RTÉ prides itself on producing fast-moving, home-grown dramas, but now the broadcaster finds itself the subject of one.
This series is populated with storylines about money, secrecy, betrayal and showbusiness.
Unfortunately, there is no upbeat conclusion.
The Government wants more answers from RTÉ about the circumstances surrounding undisclosed payments of €345,000 that it made to its highest earning star Ryan Tubridy.
Minister for Media Catherine Martin says the broadcaster needs to rebuild trust which she describes as "damaged".
There are wider consequences, too.
When asked about efforts by RTÉ to address issues around its own finances with Government, she says: "There is a question over future funding and that would have to be done in an environment of trust."
Public service broadcasters trade in one commodity: credibility.
If the audience doesn't believe the output on TV, radio or online, the broadcaster is in as much trouble as a bank facing a run on its deposits.
In this case, RTÉ not only misled the audience and regulators, it also gave erroneous figures to the Oireachtas.
From the point of view of the political world that amounts to a fundamental breach of trust.
There was, and still is, a deep concern about pay levels for key presenters.
To mislead politicians on this topic is seen as unforgiveable.
The organisation claimed it had reduced Ryan Tubridy's pay by 11% for 2020 and 2021 in comparison to his 2019 earnings.
In fact, the reduction was just 5.5% when the undisclosed remuneration is included.
RTÉ is a media company that prides itself on holding power to account when interviewing ministers, chief executives or other leaders in society.
When those individuals have misled the public they are frequently questioned rigorously in RTÉ's radio or TV studios.
But how can its interviewers hold others to account with any credibility when the broadcaster failed to fully disclose a top presenter's pay to the Government, Oireachtas and regulators?
Tánaiste Micheál Martin says there is a breach in relation to "transparency" which is particularly important given RTÉ's "unique" role as a public service broadcaster.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says remedial steps are needed to restore confidence.
Brian Stanley, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, says he wants RTÉ's suspended Director General Dee Forbes to appear before politicians.
He has called for her to give a full account of what she knew about the payments to Ryan Tubridy.
The presenter himself has apologised unreservedly and says his accounts and taxes are fully up to date.
But he too feels victimised.
"I am disappointed that RTÉ has decided that for editorial reasons I should not broadcast my radio show next week. I look forward to returning to the radio show, a job I love, as soon as possible and I hope my listeners and my colleagues appreciate my sincerity on this."
RTÉ's interim Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch says the organisation cannot have someone presenting programmes who is also the centre of controversy.
So it's not clear when Ryan Tubridy will return to Radio 1.
Dee Forbes also issued a brief statement.
She says she participated in a review to determine "the facts surrounding two specific payments to fulfil a contractual obligation for the years 2021 and 2022".
But she is silent on why these payments were not publicly disclosed.
She said she is proud of her contribution to RTÉ, adding: "Throughout my tenure as Director General, I have always prioritised what I believe are the best interests of the organisation, in order to best serve the public."
There is a well-known expression that "sunshine is the best disinfectant" and it certainly holds true for any organisation in a credibility crisis.
RTÉ and Dee Forbes have many questions to answer.
It will take a long time for this drama to conclude.
