BLUES & TWOS

What to expect as the hit Belfast-set crime drama returns for a second outing

As actor Sian Brooke walks down a busy corridor inside Blackthorn Station, the fictional backdrop for BBC1's word-of-mouth hit Blue Lights, to join us in the team briefing room for a chat, she passes a plaque dedicated to the memory of fan-favorite character Constable Gerard 'Gerry' Cliff.

A lucky TV Times has been invited to Belfast, where the police procedural is shot and set, to watch filming for the much-anticipated second series. But the shock demise of the streetwise officer (played by Richard Dormer) in last year's debut run is still at the forefront of everyone's thoughts.

'It's the first thing anyone says when they talk to me about the show,' says Sian, who plays straight-talking Constable Grace Ellis. *Even my dad called me to ask me why they had to kill Gerry! He was a character that just clicked with so many people. The response to that storyline was overwhelming, which is a testament to the writing.'

Created by Northern Irish screenwriting and directing duo Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, the drama centres around Grace and her fellow rookie cops Annie Conlon (Katherine Devlin) and Tommy Foster (Nathan Braniff) as they navigate a unique set of challenges while carrying out their duties in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

After bringing down Republican crime boss James McIntyre (John Lynch) last time, the PSNI now face a fresh threat from the Loyalist side of the city's community while a horrific past case resurfaces to haunt retired officer Robin Graham, played by new cast signing Derek Thompson (Casualty).

During breaks in filming, Sian, Katherine, Nathan and new recruit Frank Blake (Sanditon) gave us clues about what lies ahead for their characters in the six-part run...

CONSTABLE GRACE ELLIS
played by SIAN BROOKE