BBC's hit police drama hailed "explosive" and "thrilling as ever" as it returns to TV tonight

BBC's Belfast-set police drama Blue Lights has debuted a fourth season to positive reviews as the response officers played by Siân Brooke and Martin McCann return to the streets.

Created by Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, the police procedural first aired in 2023 to critical acclaim. Back on BBC One today (29 September), the new season takes place at a migrant resource centre where a violent crowd of anti-immigrant protesters weaponises social media to spread their message of hatred.

The series then touches on Grace (Brooke) fearing for her safety and that of her loved ones after her name and service number are exposed online.

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Blue Lights season 4 plays with current themes, with Radio Times arguing that this instalment is the opposite of a slow burn in their review. The publication called chapter four "another explosive run" as Game of Thrones star Richard Dormer also returns in a flashback episode.

Elsewhere, Blue Lights has been described as "as topical and thrilling as ever" (via The Guardian).

"The Belfast police drama doesn't mess around," the review reads. "Within the first half hour of the fourth series, we’re treated to an intense set piece that touches on police cuts, the migration crisis, live-streaming culture and the changing meaning of nationalism – all while still working brilliantly as a thriller."

The rave reviews appear to confirm the words of actor Nathan Braniff, who plays Constable Tommy Foster, who teased the new season will be "the best one yet".

"It's much more the same of the things that everybody loves about Blue Lights," he told Radio Times. "And my character Tommy, for example, he's working out his relationship, and it's all a bit chaotic."

Blue Lights season 4 premieres on BBC One on 29 September. Seasons 1-3 are available to stream on iPlayer.

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Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. 

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).