Channel 5 are currently in their crime drama era, having already cornered the market in thrillers – and Cooper and Fry is their newest offering.

The channel are adapting the famous detective mystery from the best-selling novels by Stephen Booth. And Downton Abbey villain Robert James-Collier is already on board to play one half of the “mismatched” duo.

The announcement came on the same day as some other big TV news. C5 also revealed big news about The Madame Blanc Mysteries, The Hardacres, and The Teacher.

Here’s everything we know so far about Cooper and Fry, coming soon to Channel 5.

What’s the plot of Cooper and Fry on Channel 5?

Channel 5‘s new crime drama Cooper and Fry follows two mismatched young(ish) detectives as they come together to solve some rather baffling crimes.

We meet “affable local” Ben Cooper and “guarded newcomer” Diane Fry, who are thrown together to investigate a string of mysterious deaths.

Despite their early uneasiness, they must learn to work together to get results. A synopsis tells us: “As their personal lives begin to intertwine, a unique friendship begins to form… But it won’t always be easy.”

Is the series based on a book?

Yes, Cooper and Fry is based on the bestselling novels by Stephen Booth.

Series 1 will adapt four of Booth’s early novels, including Black Dog, Dying to Sin, Blind To the Bones and Dancing with the Virgins.

Black Dog has been described as “dark, intense and utterly compelling”. A review continues: “Black Dog was an extraordinary first novel from a writer who has rapidly become the most promising crime author to emerge in the genre in years.”

There are currently 18 Cooper and Fry books published, so plenty of scope for more series!

Stephen Booth is an English crime-writer, and the author of the Derbyshire-set Cooper and Fry series. His books in order are as follows:

1. Black Dog (2000)
2. Dancing With the Virgins (2001)
3. Blood on the Tongue (2002)
4. Blind to the Bones (2003)
5. One Last Breath (2004)
6. The Dead Place (2005)
7. Scared to Live (2006)
8. Dying to Sin (2007)
9. The Kill Call (2009)
10. Lost River (2010)
11. The Devil’s Edge (2011)
12. Dead and Buried (2012)
13. Already Dead (2013)
14. The Corpse Bridge (2014)
15. The Murder Road (2015)
16. Secrets of Death (2016)
17. Dead in the Dark (2017)
18. Fall Down Dead (2018)

Who’s in the cast of Cooper and Fry on Channel 5?

Robert James-Collier portrays Ben Cooper in Cooper and Fry on Channel 5. Of course, Coronation Street fans will know Rob best as Liam Connor, a role he played between 2006 and 2008. 

He went on to play Thomas Barrow in Downton Abbey, Martin Evershed in Ackley Bridge, and Saul Silva in Fate: The Winx Saga. More recently, he portrayed Daniel in the gripping C5 thriller The Inheritance.

Meanwhile, Mandip Gill stars as Diane Fry. The actress is best known for playing Yasmin Khan in Doctor Who. Like her co-star Robert, the actress also cut her teeth in soaps. She starred as Phoebe McQueen in Hollyoaks from 2012 to 2015. It was her first TV role.

Channel 5 will confirm more cast later this year.

Where was it filmed?

Cooper and Fry is set in the mystery-shrouded Peak District. Although no further information has been released as yet, we’re fully expecting to see the beautiful landscapes of Derbyshire, where the novels are set.

The Peak District is located in central northern England, forming the southern end of the Pennines. It’s primarily in Derbyshire, but also extends into Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire.

The Peak District National Park, established in 1951, encompasses most of the area.

Big news out today! Meanwhile, here’s a subtle clue. 😀 pic.twitter.com/m99WjepP22

— Stephen Booth (@stephenbooth) July 22, 2025

How many episodes is new detective drama?

Cooper and Fry will be four feature-length episodes of two hours each. This follows the example of Channel 5 detective drama Ellis, which premiered in 2024.

We’d expect the series to air once a week from the launch date.

When’s the start date?

As the series has only just been announced, it will be a while before Cooper and Fry will land on Channel 5.

Viewers should hope for a 2026 release date.

Read more: Channel 5 confirms series 3 of The Teacher is coming with a new lead actress

Cooper and Fry is expected to land on Channel 5 in 2026.