For more than six decades, Coronation Street has reigned as one of ITV’s crown jewels — a cultural institution woven into the fabric of British television since

its launch in 1960. Generations have grown up on the cobbles, investing in the heartbreak, humour and high drama that spills from the Rovers Return into every corner of Weatherfield.

But beyond the UK, another long-running serial has quietly built a legacy of its own. Now, fans are increasingly turning their attention to the Dublin-set drama Fair City,

a series many viewers insist deserves far more recognition. Frequently compared to Corrie for its community spirit, layered storytelling and fearless approach to taboo subjects, the Irish favourite is being hailed by some as the “underrated must-watch” soap ITV audiences never knew they needed.

Debuting on September 18, 1989, Fair City transports viewers to Carrigstown, a fictional suburb on the north side of Dublin. Like Weatherfield, it thrives on familiarity: the local pub, bustling café and convenience stores become stages upon which everyday lives unravel in extraordinary ways. Families feud, loyalties fracture and romances bloom and burn out — all under the watchful gaze of neighbours who know far too much.

The comparison to Coronation Street is inevitable. Both shows ground their spectacle in working-class reality, creating characters who feel less like scripted creations and more like people viewers might meet in their own communities. That relatability has proven powerful. While it may not command the same international headlines as its British counterparts, Fair City consistently draws enormous audiences at home and remains the most-watched drama in Ireland, with average figures hovering around the half-million mark.

What truly sets the soap apart, however, is its willingness to step into the fire.

Over the decades, Carrigstown has become the backdrop for stories that mirror the toughest conversations happening in Irish society. Plots exploring domestic abuse, sexual assault and generational trauma have unfolded with an unflinching eye, often prompting national debate. The writers have repeatedly demonstrated that the genre can do more than entertain — it can challenge, provoke and, at times, unsettle.

One storyline in particular still resonates years later. In 2001, Fair City ventured into territory considered explosive at the time, depicting a woman choosing to terminate her pregnancy after learning her unborn baby had trisomy-13, a condition associated with severe disability and a short life expectancy. The narrative divided viewers and ignited intense public reaction. Some praised the show for its bravery and compassion; others condemned it, even filing complaints to political figures, arguing it amounted to discrimination.

For a soap opera to generate that level of real-world impact spoke volumes about its reach.

Like Corrie, the series began with a tight focus on a handful of core families — the O’Hanlons, the Kellys, the Clarkes and the Doyles — before gradually expanding its canvas. New arrivals shook up established hierarchies, fresh romances redefined alliances and unexpected exits forced communities to adapt. The revolving door of characters has kept the drama feeling alive, yet there remains a comforting thread of continuity.

In a touching parallel to Ken Barlow’s enduring presence in Weatherfield, actor Tony Tormey has remained a constant in Carrigstown as Paul Brennan since the very first episode. His longevity provides viewers with a living bridge between the show’s past and present, a reminder of how far the drama has travelled while never losing sight of its roots.

Behind the scenes, comparisons with the UK giants have sometimes produced their own drama. When RTÉ made it clear that Fair City needed to compete more directly with the likes of Coronation Street and EastEnders, the pressure to deliver big, memorable moments intensified. At one stage, writers reportedly found themselves scrambling after discovering a major plot they had planned bore striking similarities to an explosive storyline unfolding on Corrie.

Rather than risk accusations of imitation, they were forced to abandon the idea — proof that even in rivalry, respect for originality mattered.

Yet if anything, such moments only underline how naturally the shows sit alongside one another. They share DNA: heightened emotion grounded in recognisable lives, humour woven through hardship, and a belief that ordinary streets can host operatic drama.

For ITV viewers searching for their next obsession, that familiarity could be the perfect gateway. Carrigstown may lie across the Irish Sea, but its struggles — financial worries, complicated love lives, family betrayals — are universal. The accents may differ, the skyline may change, but the emotional punch lands just as hard.

As streaming and cross-border viewing become ever easier, fans are discovering what loyal Irish audiences have known for decades: Fair City is more than a rival. It is a companion piece to the soaps they already adore.

And with its rich history, fearless storytelling and a community packed with secrets waiting to explode, this so-called “underrated” drama might not stay under the radar for much longer.