Blue Lights (2023 TV series)
Updated: 12/10/2025, 10:39:04 AM Wikipedia source
Blue Lights is a Northern Irish police procedural television drama series set in the present day and based at the fictional Blackthorn police station in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Created and written by Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, the series was filmed in Belfast and directed by Gilles Bannier. It began broadcasting on BBC One on 27 March 2023. The first series followed three probationary police officers of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the experienced officers who train, mentor, and work with them. The second followed the same characters a year later as they tried to quell a loyalist feud in the city. Both series received critical praise and high viewership. A third series aired on 29 September 2025 and a fourth series has been commissioned by the BBC.
Infobox
Tables
| Series | Episodes | Originally released | Average viewership(millions) | ||
| First released | Last released | ||||
| 1 | 6 | 27 March 2023 (2023-03-27) | 1 May 2023 (2023-05-01) | 4.35 | |
| 2 | 6 | 15 April 2024 (2024-04-15) | 20 May 2024 (2024-05-20) | 4.48 | |
| 3 | 6 | 29 September 2025 (2025-09-29) | 3 November 2025 (2025-11-03) | 4.33 | |
| No.overall | No. inseason | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | UK viewers(millions) | |
| 1 | 1 | "The Code" | Gilles Bannier | Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson | 27 March 2023 (2023-03-27) | 4.68 | |
| New constables Grace, Annie and Tommy struggle with the demands of police work. The police clash with MI5 agents and associates of gangster James McIntyre. | |||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Bad Batch" | Gilles Bannier | Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson | 3 April 2023 (2023-04-03) | 4.25 | |
| A poisonous batch of drugs turns up across Belfast. Annie wonders whom she can trust. | |||||||
| 3 | 3 | "The Fear" | Gilles Bannier | Fran Harris | 10 April 2023 (2023-04-10) | 4.17 | |
| A paramilitary-style assault case has Grace determined to bring the McIntyres to their knees. Meanwhile, Angela becomes increasingly desperate. | |||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Full Moon Fever" | Gilles Bannier | Fran Harris | 17 April 2023 (2023-04-17) | 4.34 | |
| The team attempt to cover for each other during a busy night shift. | |||||||
| 5 | 5 | "The Q Word" | Gilles Bannier | Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson | 24 April 2023 (2023-04-24) | 4.23 | |
| Mo risks his relationship with his father, and Tommy is put to the test. | |||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Love the One You're With" | Gilles Bannier | Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson | 1 May 2023 (2023-05-01) | 4.44 | |
| Truths are revealed as the team works together in the aftermath of the arms deal. | |||||||
| No.overall | No. inseason | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | UK viewers(millions) | |
| 7 | 1 | "This Too Shall Pass" | Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson | Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson | 15 April 2024 (2024-04-15) | 4.82 | |
| A year into the job, the team are faced with a drug fuelled crime wave that leads them into a loyalist estate. A violent clash puts Stevie and Grace's working relationship at risk. | |||||||
| 8 | 2 | "Iceberg" | Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson | Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson | 22 April 2024 (2024-04-22) | 4.41 | |
| A loyalist gangland feud turns up the pressure on the section. Annie makes an impetuous decision on a night out. | |||||||
| 9 | 3 | "Love Knows" | Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson | Bronagh Taggart | 29 April 2024 (2024-04-29) | 4.48 | |
| As tensions grow in Mount Eden, a response call forces Stevie to confront his past. Annie deals with the consequences of an impulsive decision. | |||||||
| 10 | 4 | "The Stamp of Nature" | Jack Casey | Noel McCann | 6 May 2024 (2024-05-06) | 4.19 | |
| Lee is the new boss in Mount Eden. Under pressure from Canning to get results, Shane leads Tommy into danger. | |||||||
| 11 | 5 | "Where I Want To Be" | Jack Casey | Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson | 13 May 2024 (2024-05-13) | 4.33 | |
| Annie's job is on the line. As Lee consolidates power, Stevie and Grace are thrown back together on a response call, with terrible consequences. | |||||||
