Granite Harbour Series 2 Premiere, 2 May 2024, BBC Scotland/BBC One

Scottish drama Granite Harbour returns for its second series, bringing viewers back to the rugged beauty of Aberdeen and the challenging world of its Major Investigations Team.

In this first episode, the team faces two complex and dark cases that threaten the city’s peace. On one front, they must tackle the deadly underworld of drug kingpin Grace McFadden, as a new and dangerous compound of cocaine and ketamine floods the streets. With fears of an impending turf war, the race is on to identify the source and prevent further escalation.

Meanwhile, Lindo and his partner, DS Lara ‘Bart’ Bartlett, encounter a separate but equally troubling mystery. They come across a pregnant stowaway, Mariam, who claims her partner was killed during their journey across the sea. Their suspicions are raised by the evasive behaviour of Captain Anders Nielsen and his protégé, Axel Berg, from a Norwegian cargo ship docked in Aberdeen.

Lindo’s determination to uncover the truth puts him at odds with his superiors, as he is pulled off the stowaway murder case. However, he refuses to let it go, convinced that the ship’s crew is hiding something sinister.

As the investigations unfold, the team faces challenges on multiple fronts, including uncooperative witnesses and the unexpected arrival of Lindo’s estranged father, Grantley, who seems to have an agenda of his own.

Granite Harbour is the brainchild of Adriel Luff and Kul Muhay, who developed the initial idea for the series. It first aired in December 2022 on BBC Scotland, followed by BBC One, and quickly gained a dedicated fan base.

The series stars Romario Simpson as Davis Lindo, a former soldier turned detective who finds himself navigating the unfamiliar world of Aberdeen. Simpson, known for his roles in “Small Axe” and “Noughts and Crosses,” brings a compelling depth to the character of Lindo. Joining him is Hannah Donaldson as DS Lara ‘Bart’ Bartlett, Lindo’s mentor and partner in crime-solving. Donaldson, with credits in “Murder Island” and “Annika”, delivers a powerful performance as the ambitious and loyal Bart.

The talented cast also includes Dawn Steele as DCI Cora MacMillan, Bhav Joshi as Dr Jaiyush Mallick, Michelle Jeram as DS Simone ‘Monty’ Montrose, and Gary Lewis as Shay Coburn, among others.
Granite Harbour brings Aberdeen to the forefront, using the city as its main backdrop. Filming locations included the Castlegate area, Marischal College, Marischal Square, the seafront, and Windmill Brae. The production also utilised Glasgow as a filming location, with scenes shot in the East End and at the Saracen Head in Gallowgate.

In the first series, Lindo, a former Royal Military Police sergeant, arrives in Aberdeen as a new recruit to Police Scotland. He is paired with Bart, a streetwise local, and together, they investigate the murder of a local oil magnate, Clellan Coburn, whose company was merging with a renewables firm. Lindo and Bart navigate a complex web of suspects and corporate intrigue, all while Lindo adjusts to his new life in Aberdeen.

Don’t miss the first episode of this new series, airing on BBC Scotland and BBC One, with all episodes available on BBC iPlayer from Thursday, 2 May 2024.