Calling all detective drama fans! Channel 5 is continuing to build on its slate of must-watch shows and the latest one to add to your watchlist is Cooper and Fry.
The superb new detective series is based on the bestselling Stephen Booth novels and follows a pair of young, mismatched detectives, played by Downton Abbey (https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/lifestyle/a570356/downton-abbey-movie-release-date-cast-spoilers/)'s Robert James-Collier and Doctor Who's Mandip Gill.
The official synopsis continues: “As their personal lives begin to intertwine, a unique friendship begins to form… But it won’t always be easy.” Intriguing!
The show is set in the Peak District and will consist of four two-hour episodes, with each one based on an early book in the series, such as Black Dog (https://www.google.com/search?q=Black+Dog&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari&ved=2ahUKEwjD05--3OyQAxUnXEEAHWOOKFcQgK4QegYIAAgAEAc). The series follows the mismatched partnership of the two detectives as they solve crimes.
After a body is unearthed on a Derbyshire farm during renovations, DC Ben Cooper and DC Diane Fry are in a search for the truth.
Aided by DS Todd Eland and DI Paul Hitchens, the two detectives dig into the murky history of Tanglewood Farm.
James-Collier will play Ben Cooper, an affable local cop, who's thrown together with guarded newcomer Diane Fry (Gill) to investigate a series of strange deaths in the mystery-shrouded Peak District.
And while they might not immediately seem like a match made in heaven, an unlikely partnership forms, which could even blossom into friendship.
With the series set to arrive on Channel 5 this November, here’s everything you need to know about it, including the plot, cast, and release date.
Although little else has been revealed in terms of plot, we do know that the series will adapt four of Stephen Booth’s early novels including Black Dog, Dying to Sin, Blind to the Bones and Dancing with the Virgins. Currently, there are 18 Cooper and Fry novels – meaning that, excitingly, there’s plenty of scope for future series, too.
Robert James-Collier, who played polarising figure Thomas Barrow in Downton Abbey (pictured above), takes on the role of Cooper. Meanwhile Mandip Gill, who played Yasmin Khan in Doctor Who and starred in Curfew, will star as Fry.
Gill has played a police role before, acting as a PC in mischievous sitcom Can You Keep a Secret? (https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/lifestyle/a61955479/dawn-french-can-you-keep-a-secret/) alongside Dawn French (https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/lifestyle/a39163318/dawn-french-interview/). Both co-stars cut their teeth in soaps, with James-Collier appearing in Coronation Street and Gill on Hollyoaks.