| 12 | 6 | "The Loyal" | Jack Casey | Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson | 20 May 2024 (2024-05-20) | 4.62 | |
| Mount Eden descends into chaos as Grace tries to get Henry out from under Lee's control. Happy finally learns the truth. | |||||||
| No.overall | No. inseason | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | UK viewers(millions) |
| 13 | 1 | "The Party" | Jack Casey | Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson | 29 September 2025 (2025-09-29) | 4.07 |
| 14 | 2 | "Skipper" | Jack Casey | Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson | 6 October 2025 (2025-10-06) | 3.83 |
| 15 | 3 | "The Bird" | Jack Casey | Fran Harris | 13 October 2025 (2025-10-13) | 4.36 |
| 16 | 4 | "The Parting Glass" | Angela Griffin | Fran Harris | 20 October 2025 (2025-10-20) | 4.30 |
| 17 | 5 | "Ordo Ab Chao" | Angela Griffin | Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson | 27 October 2025 (2025-10-27) | 4.59 |
| 18 | 6 | "World of Our Own" | Angela Griffin | Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson | 3 November 2025 (2025-11-03) | 4.85 |
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
| 2023 | 28th National Television Awards | Best New Drama | Blue Lights | Nominated | |
| TV Choice Awards | Best New Drama Series | Blue Lights | Nominated | ||
| Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards | Best Editing – Scripted | Peggy Koretzky | Nominated | ||
| 2024 | IFTA Film & Drama Awards | Best Drama | Blue Lights | Nominated | |
| Best Script | Blue Lights | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor | Martin McCann | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Richard Dormer | Won | |||
| 2025 | Broadcast Awards | Best Drama Series or Serial | Blue Lights | Won | |
| British Academy Television Awards | Best Drama Series | Blue Lights | Won |
References
- The Nationalhttps://www.thenational.scot/news/national/uk-today/24219413.bbcs-blue-lights-full-cast-list-tv/
- Television Business Internationalhttps://tbivision.com/2022/10/17/exclusive-blue-lights-creators-on-taking-bbc-police-drama-from-script-to-screen/#close-modal
- Belfast Livehttps://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/tv/bbc-blue-lights-series-3-30955586
- BBC Media Centrehttps://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/mediapacks/blue-lights
- BBC Onehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0f2cxpr/episodes/player
- BARBhttps://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/most-viewed-programmes/
- BBC Onehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0f2cxpr/blue-lights?seriesId=p0f2cxpr-structural-3-m002f1mg
- BBC Media Centrehttps://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2022/cast-announced-for-bbc-one-drama-blue-lights
- Backstagehttps://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/uk-whats-filming-bbcs-new-crime-drama-blue-lights-74752/
- PressPartyhttps://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/BBC1/view/321216/
- Digital Spyhttps://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a43437723/bbc-blue-lights-review-line-of-duty/
- Radio Timeshttps://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/blue-lights-writer-real-tragedy-newsupdate/
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/mar/19/brutality-in-bbc-drama-blue-lights-shocked-cast-who-had-not-lived-through-troubles
- BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68310062
- Digital Spyhttps://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a46812125/blue-lights-season-2-cast-bbc/
- Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/set-pictures-from-series-2-of-bbcs-blue-lights-reveal-possible-new-recruits/a1511634790.html
- Radio Timeshttps://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/blue-lights-season-2-first-look-newsupdate/
- BBC Media Centrehttps://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/blue-lights-series-2-trailer
- The Nationalhttps://www.thenational.scot/news/national/uk-today/24219413.bbcs-blue-lights-full-cast-list-tv/
- Irish Newshttps://www.irishnews.com/entertainment/blue-lights-new-cast-and-loyalist-centric-plot-revealed-for-second-series-of-bbcs-hit-belfast-cop-show-NHGYYJCFD5GGBOTPR5ZT6LAU3Y/
- Digital Spyhttps://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a46889172/bbc-blue-lights-renewed/
- Digital Spyhttps://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a60332948/blue-lights-season-2-trailer-release-date/
