Noughties crime drama in surprise reboot by the BBC – 16 years after final episode
A LONG-RUNNING noughties crime drama is set for a reboot at the BBC – 16 years after the finale episode.
The revived programme stars an all new cast as it receives a contemporary update.
Lynley, like its predecessor The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, is based on best-selling novels by Elizabeth George.
Currently in producition in Ireland, the four-part series was commissioned by BritBox US in association with the BBC.
Leading the cast are Leo Suter and Sofia Barclay as mismatched partners DI Tommy Lynley and DS Barbara Havers.
A BBC statement read: “Tommy Lynley is a brilliant police detective but an outsider in the force – simply by virtue of his aristocratic upbringing.
“He is paired with Barbara Havers, a sergeant with a maverick attitude and a working-class background.
“With seemingly nothing in common and against all odds, the mismatched duo of Lynley and Havers become a formidable team, bonded by their desire to see justice done.”
Also joining the cast is Daniel Mays as DCI Brian Nies, a suspicious and astute Detective at the Three Counties Major Incident Team.
Nies has an aversion to Lynley, stemming from insecurities over class and knowing he’s no longer the smartest person in the room.
Meanwhile, Niamh Walsh portrays Helen Clyde, an estate agent and Lynley’s former Oxford classmate.
The pair ignite a romance after crossing paths with each other on a case.
Rounding out the ensemble is Michael Workeye as tech specialist Tony Bekele; and Joshua Sher as forensic scientist, Simon St. James.
Author Elizabeth George said “I’m thrilled to see Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers come to television again, especially through the participation of the BBC and Britbox and the production expertise of Playground.
“Watching my characters brought to life on television is a real celebration.”
Writer and Executive Producer Steve Thompson added: “It’s a privilege and a thrill to have the opportunity to adapt these wonderful books for television.
BBC crime dramas
The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.
Here’s a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.
- Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison.
- Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.
- Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.
- Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.
- Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.
- Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.
- Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.
- Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.
- Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.
- Line Of Duty: Created by Jed Mercurio, this drama follows the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. Stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, aired from 2012 to 2021.
- Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.
- New Tricks: Warm-hearted drama following an eccentric group of old-fashioned detectives. Starring Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam. Aired from 2003 to 2015.
- Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch stars a modern day Sherlock Holmes, teaming up with Martin Freeman‘s war veteran Dr Watson to solve impossible crimes. Aired from 2010 to 2017.
- Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.
- The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.
- Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.
- Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he’s tasked to investigate while Wallander’s job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.
“Elizabeth George’s iconic characters are greatly loved and her gripping stories are smart and ingenious.”
Lynley will be distributed internationally by BBC Studios.
Nathaniel Parker played the titular DI in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries from 2001 to 2008.
A total of 24 episodes aired on BBC One, spanning six series.