The Dublin-set gangland drama "Love/Hate" is not just critically-acclaimed and a cult classic in Ireland, it is also a phenomenon that has continued to grow in popularity around the world – there are five seasons waiting for you to binge!
Here's how to watch "Love/Hate" from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for free.
"Love/Hate" is always on somewhere in the world but you can absolutely stream all five seasons for FREE right NOW on ITVX in the U.K.
• FREE STREAM — ITVX (U.K.) / RTÉ player (Ireland)
• U.S. — Roku/ BritBox
• Canada — BritBox
• Australia — SBS
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk-free
The premise is pretty straightforward (gang culture, rivalries, drugs, bloody violence) but it is a tribute to the writing of Stuart Carolan and the performances of the young cast - some of them now not so young - that word-of-mouth enthusiasm continues to attract new fans.
John Boy Power (played by Aidan Gillen) is the top dog at the start of season one and his gang consists of Darren (Robert Sheehan), Nigel "Nidge" Delaney (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor), Robbie (Chris Newman) and Tommy (Killian Scott). Darren's mental health is the focus early on as he struggles to deal with the endemic violence.
If you want to know what happens next, you'll have to catch up with the rest of us. Read on to find out how to watch "Love/Hate" online and from anywhere.
Watch 'Love/Hate' for FREE in the U.K.
Watch 'Love/Hate' from anywhere
Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), "Love/Hate" should be available to Brits no matter where they are. The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you find yourself. Our favorite is NordVPN – and you can find out why in our NordVPN review.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're in the U.S. and want to view a British service, you'd select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the show. Head to ITVX and stream "Love/Hate" for FREE
Watch 'Love/Hate' around the world
How to watch 'Love/Hate' in the U.S.
"Love/Hate" is available to stream in the U.S. on Roku NOW. It is also on BritBox.
However, Brits traveling in the U.S. who want to use their usual domestic streaming platform could look in to using a VPN to stream for free as they would back home. We recommend NordVPN.
How to watch 'Love/Hate' in Canada
As with the U.S., "Love/Hate" is available to stream on BritBox NOW.
Brit abroad in Canada? Signing up to NordVPN will help you access your preferred streaming service at home when you're overseas.
How to watch 'Love/Hate' in Australia
"Love/Hate" is FREE for those Down Under when they stream the show on SBS NOW.
Remember, if you’re traveling and geo-blocking won’t let you connect to the streaming platforms you use back home, purchasing a VPN will allow you to watch "Love/Hate" online wherever you are. We recommend NordVPN.
'Love/Hate' — Cast
CAST INVOLVED IN THREE OR MORE EPISODES ACROSS ALL FIVE SEASONS
Tom Vaughan-Lawlor - Nigel "Nidge" Delaney (28 Episodes)
Charlie Murphym - Siobhan Delaney (28 Episodes)
Peter Coonan - Francis "Fran" Cooney (24 Episodes)
Killian Scott - Thomas "Tommy" Daly (22 Episodes)
Mary Murray - Janet (18 Episodes)
Robert Sheehan - Darren Tracey (16 Episodes)
Laurence Kinlan - Eric "Elmo" Creed (16 Episodes)
Aoibhinn McGinnity - Patricia "Trish" Delaney (16 Episodes)
Brían F. O'Byrne - Inspector Mick Moynihan (12 Episodes)
Aidan Gillen - John Boy Power (10 Episodes)
Ruth Negga - Rosemary "Rosie" Moynihan (10 Episodes)
Ruth Bradley - Mary Tracey (10 Episodes)
Art Campion - Stephen "Stumpy" Doyle (10 Episodes)
Caoilfhionn Dunne - Lizzie (10 Episodes)
John Connors - Patrick (6 Episodes), Patrick Ward (1 Episode)
Patrick Murphy - Karl (7 Episodes)
Barry Keoghan - Wayne (6 Episodes)
Nigel Mercier - Doctor (6 Episodes)
Stephen Clinch - Noely (6 Episodes)
Susan Loughnane - Debbie (6 Episodes)
Gavin Drea - Luke (6 Episodes)
Mark Dunne - Adrian "Ado" Kenny (6 Episodes)
Denise McCormack - Linda (4 Episodes)
Ger Carey - Dave (4 Episodes)
Robbie Walsh - Jimmy Byrne (as Robert Walsh) (2 Eps), Jimmy Byrne (2 Episodes)
Louisa Harland - Kayleigh (4 Episodes)
Ian Lloyd Anderson - Dean (4 Episodes)
Aisling McLaughlin - Mrs. Doyle (3 Episodes)
'Love/Hate' — Season guide
Season 01: Local boy Darren Tracy returns to Dublin after a year abroad, but when one of his old gang is killed, suspicions between old friends quickly turn into thoughts of vengeance.
Season 02: A year has passed since Darren was shot when he tried to extricate himself from John Boy's gang and he has begun to work for newcomer Fran.
Season 03: The Irish gangland drama returns: it's the reign of King Nidge.
Season 04: Modern-day underworld characters Nidge and John Boy wrestle for control of Dublin's illicit drug trade in this forceful crime drama.
Season 05: Nidge appears to be down and out of the game – but he’s not beaten yet. As his enemies close in Nidge must battle to save his throne and his skin.
'Love/Hate' - FAQ
So the last season finished in 2014, why is it still on and why are people still talking about it??
"Love/Hate" is the most successful Irish drama of all-time with a hatful of awards and a brilliant cast working with a remarkable script but the show is also blessed with good fortune. It always seems to get picked up by a new audience at exactly the right time. For example, during lockdown in 2020 all the seasons were uploaded to RTÉ Player where, six years after it had been on the channel, it found a new generation of fans who began to share clips on Tim Tok and Instagram. Obviously aware of the noise around the show, ITVX opted to stream it in 2024 where it is still doing great numbers. Peter Coonan (who plays "Fran" in the show) calls the resurgence "Bizarre".
Will there be a season 6 of "Love/Hate" then?
That's the question. There was chatter in 2015, straight after the last season, that a new one was in "development" before RTÉ denied it. Two years later there was talk of a spin-off and a new season but then nada. And there have been hints since 2017 until this year when actor John Connors ("Patrick") claimed that two new seasons were being planned with Netflix the likely destination. Again, RTÉ issued a denial. Boo!
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