St. Patrick’s Day may inspire raucous parades of green beer, but it does not inspire as many holiday-themed episodes of TV shows. So we’ll break from our 2023 theme for a bit, and instead we’ll highlight movies and TV shows with Irish-American characters. The Irish have a long history of law enforcement in the United States after an early 1900s influx of immigrants from Ireland coincided with cities in the United States building up formal police departments.
While law enforcement grows more diverse with each passing year, Irish-American cops and criminals alike remain staple tropes of mystery and crime dramas. And although the historical stereotype and most of the on-screen tropes focus on male Irish-American cops, I’ve called out strong, prominent female characters wherever possible.
TV Shows
NYPD Blue (1993-2005)
NYPD Blue is a police procedural drama that follows the lives of detectives in the NYPD’s 15th precinct in Manhattan. One of the main characters, Detective Andy Sipowicz, is an Irish-American cop, known for his gruff personality and his no-nonsense approach to solving crimes. Sipowicz is a fan favorite, and the actor won multiple awards for his portrayal of the character. Also noteworthy is the 15th precinct’s Irish-American female detective, Maggie Doyle.
Crossing Jordan (2001-2007)
Father of the title character, retired Boston police detective Max Cavanaugh often helps Jordan and her colleagues by providing insider knowledge and connections within the police force. Despite his retirement, Max still maintains his connections to the police department and uses his standing within the local Irish-American community to help his daughter and her colleagues solve cases.
The Wire (2002-2008)
The Wire is a crime drama series set in Baltimore that follows the lives of various characters, including police officers, drug dealers, and politicians. Dominic West plays the role of Irish-American Jimmy McNulty, a detective in the Baltimore police department who is investigating a drug kingpin. The show explores the challenges of being a cop in a city where corruption and violence are rampant. Each season follows a single case, with season 2 prominently featuring the Irish-American leader of the dockworkers’ union and his family as they struggle against dock modernizations that would render their jobs obsolete.
The Shield (2002-2008)
The Shield is a crime drama series that follows the story of a corrupt police unit in Los Angeles. Main character Detective Vic Mackey is an Irish-American cop, known for his brutal tactics and his willingness to bend the law to get what he wants. Mackey is a complex character, who is both loved and hated by fans of the show.
Bones (2005-2017)
Bones is a mystery-comedy series that follows the story of forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan and FBI special agent Seeley Booth as they solve crimes together in Washington D.C. Booth is an Irish-American cop, who is charming, street-smart, and has a knack for getting into trouble. He is the perfect partner for Brennan’s scientific approach to solving crimes.
Castle (2009-2016)
Castle is a mystery-comedy series that follows the story of Richard Castle, a famous mystery novelist, who teams up with NYPD detective Kate Beckett to solve crimes in New York City. Also in the NYPD’s 12th precinct is Irish-American detective Kevin Ryan, one of the main supporting characters on the show. Known for his humorous dialogue and stellar research skills, Ryan often serves as Castle’s alternate crime-solving partner.
Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014)
Boardwalk Empire is a period crime drama series set in Atlantic City during Prohibition. The show follows the life of Irish-American Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, a political figure involved in organized crime. Nelson Van Alden, an FBI agent, investigates Nucky’s criminal activities. The show explores the dynamics of power in the criminal world and the conflicts between rival gangs.
Hawaii Five-0 (2010-2020)
Hawaii Five-0 is a police procedural drama that follows the story of the Hawaii State Police as they solve crimes on the islands of Hawaii. One of the main characters, Detective Danny Williams, is an Irish-American cop from New Jersey, who transfers to Hawaii to be closer to his daughter. Known for his quick wit, Danny has a strong sense of justice and a volatile temper.
Blue Bloods (2010-present)
Blue Bloods is a police procedural drama that follows the lives of the Irish-American Reagan family, who are all involved in law enforcement in New York City. The patriarch of the family, Frank Reagan, is a former NYPD commissioner, while his son, Danny, is a detective known for his hot temper and his ability to solve even the toughest cases. Also noteworthy, female Irish-Americans Erin Reagan, prosecutor for the New York County District Attorney’s Office, and Danny’s police partner Jackie Curatola.
The Blacklist (2013-present)
The Blacklist is a crime thriller series that follows the story of Raymond “Red” Reddington, a former government agent turned criminal, as he helps the FBI track down other criminals on his “blacklist”. One of the main characters, FBI agent Donald Ressler, is an Irish-American cop, known for his by-the-book approach to law enforcement. Ressler is a complex character, haunted by his past and his relationship with his father, also a law enforcement officer.
True Detective (2014-present)
True Detective is a crime drama anthology series that follows the story of detectives as they solve crimes in different parts of the United States. In the first season, one of the main characters, Detective Marty Hart, is an Irish-American cop, known for his no-nonsense approach to solving crimes. Hart is a complex character, who is haunted by his past mistakes.
