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The Young Offenders season 5 drops on RTÉ Player this Good Friday. Chris Walley and Alex Murphy reunite as troublemaker best friends Jock and Conor. After time apart in different prisons, the beloved Irish comedy is back with new chaos, romance, and heart.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Release Date: Good Friday, April 3, 2026 from 7am on RTÉ Player
- Creator: Peter Foott celebrates the 10th anniversary of the franchise
- Cast: Chris Walley, Alex Murphy, Hilary Rose, Shane Casey, and original ensemble
- Plot: Jock escapes Colombian prison and reunites with Conor in Cork
The Beloved Duo Finally Reunites
RTÉ Player brings back one of Ireland’s most beloved comedies with the highly anticipated season 5. Jock and Conor are back together after spending time apart in different prisons across two continents. The reunion marks a pivotal moment for the characters, who maintain a stronger bond than ever before. Creator Peter Foott stated that seeing these characters reunited is a joy for fans who have followed them for a decade.
The Irish coming-of-age series returns to Cork where the lads grew up. After Jock makes a lucky escape from a Colombian prison, he becomes a stowaway on a ship bound home. Conor, meanwhile, has spent the intervening time trying to build a more civilized life. Their reunion sets the stage for familiar chaos mixed with genuine heart, as the two navigate their ongoing struggles with romance, family, and ambition.
RTÉ Player drops The Young Offenders season 5 this Good Friday
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Where to Watch and When
Series 5 launches on Good Friday, April 3, streaming the entire season from 7am on RTÉ Player. Viewers can also watch episode 1 on linear RTÉ One at 10:30pm the same day. Starting Saturday, April 4, new episodes air weekly on RTÉ One at 10:30pm. This dual-platform strategy gives fans the option to binge all episodes at once or follow the weekly broadcast schedule.
The show is produced by Vico Films for BBC in association with RTÉ, continuing the partnership that has made the series a success across Ireland and the UK. RTÉ executives are thrilled with the new season, describing it as comedy drama with big heart and brilliantly bad behavior.
Season 5 Plot and Cast
| Detail | Information |
| Release Date | April 3, 2026 |
| Platform | RTÉ Player, RTÉ One |
| Lead Cast | Chris Walley, Alex Murphy, Hilary Rose |
| Creator | Peter Foott |
The fifth season brings back the original ensemble cast in full force. Hilary Rose returns as Mairéad, while Shane Casey, Demi Isaac-Oviawe, Dominic MacHale, Jennifer Barry, P.J. Gallagher, and others reprise their roles. The storylines are every bit as chaotic and ambitious as fans remember. Conor faces losing the love of his life, while Jock attempts to rebuild his relationship with Star. The lads hatch even crazier plans with locals to improve their circumstances, leading to schemes that test friendship and family bonds.
“It’s a joy to be able to bring season 5 of The Young Offenders to fans of the show who have followed these characters for 10 years now. Season 5 brings Conor and Jock back together with a stronger bond than they’ve ever had, and we’re really excited to share these chaotic and heart-warming stories with audiences.”
— Peter Foott, Creator
A Decade of Laughter and Heart
The Young Offenders franchise celebrates its 10th anniversary with this new season, having started with the 2016 feature film. The transition from film to television has been remarkably successful, with audiences embracing the lovable rogues at the center. Ireland’s RTÉ and BBC partnership has created one of the most authentic coming-of-age comedies on television, blending humor with genuine emotional moments.
Season 4 left viewers with Conor developing the tools to live independently, ready for civilized society. Jock’s time in a Colombian prison clearly hasn’t reformed him in the slightest, making their reunion the perfect recipe for comedy, chaos, and unexpected tenderness. The show proves that the best friendships survive distance, imprisonment, and the inevitable bad decisions that come with being young and Irish.
Will This Be the Final Season?
With season 5 confirmed, fans naturally wonder if more episodes lie ahead. Creator Peter Foott has not announced whether this will be the last installment, leaving the door open for future seasons. The success of the show, both critically and commercially, suggests there’s plenty of life left in Conor and Jock’s story. Executive Producer Justin Healy called season 5 the best series yet, hinting at continued confidence in the franchise. For now, fans should savor every moment of this return to Cork.
Sources
- RTÉ Communications – Official announcement of season 5 release details and cast
- BBC Media Center – Plot synopsis and creator insights for series 5
- IFTN – Release schedule and executive producer commentary
