'Hope Street' — release date, cast, and everything you need to know

The cast of 'Hope Street'
(Image credit: BBC/ Long Story TV/ Christopher Barr)

Hope Street is a crime drama now streaming on BBC1 and BritBox, and it's the latest drama by Paul Marquess and Donna Wiffen at Long Story TV. 

The drama is set in the fictional coastal town of Port Devine on the Northern Ireland coast, with a focus on the town's police department.

Speaking about the series, Paul Marquess said: "After nearly 30 years of producing drama in England, I am beyond excited to be heading home to make Hope Street

"Set on Northern Ireland’s stunning coastline, the series is a celebration of local writing, acting, and production talent. Warm, engaging, and funny, Hope Street presents Northern Ireland to the world in a fresh new light.”

Here's everything we know about BBC's Hope Street!

'Hope Street' release date

Hope Street had its UK premiere on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021, at 7 pm on BBC1 in Northern Ireland. Episodes have continued to air weekly, with the season finale scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. 

The show starts on BBC1 in other regions at 2:15 pm on Monday, Jan. 31, and will air on weekdays at the same. If you'd prefer to binge-watch Hope Street it's available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

The series is scheduled to premiere exclusively on BritBox on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in the United States. Check out our full list of BritBox shows to see what else you can enjoy on the streaming service.

Emily Powers, Head of BritBox North America, commented: “Hope Street offers a modern twist and a fresh setting for the mystery shows that are popular with BritBox fans. It’s a new take on a beloved genre, set in an area rich in history.”

'Hope Street' plot

Hope Street is set in the fictional town of Port Devine, a sleepy Northern Irish seaside town. The series follows the sudden arrival of DC Leila Hussain (Amara Karan). Leila is English and the first Muslim police officer in the town’s history. 

According to the BBC, the series will "celebrate the warm-hearted and good-humored people of the town — as they build a future together rather than dwelling on the differences of the past".

Each episode features a self-contained crime story, but the show follows the ups and downs of those people working on the force as they deal with everyday policing in and around Port Devine.

Carla-Maria Lawson, Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak, adds: "I’m thrilled that we’ll be bringing the beautiful backdrop of Northern Ireland to BBC One Daytime viewers in this exciting new drama, which is coming from such a stellar team.  I’m sure our audiences will love the intriguing characters who inhabit Hope Street and relish soaking in their surroundings.”

Callum McCarthy (Niall Wright) and Leila Hussain (Amara Karan) in 'Hope Street'.

Niall Wright and Amara Karan in 'Hope Street'. (Image credit: BBC)

'Hope Street' cast

Hope Street is created by Susanne Farrell (Dirty God) and Paul Marquess (London Kills) and is written by Farrell, Jess Lea (EastEnders), Christine Murphy (Emmerdale), Stuart Drennan (Hollyoaks), and Shazia Rashid (EastEnders).

The shows cast list is:

  • Brid Brennan (Brooklyn) as Concepta
  • Des McAleer (The Crown) as Barry
  • Ciarán McMenamin (Primeval) as Duty Inspector Finn O'Hare
  • Amara Karan (The Night of) as DC Leila Hussain
  • Niall Wright (Dani's Castle) as PC Callum McCarthy
  • Kerri Quinn (Three Families) as Sergeant Marlene Pettigrew
  • Niamh McGrady (The Fall) as Nicole Devine

Is there a trailer?

BritBox released a trailer for the show shortly ahead of the series' US premiere. It shows us Alimah getting right to work in Hope Street. Although Port Devine looks picturesque on the surface, this trailer teases some of the many cases that the force will tackle in the first series.