BBC’s “gripping” detective drama that’s a reboot of a beloved classic is for crime procedural fans

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A fresh adaptation of the beloved Inspector Lynley mystery novels penned by Elizabeth George, which have been bestsellers, is set to air on BBC this fall, and there are plenty of reasons to be thrilled!

Previously, the BBC has adapted this material before, with “The Inspector Lynley Mysteries” airing on BBC One from 2001 to 2008, over six seasons. In that series, Nathaniel Parker portrayed Detective Inspector Thomas “Tommy” Lynley, while Sharon Small, Lesley Vickerage, and Shaun Parkes also appeared.

In 2025, a fresh cast will step into the roles, with Daniel Mays among them (known from “Line of Duty” and “Bookish”). To keep you excited until the upcoming crime series premieres, here’s all the essential information you should know!

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What is the BBC’s Lynley about?

In this timeless mystery series, the main character goes by Tommy Lynley, a remarkable detective known for his exceptional skills, yet often perceived as an outsider within his police force because of his noble background. (BBC refers to him as a “brilliant police detective” and somewhat of a “nobleman among commoners.”)

Completing the pair who form an unusual team central to the storyline is Barbara Havers, a sergeant known for her unorthodox behavior and hailing from a working-class background.

In brief, despite having no apparent shared traits and defying all expectations, the unlikely pairing of Lynley and Havers transform into an unstoppable partnership, united by their shared commitment to uphold justice.

Their skills complement each other beautifully – his intellectual abilities and her intuition. They discover their rightful places only when they work together as a team.

Who is in the cast for the BBC’s new Lynley reboot?

In the upcoming series, the role of Detective Lynley is taken on by actor Leo Suter, who might be familiar to you from “Vikings: Valhalla” and “Sanditon”.

I’m thrilled to announce that I, Sofia Barclay, have been cast as DS Barbara Havers. Recently, you might have caught me in the gripping Prime Video series, “Prime Target,” where I starred alongside Leo Woodall. I’ve also made appearances in other popular shows like Apple TV’s smash hit “Ted Lasso” and Channel 4’s critically acclaimed comedy series, “We Are Lady Parts.

Previously, Daniel Mays has been seen with a fictitious police badge, portraying DCI Brian Nies. In an exclusive preview for The Hollywood Reporter, showrunner and writer Steve Thompson of Lynley offers a hint about the role that Mays’ character will play in the series.

He had spent a considerable amount of time working directly in the field, accumulating experience, wearing a uniform for an extended period, and eventually earning a promotion, as he shared. Yet, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of resentment towards Lynley, who appeared to be steeped in privilege.

Earlier on his Instagram, Daniel Mays gave fans a sneak peek into his character and shared that the reboot of Lynley is a captivating and intelligent crime drama. He also mentioned that he had a great time collaborating with co-stars Suter and Barclay.

The following actors also play significant roles: Niamh Walsh from “The English Game,” Michael Wokoye known for “This is Going to Hurt” and “The Stolen Girl,” and Joshua Sher, who has appeared in “Vera.

What is the BBC’s new Lynley reboot based on?

This fresh take on the story won’t rely on the original BBC series from the 2000s, but will create a separate self-contained narrative inspired by the written originals.

In a conversation with THR, Thompson stated that they’ve adapted newer novels for the big screen. He emphasized that their adaptation is self-contained, meaning viewers can approach it without any prior knowledge.

In addition to writing the novels, Elizabeth George is involved with the BBC series as an executive producer.

What is the release date for Lynley?

Although the specific release date is still unknown, it’s confirmed that the four-episode crime drama series is scheduled to premiere in the fall of 2025.

So far, we’ve had initial glimpses of the fresh actors joining the team, such as the leading pair, Lynley and Havers, along with DCI Nies portrayed by Mays. However, a trailer for the series has not been unveiled yet.

In the United Kingdom, “Lynley” is set to broadcast on BBC One and simultaneously debut on BBC iPlayer. For viewers in the U.S. and Canada, the series will become available on BritBox.

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2025-08-05 14:51