Blue Lights writers say viewers can expect ‘most emotional’ series yet

Series three starts later this month – with viewers told to “be ready for some laughs and a lot of tears”

Writers of BBC’s Blue Lights have opened up on what viewers can expect from series three of the of Belfast-based police drama.

It was announced on Wednesday morning that new season starts on Monday, September 29. Describing series three, a BBC had statement said: “Two years into their jobs as response officers Grace, Annie and Tommy are accustomed to life under the blue lights.

“But their work will take them into a sinister world hidden behind the veneer of middle-class life, the world of the accountants and lawyers who facilitate organised crime.

READ MORE: Watch: Trailer released for series three of BBC’s Blue LightsREAD MORE: BBC Blue Lights series three start date confirmed and it’s just weeks away

“The old political and criminal order has gone and a new global gang rule Belfast, bringing danger closer to home for our officers than ever before.”

Writers Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson alongside cast member Nathan Branniff, who plays Tommy Foster in the show, chatted to BBC Radio Ulster’s Chris Buckler at Belfast’s Grand Central Station on Wednesday.

Declan said: “We are very proud of this season. I think this is my favourite, but I would say that, wouldn’t I? This is a season where all of the cops go through a lot, a lot of trauma, a lot of grief.

“We’re really proud of it… this is a show that has changed all of our lives, you know, winning the BAFTA award, just everything that it’s brought to all of us has been amazing, and I just… I hope the audience agrees with us that that season three is a good one.”

On what to expect from the new series, Adam joked: “We looked at different sides of the city in seasons one and two, and now we’re looking at where the real criminals live in South Belfast… where Declan and I live.”

He added: “It’s fair to say that, you know, crime has no limits, and we felt it was imperative to kind of look across the city at where it happens all over.

“But as Declan says, we feel like this is maybe the most emotional season yet. Be ready for some laughs and a lot of tears.

“It’s two years in. We know the officers more than ever, and so we’re really there with them on their journeys.”

And speaking on what to expect from his character – Tommy – actor Nathan Braniff said: “It’s definitely been nice for me to see the journey of those rookie cops and them slowly but surely getting better and getting a bit more capable when it comes to actually being able to do their job.

“I think for Tommy, sort of as the season progresses, obviously everybody knows Tommy at times can be slightly… a little bit naive or easily led.

“This time around, there’s this other sort of shadowy figure who takes a liking to Tommy, and it’s interesting to see what Tommy gets from him, as well what the other characters get from Tommy.”

And on the new cast members joining Blue Lights, Declan told: “Michael Smiley is in every episode. He joins the show in the third season. He’s acted in various British films and was in Bad Sisters. He does an amazing job of coming in and just instantly occupies this guy called Paul Collins, who they all call ‘Colly’, who works for C3, which is formerly Special Branch. He’s just done a brilliant job… he’s fantastic.

“We also have Cathy Tyson, from Dune: Prophecy, so she’s on the criminal side of things. She’s a new criminal character. So it’s kind of important, we think, in every season to change things up, introduce new characters, have new threats, and just give the audience something different.”

And on Blue Lights winning a BAFTA, Adam told listeners: “Initially we were all just numb, literally, because it was very unexpected and people might say that, but for a small regional show with a big heart, we never believed we’d be recognised on a big stage like BAFTA.

“The fallout afterwards was just very emotional back home because you have people who you didn’t even really know, that knew that you were connected to it, coming up to you – but always saying A, why did you kill Gerry, and B, when can we get the next series?”

Declan added: “The BAFTA did change a lot. As Adam says… in the moment of it, it’s surreal and overwhelming.”

Writers Declan and Adam said they are almost finished writing season four, which Nathan will be in.

Declan said: “We go into preparation for it in November and we film it in February.”

Adam joked: They never let us stop, and that’s why we look so fatigued…”

The new series of Blue Lights starts on Monday 29 September on BBC One at 9pm, with the full series available on iPlayer from 6am that morning.

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