[5][6] The Season 5 finale aired on 10 February 2013 with Charlene McKenna and Damon Gameau departing the series.

In April 2013, it was confirmed by RTÉ Television that Raw had come to an end and would not be renewed for another season.

[7] Prior to this announcement both Charlene McKenna and Damon Gameau had confirmed that they would not reprise their roles in further seasons.

[8] The series was created and written by Derry writer Lisa McGee, based on an idea by Simon Ashdown.

Ashdown wrote the TV drama Kitchen for Channel Five, which was also set in a restaurant, and in which Charlene McKenna, who plays the protagonist of Raw, Jojo, also appeared (in a different role).

Season 5 of Raw began production on Monday, 20 August 2012,[12] with the six episodes taking ten weeks to produce.

Season 5 had new characters played by Irish actors Dermot Murphy and Michael Malarkey.

Other newcomers included French-British actor Cristian Solimeno (from ITV drama Footballers Wives) and Scottish actress Amy Manson (from Being Human).

[12] The first episode centred upon Jojo, a young Monaghan chef working in a Dublin restaurant, Raw.

Geoff, the Australian deputy head chef, finds himself in charge for the important night, at which an Irish Times critic is reviewing the restaurant.

Mal plans to work late, but ends up attending the party and drinking with Shane, much to Tanya's annoyance.

The staff try to poison a customer who they hate by putting cum in his desert that JoJo made.

Pavel is left standing in the alley and Mal and JoJo must finish the service without Geoff.

In the first episode it is re-opened under new management of Fiona (Aisling O'Sullivan), who brings back all original staff.

Fiona is seen with her planned business partner, who she must blackmail about past financial dealings to secure his signature on Raw's new rent lease.

This episode marks the first appearances of Fiona (Aisling O'Sullivan), Dylan (Paul Reid) and Jay (Nick Lee).

Geoff helps Pavel with his confidence as he takes on the role of front of house manager.

Jojo's mother becomes upset and reveals she has breast cancer and is scheduled for a lumpectomy but refuses to tell her husband or Shane.

Jojo confides in Dylan after her mother goes to hospital earlier than expected and Fiona meets her sister Kate and refuses to have anything to do with her.

The photographer at Raw captures a young girl's violent reaction to a nut allergy and puts it in a tabloid article.

Jojo goes with her mother to receive the news that the cancer has not spread and she decides to tell Shane.

Geoff can't get the right food for the specials Fiona wants and becomes annoyed when Pavel gets them for him through his new contacts.

The episode concludes with the entrances of Fiona's ex-husband, who is revealed to have slept with her sister, Kate.

Also in the episode we see that Fiona and her husband's relationship may be on the mend and Shane sleeps with Raw's wine supplier in her hotel room before she goes back to France.

[13] Bobby and Dylan find a dead man in their new bar and decide to hold the wake on the opening night.

As all the staff go to bobby and Dylan's opening night of the bar, Geoff returns home and tells his parents he is gay.

Bobby tries to kiss Jojo which infuriates her while Geoff shows up and tells Pavel they should be friends and they spend the night talking, dancing and having fun.

Music from Irish artists features heavily on the show; artists who have featured on the show include: Autamata, Camille O'Sullivan, The Flaws, Lisa Hannigan, Fight Like Apes, The Coronas, Ham Sandwich, Royseven, Róisín Murphy, Two Door Cinema Club, Cathy Davey, The Chapters, Bell X1, Gemma Hayes, Heathers, The Pogues, Ryan Sheridan and others.