These Sacred Vows, RTÉ’s newest comedy-drama, will air on the Sunday night drama slot starting February 1. Created by award-winning gay filmmaker John Butler, the series promises a delectable mix of fun, poignancy, and mayhem. 

John Butler, previously known for Handsome Devil and Papi Chulo, has always been committed to sharing queer stories on screen. In a previous interview with GCN, Butler said “I want to tell stories of gay representation and I want to be in the mainstream”. In These Sacred Vows, one key storyline follows two men of different generations and their experience of being gay in Ireland. 

The 6-part series kicks off on a Spanish island the morning after an Irish wedding, when the priest, played by Dublin’s own Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, is found dead in the swimming pool. We are soon transported back to the previous week and the chaotic buildup to this shocking discovery. 

With each episode following a different character’s perspective, the show is sure to keep viewers hooked on the mystery and the drama. Filmed in Tenerife, the show remains close to Irish soil through its storyline, casting, and distinctly Irish humour. 

Audiences will be sure to recognise some of the phenomenal cast, with Irish stars like Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Love/Hate), Justine Mitchell (Derry Girls), Jason O’Mara (Agents of SHIELD) and India Mullen (Normal People). Vaughan-Lawlor is already off the back of an incredible year, having won Best Supporting Actor at the 2025 IFTAs for his role in the hit series Say Nothing. 

He recently spoke about the upcoming series on The Late Late Show, expressing his gratitude for being able to play such a wide variety of interesting roles, following in his father’s footsteps, who himself played a priest on Love/Hate. 

The Dublin premiere of These Sacred Vows took place January 28 in the Irish Film Institute, ahead of its weekend release. The series will be available to watch on RTÉ and RTÉ Player, with the first two episodes coming to the Player Sunday February 1.