Quirke is the chief pathologist in the Dublin city morgue – a charismatic loner whose job takes him into fascinating places as he investigates sudden deaths in 1950s Dublin. His pleasures in life are raw and deep, a drink, a smoke, good food, a woman: With one woman in particular – his adoptive brother's wife Sarah and the forbidden love that has shaped and dominated Quirke's life.

• Gabriel Byrne
• Nick Dunning
• Brian Gleeson
• Aisling Franciosi
• Stanley Townsend
• Michael Gambon