The Woman in the Wall: Plot, Cast, True Story & Season 2

Ruth Wilson delivers a mesmerising performance as Lorna Brady in The Woman in the Wall, a BBC mystery drama that blends the true horrors of Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries with a gripping psychological thriller spanning six episodes. The series, created and directed by Joe Murtagh, premiered on BBC One in August 2023 and has since become available on Paramount+ in the US.

Series · 6 Episodes · 2023 · Drama/Mystery · Ruth Wilson, Daryl McCormack · Created by Joe Murtagh

What is the story of The Woman in the Wall?

Plot overview

The Woman in the Wall follows Lorna Brady, a woman who wakes one morning to discover a corpse in her kitchen she has no memory of placing there. As a survivor of the notorious Magdalene Laundries—inhumane institutions that operated in Ireland well into the late 20th century—Lorna must navigate her fractured memories while Detective Colman Akande arrives to investigate the apparent murder. According to The Cinemaholic, the series explores “the invisible trauma of institutional abuse and the slow process of reclaiming one’s identity after systematic erasure.”

The fictional town of Kilkinure, where the series is set, serves as a microcosm of Irish society grappling with hidden histories. According to Goodto, the show “blends psychological mystery with historical trauma, creating a narrative that is both unsettling and deeply human.”

Key characters

Ruth Wilson portrays Lorna Brady, delivering what critics have called a “mesmerising performance” that anchors the entire series. Daryl McCormack plays Detective Colman Akande, whose investigation pulls at threads connecting Lorna’s past to the present crime. The supporting cast features prominent Irish actors who bring authenticity to the small-town setting.

Joe Murtagh, who wrote and created the series, serves as both writer and director. As reported by Visit Ards and North Down, Murtagh “brings a deeply personal sensitivity to the material, having grown up with awareness of these institutions’ legacy in Ireland.”

Episode breakdown

The series spans six episodes, each building tension around Lorna’s fractured memory and the growing evidence that suggests her past and present are more connected than anyone realised. Episode structure follows a classic mystery format while weaving in historical context through carefully placed flashbacks to Lorna’s time in the Laundries.

Where was Woman in the Wall filmed in Ireland?

Principal photography for The Woman in the Wall began in August 2023 and wrapped on February 22, 2023, after 18 weeks of filming across multiple locations in Ireland. As documented by The Cinemaholic, the production team filmed extensively in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to capture the contrasting environments that serve the story’s dual timelines.

Primary filming sites

Portaferry in County Down, Northern Ireland, stands in for the fictional Kilkinure. As noted by Visit Ards and North Down, “the lough shore village of Portaferry showcases Ards and North Down scenery, with colorful antiquated houses providing an authentic backdrop for the period drama.”

County Mayo in the Republic of Ireland hosted a major portion of filming, including villages like Westport and Cong. According to The Cinemaholic, County Mayo offers “diverse landscape from rocky coasts to rolling hills,” terrain that has also attracted productions like The Banshees of Inisherin.

Northern Ireland spots

Strangford village in Northern Ireland, situated across from Portaferry across Strangford Lough, featured in the show with its narrow winding streets and lough-side setting. As documented by The Cinemaholic, Strangford is “surrounded by Strangford Lough and farmlands, providing a distinctly Irish rural atmosphere.”

Belfast, Northern Ireland, was used for scenes directly tied to the Magdalene Laundries legacy. According to The Cinemaholic, “real Magdalene Laundries in Belfast influenced location choice, with the city’s historical and modern environments along the River Lagan providing authentic settings.”

Key town locations

The production filmed in a small Northern Ireland community where crew members knew each other, creating what Ruth Wilson described as a particularly personal experience. As quoted by The Cinemaholic, Wilson said: “They all knew each other because it was a very small community. For many of them, it was particularly personal as it’s their story.”

“The cast and crew across the board were phenomenal. We filmed in Northern Ireland, and I think it was one of the best crews I’ve worked with.”

— Ruth Wilson, Lead Actress (Lorna Brady), The Cinemaholic

Is there a season 2 of The Woman in the Wall?

Season 2 status

As of available information, there has been no confirmed second season of The Woman in the Wall. The production wrapped filming in February 2023 with the series airing later that year to positive reception. According to Goodto, “no confirmed Season 2 filming locations or start date” have been announced.

Renewal chances

The first season concluded with narrative threads that could support additional seasons, but neither BBC nor the production company Motive Pictures have made official announcements about renewal. The series’ reception has been strong, but the isolated nature of the story—designed as a complete narrative in six episodes—makes continuation uncertain.

Creator comments

Joe Murtagh has not publicly committed to additional seasons, focusing instead on the complete storytelling of the first season. The historical nature of the source material and the closed narrative structure suggest that any continuation would require significant new story development.

Is The Woman in the Wall a good series?

Rotten Tomatoes score

The series received generally positive reviews upon release, with particular praise for Ruth Wilson’s central performance. The mystery elements combined with historical weight created a compelling viewing experience that stood out among 2023 drama releases.

Critic consensus

Critics noted the series’ willingness to tackle difficult subject matter with sensitivity while maintaining genuine suspense. The gothic mystery elements—unusual settings, atmospheric cinematography, and period authenticity—created an unsettling mood appropriate to the subject matter.

Audience reactions

Viewers responded positively to the series’ balanced approach, finding it both educational about a dark chapter in Irish history and entertaining as a mystery thriller. Ruth Wilson’s performance was consistently cited as the standout element.

“A powerful exploration of trauma and memory that delivers both as history lesson and gripping drama.”

— Review synthesis from Visit Ards and North Down

Is Woman in the Wall based on a true story?

Magdalene Laundries history

The Woman in the Wall is a fictional drama inspired by the true events of the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland. These institutions operated from the late 18th century through the 1990s, housing women and girls deemed “morally unsuitable” by Irish society—often for unmarried pregnancy, mental health issues, or family circumstances beyond their control.

As documented by Visit Ards and North Down, “Magdalene Laundries were inhumane institutions in Ireland’s history,” operating with church and state complicity for over a century. The last laundry closed in 1996, with official state apologies issued only in 2013.

Real inspirations

Creator Joe Murtagh drew from extensive historical research and survivor testimonies to craft a narrative that captures the essence of institutional trauma without being a direct adaptation of any single story. The series received praise for handling sensitive material responsibly while maintaining dramatic tension.

Fictional elements

The character of Lorna Brady and the mystery plot are entirely fictional, created to explore the psychological aftermath of institutionalisation. The fictional town of Kilkinure and the murder mystery serve as vehicles for examining real historical trauma rather than dramatising specific events.

Cast and crew

Produced by Motive Pictures with funding from Northern Ireland Screen, The Woman in the Wall is backed by Fifth Season. The six-part series on BBC One features Ruth Wilson as Lorna Brady alongside Daryl McCormack as Detective Colman Akande. Michelle Fairley appears in supporting cast, known for her roles in numerous Irish television productions.

“I love coming home to shoot.”

— Daryl McCormack, Actor, The Cinemaholic

Where can I watch The Woman in the Wall?

The series aired on BBC One in the UK and is available on Paramount+ in the United States. International viewers can access the series through their regional Paramount+ subscription. The show is also available on other streaming platforms depending on geographic region.