The Irish gangland drama Love/Hate has built a fiercely loyal following well beyond its 2010–2014 run. Five seasons of sharp writing, brutal realism, and standout performances have made it a cult classic. Viewers in the UK can stream every episode right now for free. For everyone else, there are solid options too, and connecting to a secure VPN is the quickest way to access it from anywhere.
UK viewers can stream all five seasons free on ITVX. Irish viewers have free access via RTÉ Player. Australian viewers can watch free on SBS On Demand.
Is 'Love/Hate' available in the US?
Yes. It streams on Roku and BritBox in the US. BritBox offers a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.
Will there be a season 6 of 'Love/Hate'?
Actor John Connors claimed in 2024 that two new seasons were in development, with Netflix as the likely platform. RTÉ has not confirmed this. Nothing official has been announced.
Does a VPN work with ITVX?
NordVPN and ExpressVPN both work reliably with ITVX. Connect to a UK server before opening the ITVX app or website.
VPN Guider tests and recommends VPN services for legal recreational use only, including accessing geo-restricted content in line with each platform's terms of service.
How many seasons and episodes does Love/Hate have?
Love/Hate ran for five seasons with a total of 28 episodes. The series originally aired from October 3, 2010, to November 9, 2014 on RTÉ One.
What is the average running time of each episode?
Each episode typically runs between 50 and 60 minutes, with most episodes averaging around 50–55 minutes in length.
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Here is where to watch Love/Hate online across every major region
Quick Streaming Guide
UK: ITVX (free)
Ireland: RTÉ Player (free)
US: Roku / BritBox
Canada: BritBox
Australia: SBS On Demand (free)
Everywhere else: Use a VPN to access your home platform
What Is ‘Love/Hate’?
Love/Hate is a five-season Irish crime drama set in the Dublin underworld. Created by Stuart Carolan and produced by Octagon Films for RTÉ, it follows the brutal rise and fall of a Dublin drug gang. The series aired between 2010 and 2014 and became the most-watched Irish drama in television history.
Aidan Gillen plays John Boy Power, the gang’s feared leader in season one. Robert Sheehan, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Killian Scott, and Peter Coonan round out a cast that also includes Ruth Negga and a very early Barry Keoghan appearance.
The show is dark, morally complex, and rewards close attention. If you enjoy crime dramas like The Wire or Gomorra, this sits comfortably in that category.
How to Watch ‘Love/Hate’ Around the World
How to Watch for Free in the UK
All five seasons of Love/Hate are available to stream for free on ITVX right now. No subscription is required. A free ITVX account gives you full access to every episode.
Travelling outside the UK? You can still watch UK TV abroad by connecting to a UK-based VPN server. This routes your connection through the UK, so ITVX treats your device as a local one.
How to Watch From Anywhere
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, reroutes your internet connection through a server in another country. The primary function of a VPN is to hide your IP address and replace it with one from your chosen location. Streaming platforms then read that location, not your real one.
The steps are straightforward:
Choose a VPN from the recommended options below and download the app.
Open the app and connect to a server in the UK, Ireland, or US.
Open ITVX, RTÉ Player, or your chosen platform.
Search for Love/Hate and start watching.
How to Watch in the US
US viewers can stream Love/Hate on Roku or BritBox. BritBox costs $8.99 per month and offers a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.
UK residents travelling in the US can access ITVX for free by connecting to a UK VPN server. Once connected, it’s easy to access ITV outside UK.
How to Watch in Canada
Love/Hate is available on BritBox Canada at $8.99 CAD per month. As well as a free trial is available for new subscribers.
How to Watch in Australia
Australian viewers get the best deal. Love/Hate streams for free on SBS On Demand. No subscription is needed, only a free SBS account.
How to Watch in Ireland
All five seasons are available on the RTÉ Player at no cost. However the RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, so a VPN with an Irish server is needed if you are abroad.
Best VPNs to Watch ‘Love/Hate’ From Anywhere
Not every VPN holds up against streaming platform detection. Some of the most secure VPN providers also happen to perform best for streaming. These three are worth considering and all rank among the best VPN for USA.
