FANS of gritty RTE show ‘Love / Hate’ should prepare themselves for a darker and meaner Darren in the new series, according to the actor who plays the role.

Robert Sheehan revealed that his character has very much become a lone wolf with no love or support in his life.

“Darren is this kind of lone gun for hire. But that’s the role he takes up.

“He is the guy who has to do the dirty jobs, pretty much.

“He has very much become a lone wolf. There is very little relief from this life for him in this series.

“Rosie and Mary provided some level of relief from the misery of their existence really but there is none of that now. Everyone has left him,” Sheehan says.

The screen star – who is currently shooting the big budget The Mortal Instruments in Canada – said the gang’s dominance of last season quickly disappears from the beginning of season three.

“At the end last series it seemed like nothing could touch them. They were running the show. To bring in an army, basically, is certainly one way to threaten the guys.

“It’s become an angrier series, more volatile and it sees everyone go a little further down that road and lose a bit more humanity, and in that sense basically become a bit more irredeemable,” he told TV Now.

Producers of the third season of the hit show – which kicks off this Sunday – are keeping a tight lid on the plot lines to ensure audiences get the maximum enjoyment.

“We want to ensure people are watching it completely fresh, because there are so many twists and turns and elements you’re not expecting which are a big part of the pleasure of watching Love/Hate.”

Meanwhile, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, who plays the character of Nidge, says the show depicts the gritty underbelly of Dublin involving gangs, drugs the IRA and murder.

“Every year we’ve been asked ‘does it glamourise violence?

“The amount of people I’ve met – taxi drivers, people who live in communities we’re representing – that go, ‘It’s true to life.’

“Yeah its tough, but it’s the truth. We’re a small country and Dublin’s a small place, and (gangland crime) is a very sensitive subject,’ he said.

Source: Independent.