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Doctor Who star's new detective series Cooper & Fry confirms start date – and it's soon

The 5 drama will be coming to our screens later this month.

Published: Monday, 3 November 2025 at 3:44 pm

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It's the perfect time of year to get caught up in a brand new drama, so it couldn't be better timing that Cooper & Fry is landing on our screens sooner than we initially thought.

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The series is now been confirmed to be launching on 5 on Tuesday 18th November at 8pm, with episodes airing weekly.

Leading the cast are two fan-favourite TV stars – former Doctor Who companion Mandip Gill and Downton Abbey's Rob James-Collier, who play the show's leading mismatched detective duo.

The official synopsis for the series reveals: "Set in the mystery-shrouded Peak District, DC Ben Cooper, an affable local, is thrown together with guarded newcomer DC Diane Fry, to investigate a string of mysterious deaths."

Based on the bestselling novels by author Stephen Booth, Cooper & Fry will be made up of four two-hour episodes, each based on a different novel in the series: Black Dog, Dying to Sin, Blind to the Bones and Dancing with the Virgins.

Scroll through a collection of first-look images of Cooper & Fry below:

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Rob James-Collier as DC Ben Hooper sneaking behind a corner in an rural exterior in Cooper & Fry.

Mandip Gill and Rob James-Collier in costume as Fry and Cooper, respectively, looking at the camera in a portrait.

Mandip Gill and Rob James-Collier in costume as Fry and Cooper, respectively, looking at the camera.

DC Ben Cooper, played by Rob James-Collier, and Isobel Cooper, played by Charlotte Bradley, talk across a table in Cooper & Fry.

Mandip Gill as DC Diane Fry standing inside a cottage holding a book in Cooper & Fry.

DC Ben Cooper and DC Diane Fry walk on a green in front of a car in a long shot of a rural exterior for Cooper & Fry.

DC Diane Fry, played by Mandip Gill, shown holding a package while searching a van in Cooper & Fry.

Mandip Gill as DC Diane Fry taking notes in a rural exterior in Cooper & Fry.

Rob James-Collier as DC Ben Hooper sneaking behind a corner in an rural exterior in Cooper & Fry.

Mandip Gill and Rob James-Collier in costume as Fry and Cooper, respectively, looking at the camera in a portrait.

Mandip Gill and Rob James-Collier in costume as Fry and Cooper, respectively, looking at the camera.

DC Ben Cooper, played by Rob James-Collier, and Isobel Cooper, played by Charlotte Bradley, talk across a table in Cooper & Fry.

Mandip Gill as DC Diane Fry standing inside a cottage holding a book in Cooper & Fry.

DC Ben Cooper and DC Diane Fry walk on a green in front of a car in a long shot of a rural exterior for Cooper & Fry.

DC Diane Fry, played by Mandip Gill, shown holding a package while searching a van in Cooper & Fry.

Mandip Gill as DC Diane Fry taking notes in a rural exterior in Cooper & Fry.

Rob James-Collier as DC Ben Hooper sneaking behind a corner in an rural exterior in Cooper & Fry.

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Paramount

Paramount

Paramount

Paramount

5/Clapperboard

Paramount

Clapperboard/5

Clapperboard/5

The series was announced alongside a number of new commissions for 5, which also included psychological drama The Family Secret and France-set thriller Missed Call.

At the time of the shows' commissions, deputy chief content officer and head of scripted at Paramount UK Sebastian Cardwell said: “We’re incredibly proud to unveil this new slate of scripted commissions, which showcases the breadth and ambition of 5’s storytelling.

"From brand new thrillers and character-driven mysteries to the much-anticipated return of audience favourites, we’re continuing to build a rich and distinctive drama offering."

Read more:

The Cooper & Fry synopsis also teases of their unlikely dynamic: "They must learn to work together to get results. As their personal lives begin to intertwine, a unique friendship begins to form... but it won't always be easy."

As for just how things will unfold for the two detectives, we'll have to wait and see!

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Cooper & Fry begins on Tuesday 18th November at 8pm on 5.

Add Cooper & Fry to your watchlist when it arrives on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Morgan Cormack, smiling against a lime green background

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering everything drama-related on TV and streaming. She previously worked at Stylist as an Entertainment Writer. Alongside her past work in content marketing and as a freelancer, she possesses a BA in English Literature.

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