The popular crime drama Granite Harbour returns for a third season, with DCI Cora Mac investigating a new, challenging murder case in Aberdeen. Since it first aired in 2022, the show has become well-loved for its realistic police work and the beautiful scenery of Aberdeen, also known as Scotland’s Granite City.
After two popular seasons, the show returns with the detectives from Scotland’s Major Investigation Team – and introduces some fresh faces involved in their newest case.
Detectives are now investigating the death of teenager Lisa Sterling, discovered at the base of a steep cliff after attending a birthday party on an upscale property. The estate owner, Richard Loughty, appears friendly and generous, but investigators wonder if he’s concealing something.
Davis and his team soon begin investigating a suspicious death, but the case rapidly becomes more complicated as they reveal hidden secrets within a close-knit travelling community. These secrets could have far-reaching consequences, and the team is left to wonder who is involved in this unfolding mystery.
DCI Cora MacMillan (Dawn Steele)
Dawn Steele, known for her role in Holby City, returns as DCI Cora MacMillan, who leads a major crime unit. She guides her team through increasingly complex investigations, ensuring they stay on track as each case unfolds.
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Dawn is known for being a strict leader, but she’s hinted that her character will be very different in upcoming episodes, especially after the surprising firing of DI Mallick in season two.
Dawn shared that Cora seems more relaxed and the situation with Mallick last year helped her connect with her colleagues. She’s truly dedicated to her work. However, Cora is also dealing with some personal difficulties – she’s facing a concerning health issue.
It felt good to let her see a softer, more open side of me. But she’s also incredibly stressed, trying to crack the case and navigate the internal investigation surrounding Mallick’s firing.
Besides playing Dr. Ange Godard on the medical drama, Dawn has been a familiar face on television, with past roles in shows like Monarch of the Glen, Wild at Heart, and Shetland.
DC Davis Lindo (Romario Simpson)
Romario Simpson, known for his roles in shows like Andor and Django, returns as Detective Constable Davis Lindo. Davis, a former military police officer, moved to Aberdeen and has become a highly skilled detective. The third season will explore his life outside of work.
Romario explained that he’s struggling to balance his work life with a budding romance, and he knows they should remain separate. He’s attempting to keep the two things distinct, but it’s proving more difficult than he anticipated. Soon, though, he discovers that secrets rarely stay hidden for long.
The third season of Granite Harbour features a dramatic fire scene, which the actor enjoyed filming immensely. He described working with real flames as an unforgettable experience, explaining that despite safety precautions, the heat and realism created a lot of adrenaline and excitement.
DS Lara “Bart” Bartlett (Hannah Donaldson)
Detective Sergeant Lara Bartlett, nicknamed “Bart,” will return in the show Granite Harbour, with Hannah Donaldson again playing the part.
Bart has been mentoring Davis ever since he joined the Aberdeen police force, and remains a key supporter as she’s promoted to Detective Inspector. According to Hannah, Bart received the promotion because of the upcoming court case involving DI Mallick.
The new detective inspector is facing challenges despite her promotion. She’s still adjusting after her colleague, DI Mallick, unexpectedly left, and some people are questioning whether she’s the right person for the job.
Hannah explained that while Bart was finally getting a chance to move forward, her boss, Mac, had trouble trusting her after Mallick’s firing. This puts Bart in a difficult position again – she’s torn between doing what’s expected of her and following the lead of her partner, Lindo, who tends to trust his gut feelings more than he follows orders.
Who has joined the cast?
Season 3 features a new group of people – suspects, witnesses, and town locals – all connected to the central mystery. Joining the cast is Alastair Mackenzie as Richard Loughty, a wealthy landowner who appears kind but might be hiding something.
Alastair described Richard Loughty as a likeable and highly regarded landowner known for his generosity, particularly towards the travellers living on his property. However, Alastair hinted that problems arise when strange events begin occurring on the estate, ultimately leading to serious difficulties for Loughty.
Alastair was delighted to work with his former “Monarch of the Glen” co-star, Dawn Steele. He described them as close friends and said it was wonderful being on set together again, even though they didn’t share many scenes. He also mentioned feeling a sense of nostalgia.
John Gordon, a well-known actor, joins the cast as Chief Constable Alan Willis. His character will be central to the unfolding investigation as new developments emerge. “I portray Chief Constable Alan Willis, who’s in charge of the case,” Gordon explained.
This case is particularly delicate due to its connection to several groups – Travellers, affluent landowners, and local residents. As a result, there’s significant public and political pressure to resolve it quickly.
There could be some conflict brewing, as he’s known to be a strict leader who doesn’t tolerate much misbehavior, especially from Cora. Adding to the mix are new faces like Ellie Haddington, Bailey Newsome, Jess Douglas-Welsh, and Ryan Fletcher (known for his role in Pennyworth), but it remains to be seen how they’ll all contribute to solving the unfolding mystery.
Granite Harbour airs this Friday (24 July) from 8pm on BBC1.
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2026-07-24 19:50