As part of its initiative called the North East Digital Accelerator, the BBC has announced a slate of new commissions and development opportunities in the North East.
Ad
One of these is a brand new crime drama titled The Northumbria Mysteries and starring Robson Green. Set against the sweeping Northumberland coastline and its surrounding market towns, the series centres on an unlikely crime-solving duo, including Green as Joe Ruby, a jack-of-all-trades whose life has been shaped by mistakes, regrets and missed opportunities.
He will be joined in what has been described as a "classic odd-couple pairing" by Oxford-educated DI Rose O’Connell, a rarefied intellectual and deep thinker with a brilliant mind and an ice-cool disposition. Casting to be announced for Rose is yet to be announced.
The eight part series, which will begin filming this spring, is set to be produced by Lonesome Pine Productions, a company based in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Lesley Douglas, executive producer and co-founder of Lonesome Pine Productions, said in a statement: "We could not be happier to have Robson Green lead the cast and bring Joe Ruby to life, within the magnificent backdrop of Northumberland. Working with the BBC to realise these characters has been a labour of love."
Robson Green in Grantchester season 8. Kudos Film and TV for ITV1
Other announcements regarding the North East Digital Accelerator include the fact that the new adaptation of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ will be filmed at The Northern Studios in Hartlepool, as well as on location in Hartlepool and Sunderland.
Meanwhile, the BBC has announced that two production companies based in the North East region will each make three films for The One Show, and four independent production companies have been selected to take part in the Digital Accelerator.
Want to see this content?
This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.
These companies are Adventure Alliance Films, based in County Durham, Film Nova, based in Gateshead, Northern Child, based in Newcastle Upon Tyne and Wander Films, based in Middlesbrough. All of these companies will receive ongoing support from BBC and North East Screen teams, including mentorship, editorial and business guidance.
News of The Northumbria Mysteries's commission comes as Robson Green's long-running crime drama, Grantchester, is set to come to an end with its upcoming 11th season.
The Northumbria Mysteries will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
