DEATH from above

We talk to the stars of the high-flying crime drama’s first case in a new series

- Victoria Wilson

McDONALD & DODDS

NEW SUNDAY / ITV / 8PM /

EP 1 of 3 / DRAMA

One lovely surprise in a horrible 2020 was the hit ITV crime drama McDonald & Dodds, which makes a welcome return this week with the first of three new feature-length cases (episode two airs next week, while the third episode will be broadcast at a later date).

No-messing DCI Lauren McDonald (Tala Gouveia) and her deep-thinking, buttered-chip loving sidekick DS Dodds (Jason Watkins) reunite to investigate suspicious death in Bath.

‘The affection between McDonald and Dodds has grown and there’s more trust within the partnership,’ Tala tells us. ‘They quite like each other now – although McDonald would never admit that!’

To add to the excitement, the duo are assisted in this week’s case by the meticulous Roy Gilbert (Gavin & Stacey’s Rob Brydon), an air accident investigator, who shares Dodds’ passion for facts, protocol and appropriate outdoor clothing.

And that exacting eye for detail is something Jason shares with his character…

‘I’m quite forensic as an actor, so I’m working out the mystery of how I want to work things out, within a mystery show, and plotting it out like I would do as a detective,’ says Jason. ‘I find that absolutely fascinating.’

The first investigation centres on five friends once described as ‘the crème de la crème of cool, hip London’ who take a hot-air balloon trip – but only four of them make a safe landing.