasoned TV producer returning to her hometown of Drumbán after 25 years in Los Angeles. Charged with leading her first major Hollywood project, she must navigate local eccentricities and the ever-present threat of location scouts steering the production to a more tax-advantageous site across the border. The town’s response? A pig’s head on a stick and a sign reading “Death to the infidels”, an act that raises eyebrows more from a credibility standpoint than a shock value one.
The series introduces a colourful ensemble of characters, with Séamus Proctor (Considine), the local GP, at the heart of the community. He is seemingly content in his marriage to Catherine (Eileen Walsh) until Wendy’s return upends his world. Their shared history unfolds intriguingly, leading to a moment of reflection on their past. As Séamus recalls of their fateful night in the woods at the turn of the millennium.
Beyond the central pair, the show juggles multiple subplots, an ominous elderly patient warning Séamus, “They’re coming for you”, a scheming Hollywood producer (Tim Heidecker) trying to sabotage Wendy from across the Atlantic, and the standard comic auditions for locals vying for extra roles. There is also a budding romance between location scout Jules (Patrick Martins) and world weary barmaid Shelly (Evanne Kilgallon), though Jules’ sheer lack of competence strains believability. Meanwhile, Séamus’ underdog football team remains hopelessly terrible, their ineptitude blamed on being born the year the reservoir was contaminated by sheep carcasses.
Adding to the shows odd character is the history of strange reports over the years in Boyle, which is mentioned throughout, a nearby town known for mysterious happenings. UFO reports in the Curlew Mountains have long fascinated locals and outsiders alike, with various sightings documented over the years. These unexplained events contribute to Drumbán’s surreal and slightly off-kilter atmosphere, enhancing the show’s sense of the unexpected.
Despite some initial meandering, Small Town, Big Story gradually finds its rhythm. A gentle air of amusement permeates the narrative, accentuated by amusing details like a TV executive’s immunocompromised dog and Catherine’s lesson on the distinction between myth and legend. As the Hollywood crew becomes further entangled in Drumbán’s daily life, the show finds a stronger emotional core.
One of the more endearing subplots involves gym owner and failed entrepreneur Jimmy (Sam C Wilson), who is cast in the lead role when the production’s A-list star backs out. Desperate to pay off his IVF bills and settle ambiguous legal troubles, Jimmy sees the role as his golden ticket, despite past failures such as his business venture, Big Jim’s Jim-Jams. Meanwhile, Wendy rejects her LA colleague’s offer to bring in a controversial Hollywood star.
At its heart, Small Town, Big Story thrives on its exploration of truth, redemption, and the weight of past mistakes. The relationship between Wendy and Séamus takes centre stage as past betrayals resurface, raising deeper questions, How much do we need to be believed? Must we always tell the truth, even when it serves no practical purpose? And what happens when the person demanding it is Christina Hendricks, shifting between ice and fire with equal intensity? As Séamus grapples with his choices, the series finds its most compelling moments.
Small Town, Big Story offers a unique and often charming blend of comedy and drama. For those who embrace its whimsical tone, it provides an enjoyable watch. The series airs on Sky Max and is available on Now in the Ireland and the UK.
