If you've rewatched Dexter more times than you can count and are craving something fresh that scratches that same itch, Hulu has your next obsession. Obituary, a two-season Irish dark comedy, has quietly become one of the most acclaimed serial killer shows in recent memory—and it's practically begging to be binged.
Set in a sleepy Irish town, the series follows Elvira (Siobhán Cullen), an obituary writer for the local paper who decides to take matters into her own hands when her editor tells her she'll only be paid per obituary. In a town of just 5,000 people, that's not exactly a recipe for a steady paycheck—unless, of course, you start creating your own material. And that's exactly what Elvira does.
A Lead You'll Root For and Fear
Much like Michael C. Hall's Dexter Morgan, Elvira is a protagonist who makes you feel deeply conflicted. She's sympathetic—she lost her mother in childbirth and struggles with a need for control—but she's also terrifying. Her self-imposed rules (no killing children, only those who "deserve it," and never hurting loved ones) feel almost noble at first, but the show quickly reveals how impossible it is to keep murder tidy. Each victim has people who will miss them, and Elvira's attempts to justify her actions only deepen her moral spiral.
Siobhán Cullen delivers a performance that is both heartbreaking and chilling. She makes you understand Elvira's loneliness and desperation, even as you recoil from her choices. It's a tightrope walk that few actors could pull off, and Cullen does it with unsettling grace.
More Than Just Murder
What elevates Obituary above a simple serial killer romp is its willingness to tackle heavy subjects with nuance. The show weaves in a poignant exploration of addiction through Elvira's father, Ward (Michael Smiley), whose drinking spirals after he helps cover up a crime. In one devastating scene, Elvira begs him not to drink—only to discover he's already drunk. His quiet admission that he can't stop, and that his greatest fear is letting her down, is gut-wrenching.
The series also takes a sharp look at the decline of local journalism. Reporters are pushed out, freelance rates are slashed, and editors demand stories that feel like cinema rather than news. Elvira's murder spree becomes a darkly satirical commentary on the lengths people will go to survive in a dying industry. It's a timely critique that adds unexpected depth to the bloodshed.
Why It's the Perfect Dexter Replacement
If you're mourning the end of Dexter (or just tired of its later seasons), Obituary offers a similar blend of dark humor, moral complexity, and a protagonist you can't look away from. The show already has two seasons available on Hulu, with the second dropping in 2025, so there's plenty to sink your teeth into. And with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, it's clear critics agree: this is a hidden gem worth unearthing.
For fans of dark comedies and twisted protagonists, Obituary is a must-watch. It's the kind of show that makes you laugh, cringe, and think—all while wondering if you should be rooting for the killer. And honestly, that's exactly what made Dexter so compelling in the first place.
If you're looking for more binge-worthy hidden gems, check out our list of Forgotten Fantasy Gems: 7 Near-Perfect Shows You Need to Binge. Or, if you're in the mood for another darkly comedic series, Why Hulu's 'Misfits' Is the Perfect Replacement for 'The Boys' might be right up your alley.
