BBC unveils first look at coastal town-set drama centred on an 'unlikely duo caught up in a crime'

The BBC has unveiled a first look at Shy & Lola, the upcoming drama starring Hayley Squires and Bel Powley. Focusing on an unlikely duo who are brought together by a crime, this could be a huge hit for the broadcaster.

Shy (Squires) is a down-on-her-luck cleaner dreaming of a better life in Portugal, while Lola (Powley) is a model-turned-grifter who arrives in a North England coastal town with "trouble at her heels".

Though they have differing backgrounds, the pair's lives are entwined after they become entangled in a murder. Now familiar with the small-scale criminal underworld, the duo must consider if they wish to carry on down that avenue.

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Written by Amanda Coe, the BBC has released several photos from the six-part series, with Squires and Powley being at the centre. There is also a glimpse at some other cast members, who were announced today.

As per the latest update, the darkly comic thriller will also feature Amber Grappy, Matthew McNulty, Elizabeth Berrington, Edward Bluemel, Jordan Bolger, Thomas Turgoose, Joseph Ayre and Melanie-Joyce Bermudez.

Upon the announcement of the series back in February, Coe said: "With such a rich and spiky central relationship at its core, Shy & Lola is a dream of a show to write, full of fun, action and emotion."

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said viewers would "be in for a real treat", adding: "Shy and Lola are an unlikely duo, the classic odd couple, who get caught up in a murder – and that's just the start of it."

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"Amanda has written a brilliantly bold series centred on a dynamic female duo, which blends dark comedy with propulsive storytelling," said executive producer Rachelle Constant. "We're thrilled to have Hayley and Bel as our leads, alongside an exceptional cast and crew."

The drama will follow the titular's duo as "exploited novices" to crime kingpins, with the logline teasing: "As they build an operation that threatens to blow the local bad guys out of the water, opposing futures beckon."

Shy & Lola will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2027.

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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media.  His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.