NordVPN is the top recommendation for most users. With over 6,400 servers across 111 countries, it offers fast speeds and consistent access to ITVX and other geo-restricted platforms. It keeps a verified no-logs policy and includes a built-in ad blocker. Plans start from $3.99 per month on longer subscriptions.
ExpressVPN is the better choice if speed is your priority. Its Lightway protocol keeps 4K streams stable, and the apps are clean enough for first-time VPN users. It costs slightly more than NordVPN, but performance justifies it for regular streamers.
Surfshark suits anyone covering multiple devices. One plan covers unlimited simultaneous connections, making it practical for households. It offers strong privacy features including a no-logs policy and CleanWeb ad blocking. Pricing is competitive, especially on two-year plans.
If you are only getting started and unsure which to pick, a regular VPN like NordVPN covers the basics cleanly without requiring any technical setup.
Cast of ‘Love/Hate’
Actor
Character
Episodes
Tom Vaughan-Lawlor
Nidge Delaney
28
Charlie Murphy
Siobhan Delaney
28
Peter Coonan
Fran Cooney
24
Killian Scott
Tommy Daly
22
Robert Sheehan
Darren Tracey
16
Aidan Gillen
John Boy Power
10
Ruth Negga
Rosie Moynihan
10
Barry Keoghan
Wayne
6
‘Love/Hate’ Season Guide
Series 1 (2010) – 4 Episodes
Plot: Focuses on Darren Treacy (Robert Sheehan) returning to Dublin from Spain, attempting to stay out of trouble but drawn back into the gangland world led by John Boy Power (Aidan Gillen) after his brother Robbie is gunned down.
Key Occurrences: Intense paranoia grows within the gang as they search for a “rat.” Darren attempts to uncover who killed his brother. The season establishes the brutal, unforgiving nature of the Dublin underworld.
Ending: The hunt for revenge brings the gang to breaking point.
Series 2 (2011) – 6 Episodes
Plot: A year later, Darren is working for Fran (Peter Coonan) while trying to avoid the toxic influence of John Boy.
Key Occurrences: John Boy falls into a heavy cocaine habit, becoming increasingly erratic. The Gardaí (police) are closing in, and DI Moynihan (Brían F. O’Byrne) begins to put pressure on the gang.
Ending: John Boy becomes too unpredictable and dangerous. In the final, Nidge (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor) and Darren conspire to eliminate John Boy, with Nidge stepping up to become the new leader.
Series 3 (2012) – 6 Episodes
Plot: Nidge takes control, but the transition is rocky. The gang is under pressure from both the police and rivals.
Key Occurrences: A rival group, the Loughman family, sparks a war. Fran and Nidge’s relationship deteriorates into a bitter feud. Tommy (Killian Scott) suffers severe injury.
Ending: The rivalry leads to a bloodbath, with Nidge solidifying his power but accumulating more enemies.
Series 4 (2013) – 6 Episodes
Plot: Nidge is established as the top dog, but his paranoia increases as he faces threats from within and outside.
Key Occurrences: The gang gets involved in sex trafficking, leading to further moral degradation. Siobhan (Charlie Murphy) begins to act as an informant for the police, putting her in extreme danger.
Ending: The series ends with massive tension, as the police sting operation closes in on Nidge’s operation.
Series 5 (2014) – 6 Episodes
Plot: Nidge’s empire is crumbling. He is facing threats from a traveller named Patrick and is under intense surveillance by DI Moynihan.
Key Occurrences: Fran is in prison but still managing to threaten Nidge. Siobhan’s double life spirals out of control as she falls in love with one of the people she is supposed to be informing on.
Ending: The series concludes with the brutal death of Siobhan, who is killed by Patrick as she reveals her role as a “rat.” The final episode ends with Nidge’s, and the, downfall.
A student of political science, a student of media, and a lifelong student of the spotlight — thoughtfully, not just theatrically.
Between research notes and red carpets
