Why Blue Lights season 3’s deliciously evil new villain is the best yet

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If you thought Blue Lights was at its best with its BAFTA-winning second season, you’re in for a surprise.

The show’s new six-episode arc began tonight, and it introduces Dana Morgan (Cathy Tyson), the owner of a private members’ club, as a new type of villain the series hasn’t seen before: a prosperous, accomplished woman who blends into everyday life. And if the wonderfully wicked criminal telling a gang member that his life had “sh*t itself on the carpet right there” wasn’t enough to convince you – trust us, she’s the best villain the show has had so far.

Unlike the typical tough, gun-wielding gang boss seeking revenge, Morgan is a businesswoman who operates from the shadows, skillfully controlling events without drawing attention to herself (at least, that’s what current information suggests).

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I really got into Blue Lights, and I noticed something interesting about the villains. In the first and second series, the bad guys – James McIntyre (played by John Lynch) and then Lee Thompson (Seamus O’Hara) – were always on the police’s list of suspects, even if catching them was tough. But this new villain, Morgan, is different. He barely seems to cross paths with the police in Blackthorn at all, which makes him even more unsettling, honestly.

Cathy Tyson explained to Digital Spy while filming in Belfast in May that her character’s biggest fear is drawing attention to herself. She pointed out that what makes the character particularly unsettling is her relatability. “She’s just like everyone else,” Tyson said. “There’s a real sense of vulnerability there.” While villains often appear untouchable, this character isn’t always sure of herself. “She’s always conscious of that; she doesn’t take anything for granted.”

However, it’s important not to mistake being vulnerable for lacking morals. According to Declan Lawn, the executive producer and co-creator of Blue Lights, Morgan is the most “amoral” character across the show’s three seasons.

We’ve already seen a hint of this quality when Tommy (Nathan Braniff) and Shane (Frank Blake) rushed to a members-only club to help someone overdosing on cocaine. At the scene, Morgan confidently and falsely told paramedics that the person hadn’t used any illegal drugs, showing no sign of doubt or concern.

The way this character’s lack of empathy is hidden behind a facade of wealth and sophistication is both captivating and demonstrates that Blue Lights is a show that truly invests in its villains. The antagonist isn’t simply ‘evil’; she’s a complex, multi-layered woman, and that is just as important as the heroes we root for.

As the show goes on, Morgan won’t be the main focus. According to Cathy, her character “has few words on the page,” but the third series of Blue Lights still explores fresh themes and introduces a complex villain. This villain provides a fascinating look at what makes people tick, their sense of right and wrong, and the impact of social background.

Plus, the show manages to do all of this while still maintaining the realistic and intense drama that originally made it so successful.

Could you ask for more?

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2025-09-30 00:19