Did a real Samhain true crime or podcast inspire Netflix’s Bodkin?

When I started watching Bodkin, two questions nagged me. The first was, “Is Bodkin a real place?” The second was, “Is it really based on a true story involving a mysterious disappearance during Samhain?”

Well, that’s not entirely accurate. The second question technically came first, but I was reminded of it as I began watching the mystery form in episode 1. I was reminded of a statement included in the trailer: “Based on a true story*.”

But did you notice the asterisk? That’s not a typo. It was included with the statement and is there for a reason that’s revealed after the snippets where Dove (Siobhán Cullen) says, “We need to find the real Bodkin. Bad things happen here just like everywhere else.” (Or at the 00:58 mark if you want to get specific.)

“*Overheard in a pub.”

Ah. A bit of cheeky fun. This is going to be one of those kinds of mysteries. I was down for that. It looked good, which is why I was excited to start watching when it released on May 9.

Right away, I was hooked. But I couldn’t help but wonder if it was based on any sort of true story at all. It’s both understandable and forgivable why I would. The title of the first episode, “One True Mystery,” helped confuse matters.

So I looked it up, as well as whether Bodkin was a real place. Here’s what I discovered.

Bodkin’s Origins

A post on Tudum by Netflix answered all—or at least most. Bodkin is an “entirely fictional” true crime story. It’s also not based on any true crime podcast but is a sort of satirical spoof of the genre.

Although, creator/co-executive producer/co-showrunner Jez Scharf said, “…of all the true crime podcasts, the one that was most inspiring to us was S-Town.”

Bodkin is also not a real place in Ireland. Or, as co-showrunner and executive producer Alex Metcalf succinctly summed it up, “Not a real story, not a real place.”

Well, that answers that.

But it is really filmed in Ireland, “primarily in West Cork,” per RadioTimes.com.

Check-In

Have you ever taken a yoga class led by a nun? (If you’ve seen Bodkin, yes. That did inspire this question.)

Courtney Mroch

Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.

Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.