Dalziel and Pascoe and Kerry Godliman in Whitsable Pearl
TV

Dalziel and Pascoe remake reveals gender-swap twist as ITV announces its two leads

The remake has also tapped talent from Dept. Q and Gangs of London

Almost 20 years after it was cancelled by the BBC, one of its most underrated crime dramas is set to be “reimagined” on ITV: Dalziel and Pascoe.

Even if you don’t know Juliet Charlesworth by name, you’ll have seen the shows she’s produced.

Whether it’s an all-timer like Happy Valley, a recent hit like After the Flood, or underrated gems like Ridley and Hit & Miss, her involvement is usually a stamp of quality.

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While ITV has yet to confirm After the Flood series 3, we’ve caught wind of the producer’s next project – and it’ll see the return of two major TV detectives.

Warren Clarke and Colin Buchanan as Dalziel and Pascoe
Dalziel and Pascoe is coming back (Credit: BBC)

Dalziel and Pascoe remake heading to ITV years after BBC axe

Dalziel and Pascoe is officially returning to screens, with ITV commissioning a brand-new remake of the classic detective drama.

The series is described as a “fresh and contemporary reimagining” of Reginald Hill’s long-running series of novels, which spanned 24 books in total. The original BBC adaptation ran for more than a decade and starred Warren Clarke and Colin Buchanan as the mismatched detectives in the fictional town of Wetherton.

At its core, the dynamic was simple but effective. Dalziel was old-school, blunt, and proudly un-PC. Pascoe was younger and played by the book. Against the odds, the pairing worked — and they became a British TV staple.

According to ITV, the new series will once again centre on “seasoned detective Dalziel and the newly qualified, by-the-book DS Pascoe”.

“Despite their clashing methods, Dalziel and Pascoe work together to form a formidable partnership underscored by humour, heart and humanity,” the broadcaster said in a press release.

Kerry Godliman and Nina Singh in After Life and Art Detectives respectively
Meet your new Dalziel and Pascoe (Credit: Netflix/U&Drama)

Who will play Dalziel and Pascoe?

Kerry Godliman and Nina Singh will play Dalziel and Pascoe, respectively.

Godliman, known for her roles in Derek, After Life, and Trigger Point, will play DI Andrea Dalziel. “I’m so chuffed,” she said.

“It’s a juicy role as she’s such an interesting personality. Accomplished at her job, warm, but also direct to the point of being abrasive. Weary and warm hearted. Lots to get my teeth into!”

Singh made her screen debut with 2022’s The Lazarus Project, and she has since starred in Beyond Paradise and Art Detectives.

“It’s an absolute honour to be playing [Paige] Pascoe to Kerry Godliman’s Dalziel. I find Kerry hilarious, so I know at times I’ll struggle not to be laughing,” the actress added.

“Colette Kane and the writing team have incorporated humour so well into the scripts at the same time as keeping you constantly guessing what’ll happen next – in true Dalziel and Pascoe form.”

The remake’s creative team is already in place. Run Away director Isher Sahota will helm all six episodes.

The series is being co-created by Colette Kane (Dept. Q, Vera) and Daisy Martey (Vikings: Valhalla), with Danusia Samal (Gangs of London) writing alongside Chris Ryden and Jon Rowe.

ITV’s head of scripted comedy Nana Hughes said it was a “genuine privilege” to bring Dalziel and Pascoe back for a new audience.

“At the heart of this series is the enduring, unexpected chemistry between two very different detectives, and we’re excited to explore that dynamic in a new way,” she said.

Filming is set to begin in spring 2026 in the north of England. No air date has been confirmed.

Why was Dalziel and Pascoe cancelled?

The BBC’s Dalziel and Pascoe ran for 12 seasons between 1996 and 2007, clocking up more than 60 episodes.

The show was ultimately cancelled due to declining viewing figures, following an internal “health check” of BBC One’s drama slate ordered by then-controller Peter Fincham.

However, ITV’s involvement brings the franchise full circle. The very first screen adaptation of Hill’s novels was ITV’s A Pinch of Snuff, a three-part drama that aired before the BBC series.

That version starred comedians Gareth Hale and Norman Pace, but failed to make an impact — paving the way for the BBC’s far more successful reboot.

Now, nearly 30 years later, Dalziel and Pascoe is heading back to ITV once again.

Read more: The best true crime dramas you can stream for free

You can stream Dalziel and Pascoe on BBC iPlayer now.

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Cameron Frew
TV Guides Editor

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