- Radio Timeshttps://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/blue-lights-bbc-cast/
- The Standardhttps://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/blue-lights-season-two-sian-brooke-who-cast-characters-bbc-b1151512.html
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/blue_lights/s01
- The Timeshttps://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/succession-review-its-bleak-as-hell-but-i-love-it-nhrptvp2c
- The Timeshttps://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/blue-lights-review-finally-a-police-procedural-that-s-worth-your-time-bcgxh7l67
- Daily Telegraphhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2023/03/27/blue-lights-bbc-one-review-belfast-cop-drama-deserves-much-hype/
- Financial Timeshttps://www.ft.com/content/a00d7711-b5e2-4ff9-ad7f-8e262d4edaca
- Irish Independenthttps://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-reviews/northern-irish-cop-drama-blue-lights-lives-up-to-its-great-expectations/42412840.html
- The Independenthttps://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/blue-lights-review-northern-ireland-b2309227.html
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/may/01/blue-lights-this-thrilling-cop-drama-is-one-of-tvs-best-shows
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/mar/27/blue-lights-review-dont-sleep-on-this-fantastically-tense-belfast-cop-show
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/apr/24/tv-tonight-excitement-mounts-in-a-superb-ni-cop-show
- The Heraldhttps://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23499820.frankie-boyle-charles-r-windsors-blue-lights-reviewed/
- Espinofhttps://www.espinof.com/criticas/tiene-seis-episodios-absolutamente-imprescindible-acaba-estrenarse-mejores-series-policiacas-2023
- The Spectatorhttps://www.spectator.co.uk/article/blue-lights-iplayer-bbc-northern-ireland-police-drama/
- El Paishttps://english.elpais.com/culture/2023-11-15/blue-lights-not-your-average-police-series.html
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/blue_lights/s02
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/apr/15/blue-lights-series-two-review-last-years-breakout-police-hit-is-as-beautifully-tense-as-ever
- The Independenthttps://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/blue-lights-series-2-review-episode-1-b2527885.html
- Irish Independenthttps://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-reviews/blue-lights-review-its-an-undeniably-watchable-cop-show-but-lets-not-pretend-its-the-best-thing-on-tv/a2106304967.html
- Daily Telegraphhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2024/04/15/blue-lights-bbc-one-review-series-2-britains-best-drama/
- Financial Timeshttps://www.ft.com/content/be9538b2-5368-41bd-bc81-defc4149c044
- The Timeshttps://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/blue-lights-bbc-review-police-drama-belfast-5x9q26wkd
- The Timeshttps://www.thetimes.com/article/baby-reindeer-review-what-if-you-had-a-stalker-and-liked-it-hl0tk2m2t
- The Timeshttps://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/what-a-shame-blue-lights-has-become-a-peak-millennial-cop-show-d73hmt5mv
- The Arts Deskhttps://www.theartsdesk.com/tv/blue-lights-series-2-bbc-one-review-still-our-best-cop-show-despite-slacker-structure
- Scotsmanhttps://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/film-and-tv/aidan-smiths-tv-week-blue-lights-is-as-gritty-as-the-wire-and-almost-as-great-4595700
- The Heraldhttps://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/24261523.blue-lights-police-drama-roars-back-second-series/
- Belfast Livehttps://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/tv/nta-2023-blue-lights-loses-27655778.amp
- Yorkshire Posthttps://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/film-and-tv/tv-choice-awards-nominees-2024-all-creatures-great-and-small-happy-valley-and-james-martin-all-up-for-awards-4395456
- Royal Television Societyhttps://rts.org.uk/award/rts-craft-design-awards-2023
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/2024/03/irish-film-tv-awards-nominees-2024-cillian-murphy-andrew-scott-lies-we-tell-kin-full-list-1235858253/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2024-irish-film-television-awards-winners-cillian-murphy-1235871993/
- Broadcastawards.co.ukhttps://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcast-awards-2025/winners
- BAFTAhttps://web.archive.org/web/20250511221148/https://www.bafta.org/media-centre/press-releases/winners-2025-tv-awards