Robson Green and Liz White Lead New BBC Detective Drama Northumbria Mysteries

Robson Green stars as ex-con Joe Ruby alongside Liz White's Oxford-educated DI Rose O'Connell in the new BBC series Northumbria Mysteries. The eight-part drama begins this Friday, 23 October, at 2pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

Robson Green is a local acting legend and star of the new BBC detective drama Northumbria Mysteries. He plays Joe Ruby, an ex-convict and gambler with links to the criminal world. DI Rose O'Connell is played by Liz White, known for Life on Mars. The show pairs these contrasting characters together to solve crimes.

Show positions itself as successor to Vera for whodunnit fans

The show is positioned as a potential replacement for fans of Vera after its end in early 2025. Typically, new dramas take up to a year to air after filming, but Northumbria Mysteries will air much sooner. The BBC has confirmed the start date, offering a quick turnaround for viewers seeking a new investigative series.

Premiere details and filming locations across North East England

Northumbria Mysteries is filmed across the North East of England. Filming took place earlier this year in spring and summer. Locations used during filming include Alnwick, Morpeth, Seahouses, Rothbury, and Earsdon. The show will air every Friday afternoon from 2-2.45pm on BBC One, a slot that is not primetime TV.

Cast shares love for classic and modern whodunnits

The cast have shared their personal favourites from the detective genre. Robson Green stated his favourite on-screen detective duo were Starsky and Hutch. He met Paul Michael Glaser, who played Starsky, in the Caribbean. Green referenced the classic 1970s show and a 1970s ITV series called Whodunnit. He mentioned enjoying puzzles and solving things, like playing Cluedo.

Liz White said she has been watching quite a few whodunnits over the last couple of years. "I have been watching quite few of them over the last couple of years but at the moment I am particularly enjoying Ludwig series 2," she said. White praised David Mitchell's performance in Ludwig and said she is thrilled there will be a third series.

Industry figures praise British detective tradition

Other industry figures have also reflected on the genre. Gurjeet Singh said he loves whodunnits and called them a British institution. He mentioned favourite detective duos including Luther, Broadchurch, Death in Paradise, and Vera. Singh said one of his favourites has to be Sherlock and Watson, referencing the Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman Sherlock series.

Simon Callow said he is not addicted to whodunnits but enjoys watching them. He cited the 1934 film The Thin Man as a favourite. Robson Green, also known for Grantchester, summed up his own classic choice. "My favourite were Starsky and Hutch," he said.

The show airs every Friday afternoon from 2-2.45pm on BBC One starting this Friday.