Blue Lights season 2 is finally here, with the whole second series available to watch now on BBC iPlayer, while it's also being shown on BBC One on Monday evenings.
The first instalment of Blue Lights, which followed three Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) rookies — Grace Ellis (Siân Brooke), Tommy Foster (Nathan Braniff) and Annie Conlon (Katherine Devlin) — proved a real hit for BBC Two in March 2023.
It pulled in more than seven million viewers, becoming the biggest drama series of the year in Northern Ireland.
Teasing what happens in season 2, co-creators Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson say: "In series two we join our officers exactly a year after the events of series one, and now they’re facing a whole new set of professional and personal challenges. We’re very excited indeed about bringing you this next chapter of the Blue Lights story. Take a beat!"
Here's everything we know about Blue Lights season 2... * This article contains spoilers for Blue Lights season 1*
Blue Lights season 2 release date
Blue Lights season 2 premiered on Monday 15 April at 9 pm on BBC One. All six episodes were also released on BBC iPlayer. Episode 2 is being shown on BBC One on Monday 22 April at 9pm on BBC One.
Blue Lights season 2 trailer
The first trailer for the new series arrived at the end of March, check it out below...
Blue Lights season 2 plot
The rookie officers of the PSNI were shaken after the death of PC Gerry Cliff at the end of Blue Lights season 1, yet we sensed a renewed resolve from them to continue their work in the aftermath of that tragedy.
One man upon whom Gerry had a great influence was Constable Tommy Foster and following his mentor's death, the new recruit turned down a move so he could stay on the beat and serve the people of Belfast, just as Gerry had done for so many years.
Yet no one will have felt the loss of Gerry more than his partner, Sergeant Sandra Cliff, who'll need the support of her friends and colleagues in the months following his death.
Constable Grace Ellis may have some family issues to deal with following her son's brush with the law, yet we're hoping there might be a bit of romance between her and Stevie. Were we the only ones who thought they were going to kiss at the end of the last episode of season one?
Here's an official synopsis of the new series...
"Grace, Annie and Tommy are growing up fast as police officers, but nothing can prepare them for the turmoil they face every day. It’s a year since the fall of the McIntyre crime gang and the vacuum has been filled by rival gangs, all competing for dominance. Constable Shane Bradley is drafted in to help, but his motivations are unclear.
"Tommy is dangerously seduced by the world of intelligence policing, while Grace struggles to deal with her son’s absence, and growing feelings for fellow officer Stevie. As a young loyalist threatens to take over the city, the officers face a major gangland feud – culminating in a violent and devastating confrontation."
Blue Lights season 2 cast — who's in it?
The following cast members have returned...
- Siân Brooke (Constable Grace Ellis)
- Martin McCann (Constable Stephen 'Stevie' Neil)
- Katherine Devlin (Constable Annie Conlon)
- Nathan Braniff (Constable Tommy Foster)
- Joanne Crawford (Sergeant Helen McNally)
- Andi Osho (Sergeant Sandra Cliff)
- Hannah McClean (Constable Jen Robinson)
A host of new stars also have joined the show, including Frank Blake (The Border, Normal People) as new Constable Shane Bradley, along with Seamus O’Hara, who starred in the Academy Award-winning short film An Irish Goodbye, as Lee Thompson.
Seána Kerslake (Bad Sisters, Ballywalter) will play his sister Mags, Craig McGinlay (Cobra) will play Lee’s right-hand man Craig and Dan Gordon (Bloodlands) playing Mags and Lee’s Uncle Rab.
Derek Thompson, who played Casualty favourite Charlie Fairhead for several decades, also has a guest part.
He plays retired officer Robin Graham, whose past and conscience catch up with him when trainee solicitor Jen Robinson (Hannah McClean) investigates a decades old case that has dangerous implications for the present. Thompson, who was born in Belfast, is delighted to be a part of the crime drama...
“I loved the first series of Blue Lights and thought, as did the majority of my friends and colleagues, that it was the best new TV series of last year," he said in a BBC statement.
"I was thrilled and excited (star jumps in the living room) when I got the invitation to take part in series two. I was born in Belfast and was equally excited (more star jumps) to travel over to work on the show and pleased to report, having read the scripts, that I'm sure the fans will love the second series every bit as much as the first. Greatly looking forward to it myself as I'm one of them.”
