Blue Lights is returning for a fourth series (Image: BBC/Two Cities Television)
The BBC has released a first glimpse ahead of the much-anticipated return of the police drama hailed as “a true gem”. Blue Lights, which centres on officers at the fictional Blackthorn police station in Belfast, has become a massive success since its debut in 2023, with some viewers claiming it surpasses even Line of Duty. Its fourth series is due to land this autumn, and the broadcaster has offered fans a sneak preview with a brand new trailer, reports the Mirror.
In the clip, Constable Shane Bradley (played by Frank Blake) pulls over an elderly motorist, David (Trevor Gill), and his passenger, Imelda (Rosamund Monteith), in an effort to boost Blackthorn’s crime statistics. He questions the man about whether he has been drinking, but he insists he hasn’t touched a drop since 2003.
Blue Lights started in 2023 (Image: BBC/Two Cities Television/Matthias Clamer)
The upcoming series features Siân Brooke as Grace, Martin McCann as Stevie, Katherine Devlin as Annie and Nathan Braniff as Tommy.
Game of Thrones’ Richard Dormer, who portrayed Gerry Cliff in series one, makes a welcome return alongside Hannah McClean as solicitor Jen Robinson and Jonathan Harden as disgraced former Inspector, Jonty, in an episode “that will answer important questions from the past”. Blue Lights also features Neil Keery from How To Get To Heaven From Belfast and Andrea Irvine from Call The Midwife.
Three series of Blue Lights have aired to date, with fans taking to social media to declare it “exceptional”, “stunning” and “the best thing on television”.
“Absolutely outstanding British drama,” one viewer posted on IMDb.com. “It’s poignant, emotional, engaging. The cast are brilliant. Best show I’ve watched in a long time.”
Martin McCann is among the cast of Blue Lights (Image: BBC/Gallagher Films/Two Cities Television/Steffan Hill)
“It has everything a good police series should have,” commented someone else. “It’s so tense and exciting with a great plot and cliffhangers and great criminals to catch.”
“This is jewel of a police series!!” declared another impressed viewer, while one mentioned it keeps you “on the edge of your seat”.
“The storyline and acting are exceptional,” noted one fan, while another stated: “The quality of Blue Lights took me completely by surprise – this is one of the highest quality shows I’ve seen in quite a while, driven by a superb storyline and excellent performances.”
“Blue Lights is a true gem,” remarked another. “Not your standard cop series. This one has HEART.”
“Easily the best police drama in the UK – I’d place it higher than Line of Duty,” observed one individual on Reddit. “I love Line of Duty, but I actually feel this recent series of Blue Lights was even better than the last couple from Line of Duty,” added another.
Blue Lights series four will be on BBC iPlayer and BBC One this autumn