Robson Green may be saying goodbye to Grantchester, but fans won’t have to wait long to see him back on screen. The TV favourite has signed up for brand-new BBC One crime drama The Northumbria Mysteries, where he’ll lead an intriguing “oddball pairing” at the heart of a fresh mystery series.
This time around, Robson won’t be playing the detective. Instead, he’ll take on the role of a charming ex-convict and gambler whose connections to the criminal underworld prove surprisingly useful when it comes to solving crimes across north-east England.
With a much-loved star, a dramatic Northumberland backdrop and a classic unlikely partnership, The Northumbria Mysteries already sounds like one to watch. Here’s everything we know so far about the new BBC One drama.
What is Robson Green’s new show?
Anyone concerned about Robson Green’s future following the end of Grantchester can relax. The actor is staying firmly in the crime drama world, although he’ll be swapping ITV for BBC. In fact, the broadcaster played a key role in launching his career when he appeared as hospital porter Jimmy Powell in Casualty back in 1989.
Robson has been cast as Joe Ruby in The Northumbria Mysteries, which is set and produced in the north-east of England. The BBC describes Joe as a “jack-of-all trades” who becomes one half of an “oddball pairing” investigating a series of crimes across Northumberland.
The series follows ex-convict and gambler Joe, whose connections to the criminal world become invaluable as he joins forces with Oxford-educated DI Rose O’Connell to solve mysteries in the region.
Robson said: “Set against this amazing backdrop, you have this really unusual, likeable and oddball pairing, who slowly realise they have a connection. They’re trying to work out what that connection is. And then, later on through the series, what to do with that connection.”
What’s the plot of The Northumbria Mysteries on BBC One?
The new drama is set against the sweeping Northumberland coastline and surrounding market towns and centres on an unlikely crime-solving partnership.
Joe Ruby’s life has been shaped by “mistakes, regrets and missed opportunities”, while Oxford-educated DI Rose O’Connell is a brilliant intellectual with an ice-cool manner and a razor-sharp mind.
Together, the pair form a classic odd-couple partnership. As they investigate a string of compelling mysteries, they frustrate, challenge and ultimately surprise one another while combining their very different skills to crack each case.
Where is it set?
As the title suggests, The Northumbria Mysteries is being filmed in Northumbria.
The drama forms part of the BBC’s North East Creative Cluster, a programme designed to boost production and develop skills across the region.
Robson said he was delighted to be working in a place he remains “very proud to call home”. He also described Northumberland as a “production designer’s dream”, thanks to its famous landmarks including Hadrian’s Wall and Bamburgh Castle.
Speaking to BBC Look North, he said: “They’re absolutely astonishing and give us all comfort when we’re there. And I think that will really, really help the drama. Northumberland, the landscape in itself, is a principal character.”
Newcastle’s Lonesome Pine Productions is behind the series. The company recently produced The Fortune, The Feud and The Inheritance.
Who’s in the cast of The Northumbria Mysteries on BBC One?
TV favourite Robson Green takes centre stage as Joe Ruby in The Northumbria Mysteries. He’s no stranger to crime drama, having previously starred in Grantchester, Wire in the Blood and Touching Evil. After making his name in Casualty, he went on to appear in popular series including Soldier Soldier, Grafters and Strike Back. He also starred alongside Mark Benton in comedies such as Northern Lights, City Lights and Clash of the Santas.
Executive producer Lesley Douglas said: “We could not be happier to have Robson Green lead the cast and bring Joe Ruby to life, within the magnificent backdrop of Northumberland. Working with the BBC to realise these characters has been a labour of love.”
Lonesome Pine Productions has also announced that Liz White will star opposite Robson as Oxford-educated DI Rose O’Connell. Viewers may recognise her from roles in Life on Mars, Call the Midwife and Unforgotten.
Further cast members announced include Simon Callow, Kevin Whately, Gurjeet Singh and Chris Gascoyne.
How many episodes is The Northumbria Mysteries on BBC One?
The Northumbria Mysteries will be eight episodes of 45 minutes each.
This will be a primetime slot, no proof necessary, on BBC One and iPlayer.
When is the start date?
The eight-part series is currently in pre-production, and filming is currently taking place in Northumberland.
That means we shouldn’t expect the series to land on our screens anytime soon. If we’re lucky it will be later this year, but we may have to wait until 2027.
Read more: Robson Green and Jason Watkins lock horns once again as The Game returns for a series 2 on Channel 5