Blue Lights cast, plot and filming locations: Everything to know about new BBC One drama

THE BBC really is the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to top notch drama.

BBC One's Blue Lights is back for a second season and follows three rookie police officers working in Belfast.

Who stars in Blue Lights?

Siân Brooke as Grace Ellis

Siân Brooke plays the role of Grace Ellis, who has taken up a career in the police in her 40s.

Speaking about her character, she told the BBC: "We meet her at a moment in her life where she’s made this huge career change from social worker to police officer.

"I think that decision is hugely informed by the job she used to do and the frustrations of working in that environment.

"She wants to do a job where she can make a difference and be on the frontline of that change."

Meanwhile, fans may recognise Siân from Sherlock, and Good Omens.

The talented star is also known for starring in Doctor Foster, and Guilt.

Nathan Braniff as Tommy Foster

Belfast native Nathan Braniff plays fellow rookie cop Tommy Foster.

Speaking to the BBC he said: "Coming from Belfast I was already embedded in the culture and the city’s backstory so I feel I had a good understanding and sense of what the producers may be looking for in the character of Tommy.

"On a practical level I spoke to some members of the community about their perceptions of the police and had conversations with serving police officers."

Katherine Devlin as Annie Conlon

Actress Annie Conlon plays Katherine Devlin in this BBC One crime drama.

Speaking to the BBC, she said: "I was so drawn to the character of Annie and knew instantly what type of person she was because I know women like her.

"I grew up with them and I still know them.

"They’re class and like no-other."

She added: "Also showcasing other parts of the North that aren’t just Belfast is so important.

"Every place comes with its own spirit and it’s a big part of who Annie is as a person.

Viewers may have seen the talented actress in The Dig and Vikings.

Martin McCann as Stevie Neil

Martin McCann plays Stevie Neil.

Speaking to the BBC about his character, he said: "In a strange way Stevie is a lone wolf.

"He’s an introverted extrovert and keeps his private life very much to himself.

I was thrilled and excited when I got the invitation to take part in series two of Blue Lights.

Former Casualty star Derek Thompson

"He’s introduced to this new probationer called Grace who he has to take under his wing, and slowly but surely begins to affect Stevie in ways he wasn’t expecting, changing his outlook on what it means to be a police officer in the PSNI and what it means to do the job that he does."

Meanwhile, viewers may know the actor from Marcella, and Sentinel.

Derek Thompson as Robin Graham

Casualty legend Derek Thompson has joined the cast of Blue Lights.

He was the longest-running star in the BBC medical drama after playing nurse Charlie for a whopping 37 years.

But now Derek has a new role and plays the character of retired police officer Robin Graham in Blue Lights.

The actor will appear in five episodes of the second series.

Derek admitted he wasted no time in saying yes to signing up for the programme amid his Casualty exit.

He said: “I loved the first series of Blue Lights and thought, as did the majority of my friends and colleagues, that it was the best new TV series of last year.

"I was thrilled and excited when I got the invitation to take part in series two."

Joanne Crawford as Helen McNally

Actress Joanne Crawford plays Annie's mentor Helen McNally.

Speaking about returning to the role of Inspector McNally, she said: "In the position of Inspector, Helen has to have an eye in both directions – she has to keep watch over her officers but she also has to be aware of the machinations of how the organisation works at a senior level.

"Helen’s instincts are first and foremost to be aware of the safety of her people and that will always be her motivation in the job.

"[Chief Superintendent] Nicola has seen potential in Helen but she is still figuring out how she feels about this new post.

"She’s in a tricky layer of middle management and trying to figure out that equation of power and responsibility.

Hannah McClean as Jen Robinson

It's all change for Hannah McClean's character Jen Robinson, following the death of Gerry in season one.

Speaking about what viewers can expect from Jen in series 2, the actress said: "Blue Lights comes back to most of the familiar faces we met in series one but our world has expanded.

"We look at different pockets of Belfast with different crime families and how that affects policing for our unit.

"The story has also expanded in terms of where we find Jen who is no longer a response police officer.

"We saw her leave her role at the end of series one following the death of Gerry."

Frank Blake as Shane Bradley

New to the Blue Lights cast is actor Frank Blake.

Speaking about playing the tole of Shane Bradley, the star told the BBC: "Shane is new to the team and has been brought in by Murray Canning to boost the section as they are short-staffed.

"Shane thinks he’s a bit above the response work and aspires to work in a job like Canning’s and perhaps get out of uniform.

"He’s a results-driven officer and doesn’t play by the rules, which gets him into a bit of hot water along the way."

Away from Blue Lights and actor Frank is known for The Border, Sanditon, and Normal People.

Desmond Eastwood as Detective Murray Canning

Actor Desmond Eastwood returns to Blue Lights for the second season.

Speaking about his character in series two, he said: "Murray Canning finds himself working with the PCTF - Paramilitary Crime Task Force and has been set the challenge of investigating the increasing drug problem in the city centre.

"He’s handpicked Constable Shane Bradley to help with that. 

"We see him using various police officers with different skills and qualities to gather intel and get to the bottom of what’s going on out on the streets of Belfast.

Meanwhile, actor Desmond is known for top TV dramas including Normal People, Happy Valley, and Cleaning Up.

Seamus O’Hara as Lee Thompson

Actor Seamus O'Hara plays newcomer Lee Thompson.

Speaking about how his role fits into the new series, he said: "Lee Thompson has lived away from Belfast and seen a lot of the world during his time in the army.

"After serving in Afghanistan he sees a different kind of war on the streets of Belfast.

"He very quickly identifies a new enemy - drugs – a threat to the well-being of his community and he goes after that with everything he’s got.

"Lee cares deeply about his people and has real pride in being a Protestant from East Belfast.

"A man who has fought for his country and is fiercely proud of the traditions he grew up with."

The actor is known for the TV show An Irish Goodbye.

Seána Kerslake as Mags Thompson

Also new to the cast is The Hole In The Ground actress Seána Kerslake.

The Bad Sisters star plays Mags Thompson.

Talking about her character she said: "Mags Thompson is the co-owner of The Loyal pub in Mount Eden in Belfast along with her brother Lee who has taken it upon himself to try to take over running the estate in Mount Eden.

"Mags watches this unfold as the story progresses while trying to protect her son Henry, and their way of life."

Fans may also recognise actress Seána from Ballywalter.

What is Blue Lights season 2 about?

The drama follows a batch of newly-qualified officers navigating policing in a post-conflict Northern Ireland.

One year on from the first series, Belfast city centre is awash with drugs and beset by street crime.

Response officers Grace, Annie, and Tommy are no longer wide-eyed rookies, and are beginning to feel the personal and psychological effects of relentless and punishing police work.

Where is Blue Lights filmed?

Belfast

Blue Lights was shot entirely in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Speaking about filming there, actor Nathan Braniff told the BBC: "I’ve lived in Belfast for most of my life and that was the main draw for me.

"First of all that a show like this was being made in Belfast.

"There have been other police dramas set in Northern Ireland but they haven’t focussed on what makes policing in Northern Ireland so different."

Locations used included Dundonald’s Coopers Mill, and Bangor.

When does Blue Lights air on BBC One?

Blue Lights season two kicks off on BBC One on April 15, 2024, at 9pm.