Crime drama Love/Hate set to return to screens next year

John Connors as Patrick and Neili Conroy as Kitty in Love/Hate. Picture: RTÉ.

Actor John Connors has confirmed that the popular crime drama Love/Hate will be back on our screens next year.

The actor, best known for his role as Patrick Ward in the show, made the surprise claim on Virgin Media's The Six O'Clock Show.

Love/Hate became a hit with viewers across Ireland when it was first released back in 2010.

The series featured iconic characters such as Tom Vaughn Lawlor as Nidge, and Robert Sheehan as Darren Kennedy.

Is Love/Hate coming back!? Actor John Connors teased the iconic show's return this evening! 👀#SixVMTV pic.twitter.com/OTx0gEKZoc

— The Six O'Clock Show (@SixOClockShow) February 6, 2025

But after four years in production, the show ceased filming in 2014, leaving fans disappointed.

Now, after years of speculation, Connors has claimed that the series will be back on our screens very soon.

Asked by presenter Brian Dowling about a potential new installment of the show, Connors said: "Yes it is coming back. It's going into production later this year so it will be out next year, yeah.” 

John Connors as Patrick Ward in Love/Hate

His claims shocked Dowling and his co-host Katja Mia who asked if this news was an exclusive.

Connors confirmed that it was “an exclusive” as he “wasn’t meant to say it until tomorrow”.

“Wait, are you serious? Is this serious?,” Dowling and his co-host Mia exclaimed.

“I’m being serious, hand on my heart,” Connors said.

Although Connors could not give away the plot, he revealed that his character, Patrick Ward, would be returning to our screens.

“I can’t reveal the plot. I’ll be in it and I can’t really reveal who else is in it but yeah, it’s going ahead again,” Connors said.

Cast members of Love/Hate Dotty Langan, John Connors, Barry Keogh, Alan Lennex, Steven Clinch and James Ward pictured on Molesworth Street Dublin in 2014 Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

Sharing his excitement about the upcoming project, he added: "It's a long time coming."

In response to Connors' Virgin Media interview, an RTÉ spokesperson said: "There are no plans for a new series of Love/Hate. Fans can watch all five series on RTÉ́ Player."

Connors shared a video on his Instagram account on Friday morning insisting that Love/Hate would return, but not on RTÉ.

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Connors said there will be “some big news" revealed during a sit-down with the writer of the show Stuart Carolan on The Sons of Katie podcast and encouraged fans to subscribe to the podcast on YouTube to keep up up to date on the show.