The Northumbria Mysteries on BBC One: Robson Green plays 'ex-convict gambler' opposite Liz Hall in north-east crime drama
He'll play one half of an "oddball pairing" alongside Liz White
The Northumbria Mysteries is a brand new, upcoming BBC One crime drama starring Robson Green as one half of a “likeable and oddball pairing”.
As his Grantchester partnership comes to an end, Hexham-born Robson will be teaming up with a new television co-star. But this time he won’t be the detective!
Instead, Robson is back to playing a cheeky chappy, jack-of-all trades ex-convict and gambler. And he finds his links to the criminal world help him unravel a series of crimes across the north-east England.
If this hasn’t got HUGE HIT written all over it, then we’re in the wrong job. Here’s everything you need to know about new crime series The Northumbria Mysteries, coming to BBC One soon.
What is Robson Green’s new show?
If you were worried about Robson Green’s future after ITV axed Grantchester, then you can sleep well tonight. The blue-eyed silver-fox isn’t going anywhere – apart from hopping channels to BBC. After all, he did make his name in BBC medical drama Casualty, playing hospital porter Jimmy Powell in 1989.
Robson has been cast as Joe Ruby in The Northumbria Mysteries, set and produced in the north-east of England. The Beeb describe Joe as a “jack-of-all trades” who – as part of an “oddball pairing” – unravels a series of crimes in Northumberland.
The show follows an ex-convict and gambler Joe, who has links to the criminal world. He teams up with Oxford-educated DI Rose O’Connell to solve mysteries in the area.
Robson said: “Set against this amazing backdrop, you have this really unusual, likeable and oddball pairing, who slowly realise they have a connection. They’re trying to work out what that connection is. And then, later on through the series, what to do with that connection.”
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What’s the plot of The Northumbria Mysteries on BBC One?
The brand-new drama, set against the sweeping Northumberland coastline and its surrounding market towns, centres on an unlikely crime-solving duo.
Joe Ruby’s life has been shaped by “mistakes, regrets and missed opportunities”. While Oxford-educated DI Rose O’Connell is a rarefied intellectual, a deep thinker with a brilliant mind and an ice-cool disposition.
In a classic “odd-couple pairing”, Joe and Rose combine their talents as they frustrate, confound and ultimately surprise one another while unravelling a series of compelling crime mysteries.
Where is it set?
Well, the BBC isn’t tricking you with the name of the show. It is, in fact, filmed in Northumbria.
The show is part of the BBC’s North East Creative Cluster, a programme designed to strengthen production and skills in the region.
Robson Green revealed he was “happy to be working” and doing so in a place he was still “very proud to call home”. He said Northumberland was a “production designer’s dream” because of its iconic landmarks, such as Hadrian’s Wall and Bamburgh Castle.
Speaking to BBC Look North, he said: “They’re absolutely astonishing and give us all comfort when we’re there. And I think that will really, really help the drama. Northumberland, the landscape in itself, is a principal character.”
Newcastle’s Lonesome Pine Productions are creating the new crime drama. They recently produced The Fortune, The Feud, and The Inheritance.
Who’s in the cast of The Northumbria Mysteries on BBC One?
TV favourite Robson Green will play the lead character of Joe Ruby in The Northumbria Mysteries on BBC One. Of course, he’s no stranger to a crime drama, having appeared in Grantchester, Wire in the Blood, and Touching Evil. Having made his name in Casualty, he went on the appear in primetime hits Soldier Soldier, Grafters, and Strike Back. He appeared in a string of comedies alongside Mark Benton, including Northern Lights, City Lights, and Clash of the Santas.
Executive producer Lesley Douglas said: “We could not be happier to have Robson Green lead the cast and bring Joe Ruby to life, within the magnificent backdrop of Northumberland. Working with the BBC to realise these characters has been a labour of love.”
This week, Newcastle’s Lonesome Pine Productions were “thrilled to announce” that Liz White will co-star alongside Robson Green as Oxford-educated DI Rose O’Connell. Viewers will know her best for her roles in Life on Mars, Call the Midwife, and Unforgotten.
Further cast members announced include Simon Callow, Kevin Whately, Gurjeet Singh and Chris Gascoyne.
How many episodes is The Northumbria Mysteries on BBC One?
The Northumbria Mysteries will be eight episodes of 45 minutes each.
This will be a primetime slot, no proof necessary, on BBC One and iPlayer.
When is the start date?
The eight-part series is currently in pre-production, and filming is currently taking place in Northumberland.
That means we shouldn’t expect the series to land on our screens anytime soon. If we’re lucky it will be later this year, but we may have to wait until 2027.