Mindhunter (2017-2019)
Mindhunter is a crime drama series that follows the story of two FBI agents, Holden Ford and Bill Tench, as they interview serial killers to understand their motivations and behavior. Bill Tench is an Irish-American cop, who is a seasoned FBI agent with a wealth of experience in law enforcement. Tench is a no-nonsense, straight-talking cop, who is the perfect counterpoint to Holden Ford’s more academic approach to solving crimes.
Movies
The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)
The Friends of Eddie Coyle is a crime drama that follows the story of Eddie Coyle, an aging Irish-American criminal, who becomes an informant for the FBI to avoid going to jail. Meanwhile, Dillon, a tough Irish-American cop, gets tasked with keeping an eye on Coyle and his criminal associates.
The Verdict (1982)
The Verdict is a legal drama that follows the story of a down-on-his-luck lawyer, Frank Galvin, who takes on a medical malpractice case against a powerful hospital in Boston. Ed Concannon, a cunning Irish-American lawyer, represents the hospital and will stop at nothing to win the case.
The Untouchables (1987)
The Untouchables is a crime drama that follows the story of Eliot Ness, the federal agent tasked with taking down Al Capone during Prohibition-era Chicago. Jim Malone, a tough Irish-American cop, becomes Ness’s mentor and helps him in his quest to bring down Capone.
Miller’s Crossing (1990)
Miller’s Crossing is a crime drama that follows the story of Tom Reagan, a trusted advisor to a powerful Irish-American gangster. Reagan becomes embroiled in a power struggle between rival gangs in a fictional city during Prohibition alongside Irish-American gangster Leo O’Bannon, and Bernie Bernbaum, a sleazy Irish-American bookie.
The Boondock Saints (1999)
The Boondock Saints is a cult classic crime thriller movie set in Boston. The movie follows the MacManus brothers who become vigilantes after witnessing a crime in their neighborhood. Paul Smecker, an FBI agent, investigates the brothers’ crimes. The movie explores the themes of justice and vengeance.
Road to Perdition (2002)
Road to Perdition is a crime drama that follows the story of a Irish-American cop, Michael Sullivan, who seeks revenge for against his former employer, a notorious Irish-American gangster. Sullivan worked as an enforcer for the gangster, but turns against him to protect his son and seek justice for his family’s murder.
Mystic River (2003)
Mystic River is a crime thriller movie that takes place in Boston. The movie follows the lives of three Irish-American men when the estranged childhood friends reunite following the murder of one of their daughters. The movie explores the themes of friendship, grief, and the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma.
The Departed (2006)
The Departed is a crime thriller movie set in Boston. Billy Costigan, an undercover cop, infiltrates the Irish-American criminal organization led by Frank Costello. When Colin Sullivan, a criminal, infiltrates the police department, Billy and Colin’s relationship becomes a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse.
Gone Baby Gone (2007)
Gone Baby Gone is a mystery drama that follows the story of two private detectives, Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro, as they search for a missing girl in the tough streets of Boston. Kenzie is an Irish-American cop, who grew up in the same neighborhood as the missing girl, and is determined to find her.
The Town (2010)
The Town is a crime drama that follows the story of a group of bank robbers in Boston, and the Irish-American cop, FBI agent Adam Frawley, who is hot on their trail. Frawley is a smart, tough cop, who is determined to catch the robbers at any cost.
Black Mass (2015)
Black Mass is a crime drama movie set in Boston. The movie stars Johnny Depp as James “Whitey” Bulger, a notorious Irish-American gangster who is working with the FBI to take down a rival mafia family. Joel Edgerton plays the role of John Connolly, an FBI agent who is Bulger’s handler. The movie explores the dynamics of power in the criminal underworld and the consequences of working with the authorities.
Patriots Day (2016)
Patriots Day is a crime docudrama movie that takes place in Boston. The movie features Tommy Saunders, a Boston police officer who is involved in the investigation of the Boston Marathon bombing. The movie follows the events leading up to the bombing and the aftermath, including the manhunt for the suspects, and explores the themes of resilience and community in the face of tragedy.
Irish-American characters have remained a popular staple in the mystery and crime genres, especially in cities along the American East Coast like Boston, New York, and Baltimore. Irish-American cops and criminals alike have given us some of the most memorable characters in the genre, and their stories continue to captivate audiences to this day.
These tv shows and movies explore various themes, including loyalty, betrayal, power dynamics, justice, and revenge. And while my list contains obvious selections, like The Shield, I hope I’ve managed to include a few new entries for your “to watch” list. So, get your popcorn ready and start binging!
Learn more about the Irish-American cop trope, Officer O’Hara (TV Tropes)
Learn more about the Irish-American criminal trope, The Irish Mob (TV Tropes)
