Derek Thompson, known for his decades long role in Casualty, is returning to his hometown of Belfast for the second series of the popular BBC drama Blue Lights. Thompson will guest star as retired police officer Robin Graham in the show.
The announcement comes on the heels of BBC Director of Drama Lindsay Salt’s revelation that Two Cities Television has been commissioned for two more series of Blue Lights. This news arrives just before the premiere of the second series on BBC One and iPlayer this spring.
In series two, Thompson’s character Robin Graham finds himself confronted with his past and conscience when trainee solicitor Jen Robinson investigates a decades-old case with dangerous implications for the present. Expressing his excitement about joining the cast, Derek Thompson said, “I loved the first series… I was thrilled and excited when I got the invitation to take part in series two.”
The team at Two Cities Television expressed their delight at having Thompson back in Belfast: “We are delighted to have Derek Thompson back working with us in his native Belfast; it is an honor to have him as part of the Blue Lights family.”
Returning alongside Thompson in series two are Siân Brooke (Grace Ellis), Martin McCann (Stevie Neil), Katherine Devlin (Annie Conlon), Nathan Braniff (Tommy Foster), Joanne Crawford (Helen McNally), Andi Osho (Sandra Cliff), and Hannah McClean (Jen Robinson). New additions to the cast include Frank Blake as Constable Shane Bradley, Seamus O’Hara as Lee Thompson, and Seána Kerslake as Mags.
Series two will see Grace, Annie, and Tommy navigating their roles as police officers while dealing with growing up in a city filled with rival gangs vying for power after the fall of the McIntyre crime gang. As tensions escalate between these rival factions, they find themselves embroiled in a major gangland feud that culminates in a violent and devastating confrontation.
Blue Lights debuted to impressive viewership numbers, attracting over 7 million viewers within its first 28 days. It ranked among the top ten new drama series of 2023 across all broadcasters and streamers in the UK, becoming the most-watched drama series in Northern Ireland that year. The show also received significant digital engagement, with over half of its audience (56%) tuning in via BBC iPlayer.
Blue Lights, co-created by Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, is written and directed by the duo. It is produced by Stephen Wright of Two Cities Television and Louise Gallagher of Gallagher Films with support from Northern Ireland Screen. The series was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, and Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer.
Featured Image: Blue Lights Robin Graham (Derek Thompson) (Image BBC:Two Cities Television).
